The 'New' Mets: Part II

Here are more factors that will make The New York Mets, at the very least, an interesting story for the 2005 baseball season:

The infield defense will be worth the price of admission. That’s not saying that this will be one of the all-time great defensive infields, like 1999’s Olerud-Alfonso-Ordonez-Ventura foursome was. However, the athleticism of Jose Reyes, the suddenly superb Kazuo Matsui, and the average yet improving David Wright will all be helped by the stunning glovework of Doug Mientkiewicz. Not only are low or wide throws guaranteed to be caught, but his range to his left and right resembles a shortstop more than a first baseman. Against Baltimore 10 days ago, M’wicz (his box score spelling) dove to his left and turned a sure double into a third out. If he goes .270, 6, 50, he’ll still help the team immeasurably after watching lumbering stiffs like Vaughn, Piazza and Phillips flail at balls during their laughable attempts at manning the first sack.

Pedro is Pedro. Enough said. He’s looked like vintage Martinez (we’re talking MONTREAL Martinez) during his weather-thwarted, sporadic spring starts.

A varied, experienced bench. Eric Valent is the new Ed Kranepool, or for more recent Mets fans, a revised version of Danny Heep. Chris Woodward could start at shortstop for a least three MLB teams, making this another no-fault pickup on the cheap. Miguel Cairo is a pro’s pro. It will be interesting to see how the last couple of roster spot shake down. For the outfield: Marlon Anderson, Kerry Robinson, Ron Calloway, or Gerald Williams--or does Victor Diaz go north? Will the Met really rely on Ramon Castro to back up Mike Piazza?

Prediction: 85-77, but just mssing out on the NL Wild Card berth.