Video: New York Mets 2008 Outlook

CBS Sports’ Scott Miller profiles the Mets for the upcoming season here.
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John Maine Will Start Civil Rights Game

The Mets made the right decision today to start John Maine in the Civil Rights Game against the White Sox on Saturday. It’s an important game for Major League Baseball and the Mets owe it to everyone involved to send their regular players to Memphis. The game is bigger than the desire to keep Maine in Florida working out.
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Milwaukee Brewers Release RHP Claudio Vargas

Claudio Vargas was released and received termination pay today by the Brewers. He might be an option for the fifth starter for the Mets if he would agree to a minor league contract. Omar Minaya know him from Montreal where he pitched from 2003-2004. Last season Vargas pitched in 29 games, 23 of which were starts. He’s not going to light the world on fire but he may be able to compete for the fifth starter in the rotation. Certainly, Mike Pelfrey and Orlando Hernandez haven’t sewn that position up.

Vargas is 30 years old, 6’3″, 220 lbs. For his 5 year major league career he’s 43-38 5.09 ERA.
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Managers On The Hot Seat… #1 Willie Randolph

Willie Randolph is number one on a recent list of managers that need to win now. The Mets aren’t built for the future. They traded some of that away for Johan Santana. Professional sports teams don’t have “rebuilding” years in New York, especially with a new stadium coming next season. The Mets are built to win now.
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It’s difficult to even write about “The Collapse” of last season. It was devastating for fans, players, and management. Willie Randolph was at the helm and will be remembered with Gene Mauch’s 1964 Phillies as the worst late season drop ever.

I have to agree with Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Willie has to win now or go.

Moises Alou Back in Port St. Lucie

Moises Alou came back to the team today after his hernia surgery. He says that he’s looking to get back on the field before the end of April. That would be tremendous news for the Mets. Reed Johnson signed with the Cubs today, so there’s no quick fix for Alou’s absence.
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Alou has a recent history riddled with injuries but there’s nothing you could do about a hernia. He looks like he’s in great shape. As a matter of fact he told Marty Noble from MLB.com:

“I came to camp in the best shape of my life,” he said. “Since November, I was in great shape. I never lost my playing shape … I never got fat or had a beer belly. Whether I was going to come back to play or look good in the beach, I was in shape. … And I had to pop off about getting 500 at-bats. It wasn’t popping off. I was serious.”

It’s not like he showed up looking like David Wells or Bartolo Colon and got hurt. Sometimes these things just happen. Alou’s been riding a stationary bike and can start light running soon.

Mets 5 Atlanta Braves 4

Surprisingly, the Braves decided to “show” Tim Hudson to the Mets today. Raul Casanova was 1 for 3 and hit one out off Hudson. See the full recap and box score at MLB.com.
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