New York Mets

While I was watching today's spring training game, between the New York Mets and Florida Marlins, there were two things that jumped out at me. First, is the fact that the Marlins will have some very long days in the field this year—as they have in past years.

As Carlos Beltran continues to nurse a sore knee and Fernando Martinez, Lucas Duda and Kirk Nieuwenhuis keep getting reps out in right field, Cory Vaughn should be the long-term solution for the New York Mets' vacant right field position in the future.

Surprise, surprise. Carlos Beltran is hurt once again.

After he resumes baseball activities sometime in the next few days, who knows how long it will take the New York Mets' new right fielder to get in baseball shape?

While part of me was hoping Beltran would finally return to the field healthy and productive, the other part of me knew it was probably too good to be true.

Center-fielder Carlos Beltran made a late season entrance for the New York Mets last year. Most of his season was missed due to surgery on his right knee, one that was not cleared by the Mets. 

After having someone perform surgery on your one knee, you're more likely to favor the other one in hopes of not re-injuring it again, right?

Well, that was Beltran's thinking, but that move came back to bite him in the rear.

With spring training starting to get into full swing, we are learning more and more about the players each day. As a result, I believe it is time to give you my projections for the 2011 Mets.

On Monday, Craig gave his projections for the Mets' Opening Day roster. You will see a lot of similarity between the picks, but you will also see differences when it comes down to some of the last spots on the roster.

When the Phillies added former Astros' ace Roy Oswalt at the trade deadline last season, many believed the deal would tilt the National League's balance of power in favor of Philadelphia.

Oswalt proceeded to pitch quite well; unfortunately for the Phillies and their faithful, the San Francisco Giants went on an improbable and impressive run to a World Series title behind their outstanding rotation and standout closer Brian Wilson.

The New York Mets will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 1986 World Series title later this year.

You know what that means, Mets fans: It's time for another championship.

While it seems the other four teams in the National League East all improved this offseason, the Mets were content with the status quo. The new ownership will rely on consistent production from the team's top players in order to get back to the postseason.

The past few seasons have certainly been a roller-coaster ride for David Wright, haven’t they?

After hitting .302 with 33 HR, 124 RBI, 115 R and 15 SB in 2008 it appeared that Wright was on the verge of becoming one of the elite players in the game. How many players could possibly match that type of production? You can count them on one hand.

However, the bottom fell out in 2009 as the Mets moved into Citi Field and were sabotaged by injuries.

It took three weeks, but Carlos Beltran finally made his spring training debut for the New York Mets yesterday. The five-time All-Star has had three knee surgeries since October 2007, two being on his right knee, and the wear and tear prompted Beltran to volunteer himself for right field duty this season.

At this point, it's no secret the involvement of New York Mets' owners Jeff and Fred Wilpon in Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme will have a deep impact on the nature of the ball club. The club has already received a $20 million loan from Major League Baseball.

And although they have roughly $50 million coming off the books after the 2011 season, financial uncertainty has the entire Mets franchise in a state of worry, if not panic.