The Mets will break spring training as favorites in the NL East if their pitching problems are resolved and they stay healthy. Offensively, when healthy, they have the potential to be imposing.

They will open the season with LF Moises Alou on the disabled list following surgery to repair a hernia.

ROTATION:

1. LHP Johan Santana

2. RHP Pedro Martinez

3. LHP Oliver Perez

4. RHP John Maine

5. RHP Orlando Hernandez

When you pay somebody $150 million, he's your Opening Day starter. Santana will get the ball, followed by Martinez, who has been healthy all spring. Perez remains hot and cold, but Maine seems primed for a big year. If Hernandez can get his mechanics down by early April, he should get the fifth spot. If the Mets decide to open with five starters right away, the fifth will be RHP Mike Pelfrey.

BULLPEN:

LHP Billy Wagner (closer)

RHP Aaron Heilman

LHP Pedro Feliciano

LHP Scott Schoeneweis

RHP Jorge Sosa

RHP Matt Wise

RHP Steven Register

Wagner is set as closer, with Heilman and Feliciano the righty-lefty setup relievers with the expectation of RHP Duaner Sanchez not being ready to open the season. Balance is the strength of the bullpen. Schoeneweis, Sosa and Wise all have the ability to work multiple innings. The Mets like Rule 5 pick Register, and Sanchez not being ready could help him stick.

LINEUP:

1. SS Jose Reyes

2. 2B Luis Castillo

3. 3B David Wright

4. CF Carlos Beltran

5. 1B Carlos Delgado

6. RF Ryan Church

7. LF Angel Pagan

8. C Brian Schneider

The top five in the order are set. Reyes appears to have put last season's second-half funk behind him. The second spot in the order was a black hole until Castillo was acquired from Minnesota. He's recovering from offseason surgery on both knees. Wright just keeps getting better. Beltran is also coming off knee surgery, so it's doubtful he'll be a big base stealer. The Mets are hoping for a bounce-back season from Delgado. Church should give the Mets the consistency they didn't get from Lastings Milledge. Pagan capitalized on LF Moises Alou's injury. Schneider is primarily a defensive player.

RESERVES:

C Ramon Castro

INF/OF Marlon Anderson

INF Damion Easley

OF Brady Clark

Castro has been productive off the bench, but he gets exposed over time. He's battling hamstring problems. Anderson is a premier pinch hitter. Easley can play both the infield and outfield and appears to have come back from a severe ankle injury.

ROOKIE WATCH: RHP Eddie Kunz, who was the Mets' first selection in last year's draft, could see some time if RHP Duaner Sanchez's recovery from shoulder surgery is delayed. The Mets would not part with OF Fernando Martinez in talks with Minnesota for LHP Johan Santana. Martinez vowed he'll play in Shea in the stadium's final year.

MEDICAL WATCH:

LF Moises Alou (hernia) had surgery March 6. He went on the disabled list retroactive to March 21.

LHP Jason Vargas (hip) is scheduled to have surgery March 24. He went on the disabled list retroactive to March 21.

RHP Orlando Hernandez (right foot surgery in October 2007) is feeling fine, but his new wind-up to compensate for the injury is progressing slowly.

RHP Duaner Sanchez (right shoulder surgery in April 2007) has pitched without discomfort this spring, but he is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.

C Ramon Castro (strained right hamstring) is day-to-day.

RHP Ambiorix Burgos (Tommy John surgery in August 2007) was placed on the disabled list retroactive to March 21. He likely will miss the entire season.

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