New York Mets

The Wilpons may be forced to sell the Mets as early as this season.

The New York Times reported yesterday that Major League Baseball will not loan any more money to the New York Mets. This comes after the league loaned $25 million to the team last November to help the club "meet operating costs." 

The New York Mets will try to put together a turnaround year in 2011. After battling another season of heavy injuries, the Mets will try to at least hit .500, but they will have to play very hard, and even acquire some luck. The Mets will probably go with an Opening Day Roster that looks somewhat like this:

1. Jose Reyes

2. Angel Pagan

3. David Wright

4. Jason Bay

5. Carlos Beltran

6. Ike Davis

7. Ronnie Paulino/Josh Thole

8. Luis Castillo

9. Mike Pelfrey

The Mets are in trouble.

They’re being sued for $1 billion. They are trying to sell part of the team just to cover their expenses. They took out a $25 million loan back in November, and are asking for another one worth at least $10 million now.

The team hasn’t improved much, if at all, this offseason. Despite having a beautiful new stadium, they will be playing in front of a lot of empty seats.

The New York Mets had a very disappointing 2010 season due to all of the injuries they suffered, with Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana and Jose Reyes all missing significant time last year.  The Mets do have talent and the ability to make a playoff run.  The projected 2011 lineup looks like this:

1. SS Jose Reyes

2. CF Angel Pagan

3. 3B David Wright

4. RF Carlos Beltran

Willie, Mickey and the Duke.

With the passing of Duke Snider, now only Willie Mays survives from the great triumvirate that patrolled center field in New York in the 1950s—and the Boys of Summer are down a man.

Will the New York Mets toss a no-hitter in 2011? No? How about slugging a walk-off grand slam, a steal of home, a triple play or back-to-back-to-back homers?

Spring training games got underway this weekend and that means that Opening Day is just a month away.

With that in mind, here are 20 single-game accomplishments up for grabs in 2011.

Some, like a complete game or a multi-home run outing, are sure bets. Others, like hitting for the cycle are less likely, but still very much possible.

The New York Mets got their spring training schedule under way this weekend with an intra-squad game Friday, a home-and-home series with Atlanta and a split-squad game with the University of Michigan Wolverines.

Chris Young made his case for a spot in the starting rotation and Pedro Beato and Dillon Gee both turned in solid performances on the mound. Oliver Perez was his usual wild self and further inched his way out of the club.

Jordany Valdespin, Chin-lung Hu and Mike Nickeas all showed promising signs, and Willie Harris proved he isn't just a Met killer.

Despite their extra-innings tie, it was great to see some New York Mets baseball today.

The Mets came from behind to tie the Atlanta Braves, 5-5, in their opening spring training game at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie.

While the scores mean next to nothing in spring training, it's the performance of players on the cusp that really makes a difference.

This point may be moot, due to a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme (I'm still rooting for a, "Bernie Madoff Made off with My Team's Payroll and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" promotional day) but if there is a choice for the Mets between going for it or rebuilding, they should rebuild.

It may be just a spring training exhibition match, but the opening game of the season could set the tone for the entire year.