The Mets opened spring training seeking a fifth starter, looking to stabilize their bullpen and hoping to solidify their bench.
ROTATION:
1. LHP Tom Glavine
2. RHP Orlando Hernandez
3. RHP John Maine
4. LHP Oliver Perez
5. RHP Mike Pelfrey
How well the Mets do this year largely depends on what they get from 41-year-old pitchers Glavine and Hernandez. Glavine has had a good spring, but Hernandez has been bothered by little aches, which probably won't go away.
There was little doubt Maine and Perez, based on their strong showing last year down the stretch and in the playoffs, would make the rotation. Pelfrey outpitched RHP Chan Ho Park for the final spot in the rotation, although he technically will start the season in the minors and get called up for his April 13 start.
BULLPEN:
LHP Billy Wagner (closer)
RHP Aaron Heilman
LHP Scott Schoeneweis
LHP Pedro Feliciano
RHP Joe Smith
RHP Aaron Sele
RHP Ambiorix Burgos
Wagner is the closer and Heilman will assume the eighth-inning setup role with RHP Duaner Sanchez out for another four months. Schoeneweis can pitch to righties and lefties. Feliciano is the lefty specialist.
Smith won a job with his sidearm delivery and by not being afraid to challenge hitters. Sele will be in long relief. Burgos is a project.
LINEUP:
1. SS Jose Reyes
2. C Paul Lo Duca
3. CF Carlos Beltran
4. 1B Carlos Delgado
5. 3B David Wright
6. LF Moises Alou
7. RF Shawn Green
8. 2B Jose Valentin
Reyes has the potential to be Ricky Henderson-like, displaying a combination of power and speed. Lo Duca's primary offensive attributes are being patient and advancing runners, which means he's wasted anywhere but second.
Beltran, Delgado and Wright have 30-homer potential. Alou and Green could be good for 20 each, the latter if he's able to correct the hitch in his swing.
Valentin gives provides a switch hitter at the bottom of the order.
RESERVES:
C Ramon Castro
1B/PH Julio Franco
INF Damion Easley
OF Endy Chavez
INF/OF David Newhan
OF Lastings Milledge
Newhan beat out OF Ben Johnson for a bench spot. His ability to play both the infield and outfield, plus hit left-handed, gave him the advantage.
Franco is a veteran pinch-hitter. Chavez plays superior defense and last year hit over .300. Castro handles the pitchers well. Easley can play outfield in a pinch.
Milledge made the team and provides the versatility to play all three outfield positions and can pinch-hit and pinch-run.
ROOKIE WATCH: RHP Mike Pelfrey came to camp competing for a spot in the rotation and beat out veteran RHP Chan Ho Park. With three off-days in the first two weeks, he will open the season in the minors and be brought up in mid-April.
RHP Joe Smith's sidearm delivery won him a spot in the bullpen.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Pedro Martinez (rotator cuff surgery) is not expected back before August.
LHP Dave Williams (herniated neck disk) underwent surgery in early February and only recently had his collar removed. There's no date for when he will throw.
RHP Juan Padilla ("Tommy John" surgery) will open the season on the disabled list.
RHP Aaron Heilman (elbow) underwent surgery after the 2006 season. He also experienced some tendinitis and was shut down for a week early this spring, but he says he's ready for the start of the season.
1B Carlos Delgado (right wrist/left elbow) had surgery after the season on both joints but hasn't been slowed down by either this spring. He did miss a couple of days with a stiff neck.
C Paul Lo Duca (left thumb) had offseason surgery and hasn't been bothered by it all spring.
RHP Duaner Sanchez (dislocated right shoulder) was hurt last season in a car accident. He tore some scar tissue his first time off the mound on March 22, and it then was discovered that there's a hairline fracture in the shoulder. He likely will need more surgery and is out until August.
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