New York Mets

Previous Team Analyses

The New York Mets began 2008 with a bang, acquiring the best player on the market to fulfill their need for a true ace. They're primed to dominate the NL East again, with studs Jose Reyes and David Wright anchoring the lineup. They gave up most of their prospects to get Santana, meaning that it's now or never. This team is good enough to make it now.

Lineup:

• SS Jose Reyes
• 2B Luis Castillo
• 3B David Wright
  
• CF Carlos Beltran
• 1B Carlos Delgado
• LF Moises Alou
• RF Ryan Church
• C Brian Schneider

Rotation:

• Johan Santana
• Pedro Martinez
• John Maine
• Oliver Perez
• Orlando Hernandez

Closer: Billy Wagner

Thoughts...

Alou probably will not see the field before May after being injured with a sports hernia. In his absence, look for primary backup Endy Chavez to pick up at-bats. Chavez, however, is a defensive specialist without much fantasy relevance. If Angel Pagan wins the job, or if the Mets somehow pull off a deal for Xavier Nady, then LF for the Mets will become relevant again. Until that happens, though, consider left field a hole in this lineup.

I discussed Santana here last week, but to summarize: Now that he gets to face pitchers, look for his strikeout totals to jump up. I think he can push 300 at season's end, and with the run support he's guaranteed to get, 20 wins are a lock. He's an absolute stud.

Speaking of studs... Reyes and Wright are both outstanding. I consider the two interchangeable in picks 2, 3, and 4 depending on who is available and what type of team you like to build. I've drafted with Reyes from number two, which allowed me to choose more power hitters knowing I had an early advantage in steals and runs. I also enjoy drafting with Wright, though, because I like having third base filled early, and I can usually pair him with Teixeira and one of Carlos Lee/Lance Berkman/Vlad Guerrero, which fills out all of my big positions in the first three rounds. It's easy to go sleeper hunting later knowing I have these positions filled. 

I'm not as big on Beltran as some others. I can't say exactly why - he's a five category producer in a big-time lineup, but I guess it's the low average. Nonetheless, if he's available in the middle of the second round, he'll definitely be a productive part of your lineup.

John Maine burned out last year after a fantastic four months. He only pitched 90 big league innings in 2006, though, so the fact that this was his first full year could account for some of his struggles. Maine pitched a beautiful game that appeared to bring the Mets out of their slide at the end of last year - I love him in big games. Of course, this doesn't translate into fantasy production, but to me, it indicates that he can pitch and I would honestly like him on my fantasy team. He'll certainly provide wins, but I expect he will contribute across the board for a full season in 2008.

Other players: I like Billy Wagner, especially if you miss out on K-Rod and Nathan. He'll have the saves and the stats to anchor a fantasy bullpen. I don't particularly like Carlos Delgado to have a bounce-back season at 35. I wish the Mets would have a bigger name first baseman, but it looks like they're committed to Carlos in the middle of their lineup. Pedro will be okay but probably suffer one DL stint this year; he can still pitch but is no longer the overpowering ace he was in the 90s. 

The Mets are loaded for 2008 and beyond, and Reyes, Wright, and Santana will all be first round fantasy picks for years to come. The rest of the lineup can fill out fantasy rosters; never underestimate the importance of being on a winning team when you're taking a guy to round out your team. Sorry Jimmy Rollins, but the Mets are the team to beat in the NL East in 2008.