2007 Mets Projected Lineup

2007 New York Mets

Batting Order

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. C Paul Lo Duca
3. CF Carlos Beltran
4. 1B Carlos Delgado
5. 3B David Wright
6. LF Moises Alou
7. RF Shawn Green
8. 2B Jose Valentin

It worked last year for manager Willie Randolph, so why change? Reyes is the table setter, but don't be surprised if he experiences a drop-off. Lo Duca was the ideal second hitter, taking pitches and hitting behind the runner. Beltran, Delgado and Wright each have 30-homer potential, and if Alou stays healthy, it would prevent pitchers from working around Wright. It might be a reach to expect Valentin to duplicate last year's power numbers. Green has gone from a power to a line drive hitter, but if the rest of the lineup produces, the Mets won't need him to go deep. Green's starting spot wasn't supposed to be assured entering camp, but there's been little talk so far of benching him. Lastings Milledge would probably have to turn in a fantastic spring to make that happen. As is, Milledge appears Triple-A bound. Valentin apparently won't be part of a strict platoon initially, but Damion Easley would be a better option at second base versus left-handers.

Rotation

Tom Glavine
Orlando Hernandez
John Maine
Oliver Perez
Mike Pelfrey

Glavine enters what could be his final season 10 victories shy of 300. Hernandez was an early-season acquisition last year who proved invaluable. His calf injury hurt in the playoffs. Maine and Perez pitched well down the stretch and in the postseason and are penciled in as starters. The No. 5 slot is wide open between Pelfrey and RHP Phil Humber, RHP Jorge Sosa, RHP Aaron Sele, RHP Chan Ho Park and LHP Jason Vargas.

Closer: Billy Wagner