2005 New York Mets Preview

New York Mets Preview

ABOUT BASEBALL breaks down & previews the 2005 New York Mets.

2004 Record: 71-91, 4th place in NL East
Home Ballpark: Shea Stadium
Manager: Willi Randolph

2005 Prediction: 88-74, 2nd place in NL East

Meet the New Mets:
Manny Aybar (RP) via free agency (minors)
Carlos Beltran (OF) via free agency from Astros
Miguel Cairo(IF) via free agency from Yankees
Ron Calloway(OF) via waivers from Nationals
Anderson Hernandez (SS) Traded from Tigers
Pedro Martinez (SP, rhp) via free agency from Red Sox
Mike Matthews(RP, lhp) via free agency
Doug Mientkiewicz (1B) via trade from Red Sox
Roberto Hernandez(RP, rhp) via free agency from Phillies
Scott Stewart (lhp) via free agency from Dodgers
Dae Sung Koo (LHP) via free agency - from Japan
Chris Woodward (SS) via free agency from Blue Jays

Shea Ya Later:
Ricky Bottalico (RP, rhp) via free agency to Brewers
John Franco (RP, lhp) via free agency to Astros
Richard Hidalgo (OF) via free agency to Rangers
Al Leiter (SP, lhp) via free agency to Marlins
Vance Wilson (C) Traded to Tigers

Lineup:
Jose Reyes SS
Kaz Matsui 2B
Carlos Beltran CF
Mike Piazza C
Cliff Floyd LF
David Wright 3B
Mike Cameron RF
Doug Mientkiwicz 1B

Rotation:
Pedro Martinez RHP
Tom Glavine LHP
Kris Benson RHP
Victor Zambrano RHP
Kaz Ishii LHP
Braden Looper RHP - Closer

Outlook: Mets fans have been slammed with big-name players, who flop at Shea following All-Star careers elsewhere.

So when GM Omar Minaya obtained studs Pedro Martinez & Carlos Beltran, the Shea faithful celebrated for a minute, and then sat back down - unsure of what the additions meant for their Mets. If the two pan out, the Mets may make a run at a wildcard spot. If they fail, and injury-prone stars Reyes and Floyd get hurt again - this club can be a disaster. But with a new skipper in Randolph - who has a long history of winning, rising stars like Wright & Matsui, a happy Piazza behind the dish - and a new sense of optimism, the Mets should enjoy a rebound year.