New York Mets

Jason Bay | Left Field

Season Predictions
AVG percentage: .271
OBP percentage : .363
SLG percentage: .500
HR: 26
RBI: 87
SB: 14

2010 Numbers: .259 | .347 | .402 | 6 HR | 47 RBI | 10 SB (95 G)

162 Game Averages: .278 | .374 | .508 | 30 HR | 105 RBI | 12 SB

Carlos Beltran took part in a simulated game on a back field in Port St Lucie, Florida on Thursday. He hit from both sides of the plate, ran the bases without hesitation and fielded his position with what he later described as 100 percent intensity.

It's been more than two decades since the New York Mets drafted a young right-hander by the name of Jason Isringhausen. Since that time, "Izzy" has almost 1,000 innings under his belt, with just under 300 saves. In 2011, Isringhausen, now 38, is back in Mets camp.

Though the Mets recently released Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez, the organization still is marred with financial difficulties and a string of poor seasons on the field.

While there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel with a new manager and general manager, things aren’t expected to turn around quickly in Flushing.

Mets fans tend to be an impatient group, so the ones who do show up to Citi Field this year will have a short leash when players don’t perform.

Winter is finally over, and with it one of the most turbulent offseasons in the history of the New York Mets.

Usually, New York baseball during the months of December, January and February are dominated by the Yankees uncanny ability to sign every single All-Star free agent possible. Instead it was a quiet and disappointing off-season for the Bombers, as Cliff Lee instead opted to head back to Philadelphia.

As for the Flushing Bumbers, the Mets have been in the news just about every day.

I got the pleasure of getting to chat with Darrell Ceciliani today, prospect for the New York Mets.

Ceciliani hit .351 with a .410 OBP and had two home runs, 35 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases in 68 games last year for the short A Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Pennsylvania League. He also set franchise records of 95 hits, 56 runs and 12 triples.

As a Mets fan I've been wondering five things throughout the offseason and spring training:

When will they release Oliver Perez? Done.

When will they release Luis Castillo? Done.

Who is going to play second base? To be determined.

What's going to happen with the most dynamic leadoff hitter in the game, Jose Reyes? To be determined.

In one of my previous articles, “New York Mets and the Power of Belief: Will It Work For Sandy Alderson's Team”, I talked about the fact that Alderson and his crew firmly believe that they can make this organization into a winner, despite all of its internal and external issues. You would have to think so, otherwise they would not have taken the job.

New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis burst onto the scene last year en route to having a successful rookie campaign.

After Daniel Murphy’s injury in spring training 2010, Davis appeared to be the likely successor. However, the Mets opted to use veteran Mike Jacobs at first.

That experiment flopped, which allowed Davis to get his chance.

With one year under his belt, Davis is poised to have a breakout year in 2011. He may not put up Albert Pujols-type numbers, but then again, not many first basemen can.

In 2011, Sandy Alderson and the Mets have a lot of question marks when it comes to the team’s opening day roster when they take against Josh Johnson and the Florida Marlins.

New York is in a bit of a rebuilding year in which expectations are not very high. There is probably more uncertainty going into this year than there has been before going into any other season in the past three years.