New York Mets

The New York Mets are playing some great ball right now, and despite the fact that the season is still very young, there are more than a few reasons to expect much of the same in the coming months.

New York Mets fans have adopted patience during this period of rebuilding. Actually, there has been no choice but to be patient, considering the plan the organization has implemented. To be fair, it has begun to yield results. 

Have we seen the last of Johan Santana?

After a busy offseason for the New York Mets, including a nine-figure extension for David Wright and trading Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey, there is one ultimate question that no one seems to be talking about: Which Mets players would be cast as the main characters in Star Wars? 

New York Mets spring training camp has reached the halfway point, and prospects are trying to make positive impressions on manager Terry Collins and his coaching staff. Travis d'Arnaud and Zack Wheeler, among others, are exhibiting the skills that show they will have a very bright future in Flushing, N.Y. someday.

Other Mets prospects may be vying to make a final roster spot. Some realize they won't be heading north with the parent club, but they want the Mets' brain trust to consider them for a promotion down the road.

Spring training games have officially begun and the Mets—like the other 29 MLB teams—are trying to prepare for the regular season by seeing which players will have what it takes to be part of the major league roster.

The New York Mets are less than two weeks into spring training 2013, but it isn't too early to tell which players are set to outperform others down in Port St. Lucie.

Over the next month, Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson will have to make decisions on tough roster moves and position battles. The manager and the general manager will need to find a blend of experienced veterans who can mesh well with the variety of prospects the Mets have at their disposal.

General manager Sandy Alderson and the New York Mets have been taking a lot of flak lately for the absence of major league talent on the roster as the organization forges on with its painstaking rebuilding period.

Heading into the 2013 MLB season, the New York Mets will be an intriguing team to follow. With good health and a few lucky breaks, they could be competitive throughout the summer.

Overall, this club wasn't impressive in 2012. New York finished fourth in the NL East standings (again) and drew the lowest total attendance since opening Citi Field.

For a number of years, the New York Mets have had the distinction of having one of the worst farm systems in Baseball. Between poor drafts and unwisely trading away prospects for washed-up Major Leaguers, the Mets have not had the luxury of tapping into homegrown talent.