What's in store for the 2004 Mets?

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v0000msgn20040227T16182 4888&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.columnist.article&sports=baseball&team=Mets&league=mlb

What's in store for the 2004 Mets?

Feb 27, 2004

By MSGNetwork.com

Here's what we can expect the Mets to bring to the table this season:

POTENTIAL LINEUP
PLAYER/POSITION 2003 STATS THE SKINNY
http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/m/matsui90_22704rb.jpg KAZUO MATSUI SS .305, 33 HR, 84 RBI Smooth fielder entering first MLB season. Transplanted Jose Reyes to second base, could create one of the league's best double-play combos. With good speed and power, expected to get on base and score plenty.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/r/reyes90_22704rb.jpg JOSE REYES 2B .307, 5 HR, 32 RBI Will be adjusting to new position and is coming off an ankle injury that prematurely ended his impressive rookie season. Showed great maturity and offensive promise that is sure to grow.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/f/floyd90_22704rb.jpg CLIFF FLOYD LF .290, 18 HR, 68 RBI Appears healthy after an ACL injury halted his first year in New York, capable of a 30-plus HR 100-plus RBI year if he stays off the DL. With Matsui and Reyes in front, expect a ton of RBI opportunities.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/p/piazza90_22704rb.jpg MIKE PIAZZA C .286, 11 HR, 34 RBI Still determined to break Carlton Fisk's HR record for a catcher. Went homerless in final 88 at-bats last season and will see time at first base. Coming off severe groin injury - we should see more of Vance Wilson.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/c/cameron90_22704rb.jpg MIKE CAMERON CF .253, 18 HR, 76 RBI Two-time Gold Glove winner certainly has the tools defensively to make a splash in first season at Shea. But, he does strike out a lot (2003: 137 Ks in 147 games) and boasts just a .250 career batting average.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/g/garcia90_22704rb.jpg KARIM GARCIA RF .262, 11 HR, 35 RBI From pinstripes to orange-and-blue, will battle ex-Yank Shane Spencer and disappointing Roger Cedeno for RF. Garcia Is the better player and has shown ability to come up with key hits when not fighting in bullpens.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/p/phillips90_22704rb.jpg JASON PHILLIPS 1B .298, 11 HR, 58 RBI Coming off a solid year, will take a seat occasionally to give Piazza some ground balls. Made seven errors in 84 games at first base and just one blooper in 29 games behind the plate. Can expect a .300 season.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/w/wigginton90_22704rb.jpg TY WIGGINTON 3B .255, 11 HR, 51 RBI Not the power threat originally thought to be, but certainly has the capability to hit 20 HR. Must cut down on the Ks (124) and draw more walks (46), but most of the 3B attention in town will be on A-Rod anyway.

[GaryMrMets]

STARTING PITCHERS
LHP/RHP 2003 STATS THE SKINNY
http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/g/glavine90_22704rb.jpg TOM GLAVINE LHP 9-14,4.52 ERA After turning in his worst season since 1988, Mr. G should be ready to prove first season with Mets was just a fluke. Was it QuesTec? The defense behind him? Age? No more excuses ... Stay tuned.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/t/trachsel90_22704rb.jpg STEVE TRACHSEL RHP 16-10,3.78 ERA By far the most consistent starter a year ago, and is coming off the best season of his career. Demotion a year and 1/2 back has fueled a comeback worthy of a potential 20-win 2004 campaign.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/l/leiter90_22704rb.jpg AL LEITER LHP 15-9,3.99 ERA The 38-year old leader of the staff refuses to let time slow him down. However, pitched the fewest innings (180.2) of his Mets career and turned in his highest walk total (94) in Flushing. If healthy, expect 15 more Ws.

[/img]http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/s/seo90_22704rb.jpg[/img] JAE WEONG SEO RHP 9-12,3.82 ERA Showed spurts of promise in his rookie campaign, but also stretches of inconsistency (6.61 ERA in July and 5.34 in August). Did round out last season strong and is hoping to build off the experience.

http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/e/erickson90_22704rb.jpg SCOTT ERICKSON RHP DNP Has missed two of the last three seasons with injuries, and the former 20-game winner will have to battle Aaron Heilman, Jeremy Griffiths, Grant Roberts & Co. for the fifth spot. Experience is on his side, history may not be.