The New York Mets open a brand new ballpark in 2009, and to say they have reloaded would be putting it mildly.  The new tenants of Citi Field added two of the best closers in the league in an effort to address the way they have faded down the stretch over the past two seasons, especially late in games.  In 2008, the Mets once again failed to make the playoffs after a strong start, and they couldn't seem to win a game after the 6th or 7th inning.  The Mets hope to be playing late into October this year after watching their division rival, the Philadelphia Phillies, win the whole thing last season.

Key losses: LHP Billy Wagner, RHP Pedro Martinez
Key Additions: RHP Francisco Rodriguez, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Freddy Garcia, RHP Livan Hernandez

Projected lineup:

2B Luis Castillo
SS Jose Reyes
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Daniel Murphy
RF Ryan Church
C Brian Schneider
P (pitcher's slot)

Projected rotation:

LHP Johan Santana
RHP Mike Pelfrey
LHP Oliver Perez
RHP John Maine
RHP Livan Hernandez

RHP J.J. Putz (Setup)
RHP Francisco Rodriguez (Closer)

Strengths:  Losing a superstar veteran closer in Wagner and a sure-thing Hall of Fame pitcher in Martinez, it's odd to say that the pitching has been bolstered and the rotation is very strong, but it has and it is.  Adding K-Rod and Putz, two flamethrowing closers from the AL West provides stability should one get injured.  They still have Johan Santana and he's still the most dominant left-handed pitcher in MLB.  Additionally, the Mets have one of the best infields in the game.  Delgado is still a huge left-handed bat and a serviceable first-baseman.  Wright and Reyes give Hall of Fame credentials to the left half of the infield.  Castillo is a slick glove man at second and provides a decent bat in the leadoff spot.

Weaknesses: The Mets must learn how to finish.  Their historic 2007 collapse was followed by a 2008 season where the team finished 13-12 in September and finishing 3 games behind Philadelphia.  Carlos Beltran has already fired the opening salvo toward their rivals, stating quite confidently near the opening of Spring Training that the Mets would beat Phillies ace, NLCS and World Series MVP Cole Hamels.  Expectations for the Mets are very high this year.  A lot of money has been invested in this pitching staff and the team must learn how to win in the late summer if they have any chance of challenging Philly for the NL East.

Players to watch:  K-Rod is coming off of a season where he beat Bobby Thigpen's record for saves in a single year.  His transition to the National League and the condition of his arm after all of those saves will be something to watch.  Also, keep an eye on Delgado.  At 36, he can still swing the heavy lumber, but a hip problem could land him on the DL at any time.

Projected finish:  The Mets are close, real close, but they also share a division with a resurgent Atlanta Braves and a hungry young Florida Marlins team to go along with the defending champion Phillies.  It's going to be a Battle Royal all season long in this division which should make it exciting.  If the pitching holds up and guys like Reyes and Wright do their jobs, the Mets will be in the running.  If the pitching stands up, they should win the division.

News and notes:  The Mets officially open their new $850 million ballpark, Citi Field, on April 13, 2009.  Rookie Daniel Murphy appears to have the starting job in left field for opening day.  Murphy is a natural third baseman but obviously all is well at the hot corner with David Wright there.  Murphy played in 49 games for the big club last season.  He hit .313 and had a .397 OBP in 131 at-bats.  The 6-3, 210 pound Murphy provides another strong left-handed bat for the Mets.