Mets scouting report

March 28, 2008

A major-league scout's take on the 2008 Mets, as told to Newsday's David Lennon.

ROTATION
Obviously, they have a true, Grade-A horse in Johan Santana, and that makes everybody better. Once every five days you have a better-than- 80-percent chance of winning. He will eat this league up early. Pedro's not a No. 1 anymore, but with his know-how and moxie, he's still pretty good. John Maine could have a breakout year. Oliver Perez ... on some days he's going to be dollar bills, the other days he's going to be pennies. In the No. 5 spot, I understand what Omar Minaya is doing with El Duque, but Mike Pelfrey's day is coming soon.

BULLPEN

They got Aaron Heilman, who's a quality eighth-inning guy. Anyone would love to have him. Billy Wagner isn't the closer of five years ago, but who is? He can still get hitters out. He's going to be OK. As for the middle guys, they'll be chasing it all year long, just like everyone else does.

FIRST BASE
Carlos Delgado is old. That's his biggest problem. He's got old hips, and that's going to be trouble all season long. He didn't swing the bat good last year either. I've noticed him cheating on fastballs already, and that's not a good sign.

SECOND BASE
Luis Castillo -- I think they're going to get another year or so of good play out of him, not great play. But he's a warrior. He's got the best throwing arm at his position.

THIRD BASE
Defensively, David Wright is making progress. I thought it was a farce he won the Gold Glove. But he's in better shape. He looks more nimble out there. I think he's going to have another big year for them. A dangerous offensive threat.

SHORTSTOP
Jose Reyes makes the whole club go. He had a tough time at the end of last year. When you're not leading the team and you're losing and the pressure is on you, it's rough. This year, he can take a deep breath and maybe avoid that.

CATCHER
Brian Schneider is definitely a defensive upgrade from Paul Lo Duca, and that's what the Mets wanted. As long as he's healthy, and he hasn't been lately, the Mets should be fine. Ramon Castro is a solid backup that also can provide some offensive punch.

OUTFIELD
Even coming off the two knee operations, Carlos Beltran looks like he's going to be fine. He's got enough ability and instinct to play out there. In rightfield, I think it remains to be seen if they can pen Ryan Church in there every day. I am concerned about that concussion. The lingering effects of something like that, it slows down your motor. That's something I'd really have to be watching. With Moises Alou, I was surprised they picked up his option. He's in the wrong league.

BENCH
Endy Chavez will do fine in leftfield filling in for Alou, and Angel Pagan looks like he should be able to help after a great spring. Damion Easley is coming off a solid year and seems to be OK after the ankle injury. Marlon Anderson is another great pickup that can help at a number of positions.

MANAGER
It's important that Willie Randolph keeps this team focused. What happened last year, those things can snowball. Could he have done things differently? Maybe take the heat off some of these guys? Maybe. Who knows? He's been in New York long enough. He knows the gig.