Infield Chatter is a weekly look at trends and depth-chart movement that will affect your Fantasy strategy.

Four years ago, the city of New York was the center of the baseball universe, as the Yankees and Mets collided in the World Series for the first time. Fantasy owners also rode several New York players to league titles.

Now, a Subway Series seems as far-fetched as a reunion of the original Van Halen. That's more due to the Mets renting a basement apartment in the standings in the past few years. The Yankees still live near the penthouse, but some of their players haven't been acting like they belong in a rich neighborhood. Fantasy owners everywhere are frustrated with the statistical delay on the famed subways.

The Mets' offensive outages have been no surprise. Injuries have decimated what is already a weak lineup. Jose Reyes is taking longer than expected to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in the spring, and while he might return this week, with the setbacks he has already had, most owners won't believe Reyes is healthy until they actually see him on the field.

Cliff Floyd still might not be ready to return from a quadriceps injury, as he has not participated in any extended spring training games. When Ty Wigginton (ulcer) returns from the disabled list on Thursday, he might not be guaranteed regular playing time because of his offensive struggles before he went down.

Jason Phillips has been a major disappointment so far after he looked like a promising bargain for a good part of last season. With the struggles of Phillips and Wigginton, Todd Zeile has earned more playing time, but hasn't done enough offensively to entice Fantasy owners who aren't desperate for corner infield help.

Kazuo Matsui was one of the Mets' few offensive standouts early in the year, but wrist problems that bothered him in the spring have resurfaced, putting him in a slump that could force him to be benched for some rest soon. Mike Cameron has had so much trouble at the plate recently, he reportedly wrote off taking early batting practice this week.

Mike Piazza has been looking anxious at the plate while he tries to break Carlton Fisk's home run record. The pursuit of the mark, plus the still-evolving switch to first base, hasn't helped Piazza's numbers. You would think he would be the only reliable Met, if anyone. Instead, Karim Garcia has been the Mets' only regularly productive player recently, and he's a very good free-agent addition in NL-only leagues.

Owners can certainly expect improved numbers from Reyes, Floyd, Matsui and Piazza ahead. Cameron could struggle to stay consistent in a new league while playing in a pitchers' park like Shea Stadium. Phillips and Wigginton won't produce great offensive numbers even when they are on the top of their games. Shane Spencer will sporadically produce for NL-only league owners.

On the other side of town, the Yankees are beginning to awaken from their early offensive slumber, as Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter are starting to hit more consistently. Hideki Matsui has also begun to swing a hot bat. But not everyone is following along.

Gary Sheffield has just one home run, and injuries have held Bernie Williams to a .185 average and one homer as well. Kenny Lofton was struggling to bring his average near .200 before a recent stint on the disabled list. The Yankees' problems are less widespread than those of the Mets, especially with Jeter picking up his pace recently. Sheffield should certainly go on one of his vintage homer binges soon.

Fantasy owners shouldn't worry too much about getting better production from the guys in the Bronx. It's the ones in Queens who will apparently frustrate them all year long.