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After a very sad and disappointing end to the 2007 baseball season, the Mets, with several key new acquisitions, should nonetheless be the team to beat in the NL. With opening day tomorrow, here is my annual Mets Season Preview for 2008 (2007, 2006, 2005).

Starting Lineup
1. Jose Reyes - SS Arguably the best player in baseball, (yet also arguably the best SS in the NL East [Hanley Ramirez down in Miami is quite a baller]), and the cover-athlete for MLB 2K8, Jose Reyes has to remain consistent all season. While he had a tremendous first half of the season last year, he slumped towards the end of the season when the Mets needed him to play his best. After several productive years in the bigs, he can no longer use youth and lack of experience as an excuse. Jose is STILL the most electrifying athlete in all of major league baseball and the best leadoff hitter in baseball. While all players go through ups and downs and occaisionally have slumps, barring any 2007 disaster, Reyes should be a lock for .300; 20 HR; 75 RBI; 200 hits; 60 SB.
2. Luis Castillo - 2B Luis Castillo is back with the Mets and was a solid acquisition given the Mets recent troubles filling in a productive slot at 2nd base. Although not a power hitter, he should be very productive in the 2nd slot. .300; 55 RBI; 170 hits.
3. David Wright - 3B David Wright will win the NL MVP award this season. You heard it here first! After a rough start to the season, DW was the most productive Met last season. DW by far played with the most heart last season unlike most of his team mates, and plays with the most pride on the roster. 2008 will be Wright’s best season to date. .325, 35 HR, 120 RBI, 200 hits.
4. Carlos Beltran - CF After several up and down years in Flushing since his arrival, Carlos Beltran is playing with a new sense of confidence this year. With the birth of his new daughter, he has a new passion for the game, which is evident by his recent trash talking against the loudmouth shortstop from philly. Beltran will bat cleanup and will be the mets greatest power asset this summer. .290, 40 HR, 125 RBI
5. Carlos Delgado - 1B Carlos Delgado has not lived up to his contract thus far as a Met. He supposedly re-taught himself how to hit this offseason. No longer the perennial allstar first basement, Delgado still has some fuel left in his tank. In the 5 hole he still has power and should drive in many runs with his power hitting. .270, 36 HR, 104 RBI
6. Ryan Church - RF To be honest i really dont know much about this guy. I dont know why the Mets traded away Lastings Miledge.
7. Angel Pagan- LF pagan??? I hope this dude isnt an idol worshipper. Pagan is expected to play until Moises Alou returns from the DL.
8. Brian Schneider - C Solid mediocre catcher; not much of an upgrade from Lo Duca. I will miss Lo Duca’s passion for the game. Again i dont know much about Schneider, but i do hope Ramon Castro gets adequate playing time as he is a great hitting catcher with a lot of pop in his bat.

Pitching Rotation
1. Johan Santana The best pitcher in all of baseball (Beckett is a close 2nd). The best pitcher of the 21st century. A life saver. The messiah for the mets. Johan Santana has HUGE expectations as a Met. There is NO reason why he shouldnt win AT LEAST 20 games and win the NL Cy Young Award. Having an ace like Santana means so much to the mets, has a huge influence on his latin teammates, and provides a sense of sheer pitching dominance not seen at shea in over a decade. His stuff is nasty! 22 wins, 2.72 ERA, 250 Ks, NL Cy Young!
2. Pedro Martinez - No longer the dominant pitcher he once was, yet still a crafty veteran who is among the smartest pitchers in baseball. As good a #2 Pitcher as anyone else in the NL, will play with much more confidence and success especially no longer having to pitch against other team’s aces. If he stays healthy, 18 wins, 3.1 ERA, 200 Ks.
3. John Maine THE BEST #3 pitcher in the NL. John Maine has improved every year since putting on the blue and white (and black). He should continue to improve this season. 17 wins, 3.65 ERA, 185Ks.
4. Oliver Perez THE BEST #4 pitcher in the NL. Playing in the last year of his contract, and recently winning arbitration, Perez has much to play for this season. Perez also has really great control and is becoming a bonifide pitcher in the NL. I predict a career year for Perez. 20 wins, 3.4 ERA, 190 Ks.
5. Mike Pelfrey/Orlando Hernandez These two pitchers will switch time at the 5 spot. A significant downgrade from 1-4 in the rotation, but still can both solid options in the 5 spot. Between the 2 of them, i expect 15 wins this season.

I know I’ve said this before in the past, but this time I REALLY MEAN IT. The Mets will win the NL this season. Anything else will be a major disappointment. This being the last season at Shea, and following a disastrous finish, the Mets will strike back with a vengance this 2008 season. With the best 1-4 pitching lineup in the NL, and arguably the best 1-5 hitters in the NL, (along with 4 NL MVP candidates in Santana, Reyes, Wright, and Beltran), barring any unforseen injuries or mental collapses, the Mets aught to win 102 games this season, win the NL East, make it past the NLDS and NLCS, and at least make it to the World Series, where they should have a tough fought battle against the Red Sox. But as a die hard Mets fan, i always do believe.. the Mets will be crowned 2008 World Series Champs inshallah!