For Fans Of The New York Mets, The Future Is Bright

Taking a breather from from the 36 days of interminable Boston Red Sox coverage on NESN, (too much RemDog, where is Ron Darling when I need him?) I have some time to ponder the current state of the of my beloved New York Mets.

Unlike the current Owners of the Red Sox, who have given their loyal fans a royal screwing (new ballpark ticket prices while continuing to play in that overpriced sewer known as Fenway Park) Fred Wilpon have done Mets fans everywhere an enormous favor by investing $800,000,000 in private funds to build CITI Field. Finally, a comfortable, pleasant place to see the Mets play. I'll miss Shea Stadium, but it is time to say farewell.

Also, under the talented rule of Omar Minaya, the Mets have the most competitive (and talented) team of my lifetime.

• Catcher, Brian Schneider- This is addition by subtraction. Paul Lo Duca caused alot of distractions during his two year tenure, and now its clear the manager Willie Randolph isn't shedding any tears at his departure. Schneider has pretty good numbers for a number 1 catcher. Averages 100 games a season, a fielding pct. of .993 and a batting avg. of .252. And he can throw out base runners.
  

• 3rd Base, David Wright- The best 3rd sacker in the history of the franchise

• Shortstop, Jose Reyes- The most exciting player in baseball. Showing Ricky Henderson the door is addition by subtraction

• 2nd Base, Luis Castillo- A good off season signing, will end the revolving door at 2nd and help stabilize the top of the order
  

• 1st Base, Carlos Delgado- Should have at least on more productive year left in the tank.

• Right Field, Ryan Church- There has been a lot of debate about the merits of this move, but Ryan has some interesting career stats; .271 career avg, .348 OBP, and a SLG% of .462. Not bad for a throw in. The lefty/righty batting avg may be a problem.

• Center Field, Carlos Beltran- The best centerfielder in franchise history. He's proven to me that he's a gamer, plays hurt, well on the road and does not make excuses. Very under appreciated.

• Left Field, Moises Alou- Still a productive hitter who carried (along with David Wright) the Mets during the September collapse.
  

Rotation

• Johan Santana- another in a long line of great number one starters
  

• Pedro Martinez- enough said, pitching for a contract

• Oliver Perez- I'll take another 15 wins

• John Maine-, If he can keep his focus, he's good for another 15

• El Duque- Keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully, he'll make 2o starts
  

Bullpen

An area of concern. If the starters can consistently go 6 or pitch into the 7th, the pen will be fine. Jorge Sosa, Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman , Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner are all proven winners. I will admit that his part of the team concerns me a bit has the potential of being a pretty formidable staff.

Spot starter and bench. Signing Endy was a huge off season move. The rest is a crapshoot

Manager

I'm glad Willie Randolph is back

Time will tell. One things for sure, the Mets have a better team than the Boston Red Sox and The New York Yankees.