New York Mets: Spring Training Information

By Kingman
Location: Tradition Field - Port St. Lucie
Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 13th
First Game: Feb. 26th
Schedule

Projected Opening Day Lineup

1. Jose Reyes (SS)
2. Luis Castillo (2B)
3. Carlos Beltran (CF)
4. Carlos Delgado (1B)
5. David Wright (3B)
6. Ryan Church (RF)
7. Daniel Murphy/Fernando Tatis (LF)
8. Brian Schneider (C)
9. Pitcher
   

Projected Rotation

1. Johan Santana
2. John Maine
   
3. Oliver Perez
   
4. Mike Pelfrey
   
5. Tim Redding
   

Projected Bullpen
Situational: Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez, Sean Green, Brian Stokes
8th Inning: J.J. Putz
Closer: Francisco Rodriguez
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KEY BATTLES:
The best news in Mets camp this spring is coming out of Yankee camp. A-Rod's stimulant troubles. Joe Torre's book. All those distractions make Mets camp look professional and focused, even before we start.

The stillness will not be disturbed by contentious battles for starting roster spots. The line-up is essentially set. Murphy and Tatis are due to platoon in left field. The Mets are resigned to Castillo at second...for now. There will be some folks battling for the backup role. Jeremy Reed, who came from the Mariners in the Putz/Sean Green trade, can play all outfield positions and will contend with Cory Anderson for the backup job once held by Endy Chavez.

The biggest battle will be for the rotation's 5th spot. Tim Redding, Freddy Garcia and rookie Jon Niese are among the contenders to round out  the rotation. There are also one or two bullpen slots to fill, which will be earned in St. Lucie if a deal isn't otherwise made.



WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Early chatter will be about Santana's surgery-repaired knee. Initial chatter says the knee is fine and Johan is right on schedule.
• If Freddy Garcia's shoulder is not healthy, the battle for the 5th starter's spot will be more intense. The Mets would prefer to keep Niese in Triple-A so he gets more innings.
  
• Call it wishful thinking but I still don't expect Castillo to be at second base come Opening Day.

Kingman covers the Mets on his blog Loge 13.