Updated Roster Predictions

We're coming down to the wire, with less than 10 days of Spring Training left (and we'll be at the games on Sunday and Monday- yes, I made it to Florida!), and there are a number of modifications that need to be made to our original roster picks. Here is our updated projected roster:

Starters:
Tom Glavine

John Maine

Oliver Perez -------------->>>

Orlando Hernandez

Mike Pelfrey

Pelfrey will probably head to New Orleans initially, as the Mets don't need a 5th starter until the middle of April, due to off-days, and Pelfrey needs to get some work in. I think I'd rather see Pelfrey get O-Hern's turns in the rotation, and let him go on the disabled list for 2 weeks and get completely healthy, but that probably won't happen. And just think - throughout the off-season, all we heard about was how old the Mets' starters were going to be- and now we have 3 who are 26 or younger- amazing!

Bullpen:
Billy Wagner (closer)

Aaron Heilman (8th inning, occasional closer spelling Wagner)

Scott Schoeneweis (7th or 8th inning set-up for both Wagner and Heilman) ----------->>>

Pedro Feliciano (when you absolutely, positively, have to get that lefty out!)

Joe Smith (I can't believe he made the team! I can't believe we got another sub-mariner who will make us forget Chad Bradford - who? - this quickly!)

Jorge Sosa / Aaron Sele (Still don't love ex-Brave Sosa, but Burgois is making it clear that he's not ready for the majors, and Sosa can mop-up. Sele is my preference.)

Chan Ho Park (They are committed to paying him, and he can spell a starter or work in long relief)

Padilla is still injured, so it's wait and see for him; Aaron Sele, unfortunately, has stated he won't go to AAA, so he'll either be traded or released so he can hook-up elsewhere if he doesn't make the team in place of Sosa; and Sanchez is still recovering and probably won't be ready until late April or early May.

Starting Line-Up:

1B: Carlos Delgado - his baby is about to be born, and he's going to have a monster year!

2b: Jose Valentin - a repeat of last season is just what the doctor orders...

SS: Jose Reyes - As we predicted months ago, look for Reyes to become even more of a power-threat this year, trading some triples for homers.

3B: David Wright - look for a more consistent year for the heart of the team.

LF: Moises Alou - will prove to be a great pick-up, providing us with great offense and Chavez replacing him late in games provides us with great defense. Alou's signing has already been lauded by several writers in the off-season - now he has to make it happen, and we believe he will!!--->>>

CF: Carlos Beltran - the rightful MVP - need we say more?

RF: Shawn Green - Milledge is "knockin' at the door" as Denis Leary would say, and he just might be coming in to take over for Greenie...and by the way, the Mets' DON'T owe him as much as a few writers recently wrote- the majority of his money is being paid by his previous employers(Diamondbacks), and the Mets are only on the hook for around $3.7 million this season.

C: Paul Lo Duca - This is definitely going to be a "prove your worth" season for PLD, a personal favorite, as he is a FA after the season and wants to show that last year was not a fluke. If he maintains his numbers across the season like he did last year, look for him to get a 2-yr extension this winter.

Bench:

C - Ramon Castro - The best back-up catcher in the game.

1B - Julio Franco - Should become a coach or go the way of Sierra.

INF - Damion Easley - Will be the new Chris Woodard.

INF - OF - David Newhan - Showed too much to not make the team- very versatile with power and can play several infield and outfield positions. ---------->>>

OF - Endy Chavez - Best outfielder not starting in the NL. I remember that catch, and smile!

OF- Lastings Milledge - By virtue of his strong Spring, Milledge will make the roster at least until a fifth pitcher is added. He might just push Greenie to the bench if he keeps his game at the level he's performing at right now.

I'd rather see Newhan back up at first base, and make Franco a coach with Milledge staying when the fifth pitcher is added. Ben Johnson is going to help the team at some point, but Milledge has been so hot this spring that Johnson is left to star in the OF for New Orleans.

We'll post our thoughts on the final roster as soon as Willie and Omar announce it.

-David Rubin & Jonathan Elfenbein