LOS ANGELES, March 17, 2013 — The New York Mets finished in fourth place in the National League East with a 74-88 record in 2012. They are in the midst of rebuilding after flushing money down the drain on Jason Bay and Johan Santana.
The Mets wisely locked up David Wright to be the face of the franchise. Unfortunately for Mets fans, the offense that sputtered last year will sputter again in 2013. Marlon Byrd is attempting a comeback after getting caught putting banned substances in his body. The veteran looks good so far this spring after playing winter ball in Mexico for the first time in his career.
The Mets pitching staff will be without the 2012 Cy Young Award winner, R.A. Dickey, after he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays when the two could not agree on a contract extension. For now the rotation will be lead be Jon Niese until Johan Santana is able to return from his injury.
The Mets should compete with the Miami Marlins for last place this year. By 2014, the Mets should have a firm grasp on last place as the Marlins are young and will get better.
David Wright/AP Patrick Semansky
Projected payroll: $83,175,000
Notable Players Out: C Josh Thole, CF Andres Torres, OF Jason Bay, OF Scott Hairston, IF Ronny Cedeño, RHP R.A. Dickey, RHP Jon Rauch
Notable Players In: C John Buck, RF Marlon Byrd, RHP Shaun Marcum, RHP Brandon Lyon
Prospect Watch: C Travis d’Arnaud and RHP Zack Wheeler
Highlight Hitter: 3B David Wright (ZiPS 2013 Projections: .274/.361/.449 19 HR/81 R/85 RBI)
Highlight Pitcher: LHP Jon Niese (ZiPS 2013 Projections: 11-10, 3.91 ERA, 7.61 K/9, 177.3 IP)
Projected Lineup: C John Buck, 1B Ike Davis, 2B Daniel Murphy, 3B David Wright, SS Ruben Tejada, LF Lucas Duda, CF Jordany Valdespin, RF Marlon Byrd
Projected Rotation: RHP Jon Niese, RHP Shaun Marcum, RHP Matt Harvey, RHP Dillon Gee, RHP Jeremy Hefner
Manager: Terry Collins
Projected 2013 Finish in NL East: 1. TBA 2. TBA 3. TBA 4. New York Mets 5. Miami Marlins
Kevin J. Wells writes about Major League Baseball and punk rock music. Follow him on Twitter @WellsOnBaseball
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