Welcome to Queens, Johan.

Where They Are Coming From

The Mets choked last season the way no team has choked before, losing a seven game lead in the NL East with 17 to play in September. The season came crashing down on the last day against Florida when Tom Glavine could not find a way to get outs and the Marlins ruined the Mets chances at one game playoff with the Phillies.

The media called for Willie Randolph’s head and the immediate change in the organization. Now four months later, the Mets have revamped with an incredible starting rotation, looking to take back the NL East in 2008.

Players Added

The Mets received one of the biggest names in baseball this week when they traded for Johan Santana. By adding Santana, the Mets add the best pitcher in baseball to their staff and quickly go from a mediocre staff to arguably the best in the NL.

Santana was the best pitcher in baseball as a member of the AL. The two-time Cy Young winner will have the chance to absolutely dominate the NL and once again be a 20-game winner.

Joined by Pedro Martinez, John Maine, Oliver Perez, and Orlando Hernandez, there is not much more a Mets fan can want from their starters. Now it is up to the offense to deliver the way they did in 2006.

Everyone was a winner in this blockbuster deal including the Yankees and Red Sox. The Yankees get to keep their youth and prospects knowing that the Red Sox don’t get Santana and the two arch rivals can now focus on future acquisitions. The entire AL can now celebrate the fact that Santana is a member of the NL now.

Queens will also have a new face behind the plate this season with Johnny Estrada coming over from the Milwaukee Brewers. After a deal fell through for Colorado’s Yorvit Torrealba, the Mets picked up Estrada as their starting catcher, giving the Mets a nice 1-2 punch with him and Ramon Castro.

Players Lost

The Mets lost Paul Lo Duca and Tom Glavine, but the two losses have made the team better. Lo Duca was always in the media spotlight in negative ways and was injured for parts of 2007. His production dropped off substantially from 2006 and he is not the same catcher he used to be. Washington is a nice home for Lo Duca, as they seem to like the ridiculously young and inexperienced as well as the veterans past their prime.

Glavine was a disappointment in 2007 and a completely different pitcher from the 2006 playoffs. He pitched undetermined and unmotivated and it was never more shown than in Game 162, a day that live in infamy in the minds of Mets fans. The best thing for the Mets was for Glavine to leave and he did so with his 300+ victories and his name regarded as one of the worst Mets to ever put on the blue and orange (and sometimes black).

Moves Still To Come

There really does not need to be anymore moves for the Mets this season as anymore superstars would likely put beer prices at $18 at Shea after Santana got $150 million. Aside from maybe some bullpen help, the Metropolitans are ready to roll in two weeks and are one solid team, at least on paper.

What to Watch in Spring Training

Spring training will be a media frenzy with Santana showing up, joining Pedro in the Mets rotation. There is not much competition for position players, but for the bridge to Billy Wagner, there will be still some battles for jobs.

Duaner Sanchez should be back after injuring his shoulder in 2006 in a taxi accident and was possibly the missing link to a World Series appearance in Game 7 of the NLCS when Aaron Heilman failed the Mets. You can expect Randolph to take a good look at every reliever in camp, as he does not want his job lost this season due to an inconsistent bullpen.

The Mets will be the team to beat on Opening Day with Santana and Co. The Mets have the talent and tools to win the NL East and appear in the Fall Classic. It is up to the players to play to their abilities and not underachieve as Jose Reyes did last season. The NL is theirs to win, but after last September they know, it can easily be lost.