Sorry for those of you who find this topic boring.
Well, after sitting and watching five weeks of the Mets' general manager basically send a team of people out to acquire seven things the team was missing the whole season, it's interesting to think about the chances they'll have this coming year. I think, after such an abysmal season they had (82-80), it really can only get better. The only problem is that they're hedging on a lot of potential, not proven talent. Like, if so-and-so does well... and etc. explanations. I think the GM, Steve Phillips, has a few more moves up his sleeves.
Personally, I'd leave the team alone now. I've heard people say they want Rick Reed back, and to trade Steve Trachsel for him. Shea stadium is a pitcher's heaven. When Rick Reed left, his ERA inflated. Once Steve Trachsel got back on track, his ERA was a little bit lower than his career average, which means one important thing: The man is a consistent pitcher no matter where he's pitching. Again, we're hedging on expected performance, though. Another matter is Rey Ordonez. The Mets have been transformed into a team that can get on base and produce runs, theoretically. Rey Ordonez, however, is a very light hitter. One thing that stands out for Rey is that he's probably, if not the best, the second-best shortstop defensively. I think the lineup can afford a number 8 hitter who is mainly there to get on base so the other team can get the pitcher out.
It's funny, because here's the team that's been sent out so far:
1B) Todd Zeile - not the best, but not bad
2B) none
3B) Robin Ventura - still a great player
SS) Desi Relaford - really got better with the Mets, stole 13 bases, a good spark plug
CF) Matt Lawton - a quick, decent-hitting outfielder
LF) Tsuyoshi Shinjo - an incredible clutch hitter (8 game-winning HRs, among other important hits) and a defensive wizard
RF) David Justice - not great, but still good
DH) Benny Agbayani - a hit with the crowd, and a decent hitter
PH) Lenny Harris - currently the pinch-hit leader, great off the bench
SP) Kevin Appier - a former all-star and still a good pitcher
SP) Glendon Rusch - shaky at times, but when he's on, he's fantastic
RP) Jerrod Riggan - watch this kid, he's got Seaver 2 written all over him, struck out Bonds two games in a row
AAA Player) Alex Escobar - should, with development, be a great outfielder
Get some more pitchers and a second basemen... That team could beat the Devil Rays in their sleep. Hehe. Possibly the Royals and last year's Rangers.
One thing that's funny is that the Yankees really only made one big move this offseason in Giambi. Yeah, they got Wells back, but that wasn't so big and the rest of their moves were just fills. Look forward to another World Series featuring everyone's favorite team and possibly some Mets action in the post-season.
The game is still fixed, though. Suck it. =P