'08 RAPs: New York Mets

Following a year that ended in disaster, the Mets have turned the page as a franchise. The acquisition of Johan Santana have made the Mets a super-power for the next five years guaranteed. Despite not having a great off-season quantity wise, and starting off with some sub-par moves, Omar Minaya has had a quality winter that reastablished him as a top-notch GM.

Here are Omar's moves:

• Re-signed second baseman Luis Castillo, catcher Ramon Castro, and Damion Easley.
• Acquired pitcher Brian Stokes from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash.
• Acquired outfielder Ryan Church and catcher Brian Schneider from the Washington Nationals for outfielder Lastings Milledge.
• Signed pitcher Matt Wise to a one-year contract.
• Acquired outfielder Angel Pagan from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Ryan Meyers and outfielder Corey Coles.
• Signed outfielder Brady Clark, second baseman Jose Valentin, and pitcher Tony Armas Jr. to minor league contracts.
• Acquired pitcher Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra and signed him to a six-year contract with a vesting option for 2014.
• Signed infielder Olmedo Saenz to a one-year deal.

Team Rundown:

Pitching Staff:
SP1: Johan Santana
SP2: Pedro Martinez
SP3: John Maine
SP4: Oliver Perez
SP5: Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez/Mike Pelfrey
CL: Billy Wagner
SUM: Aaron Heilman/Duaner Sanchez

Field:
C: Brian Schneider/Ramon Castro
1B: Carlos Delgado
2B: Luis Castillo
SS: Jose Reyes
3B: David Wright
LF: Moises Alou/Endy Chavez
CF: Carlos Beltran
RF: Ryan Church/Endy Chavez

Predictions:
Easiest- The Mets will win the division.
Boldest- John Maine and Johan Santana will both win 20 games.
Team MVP- Duaner Sanchez (sub-2.00 ERA)
Best Season- Johan Santana (20-23 wins, sub-2.50 ERA)
Best Hitter- Carlos Beltran (40-50 HRs, 145-160 RBI, NL MVP)
Breakout Player- John Maine (18-21 wins, 2.75-3.25 ERA)

Stay Tuned: Tomorrow will be the final Rundown and Predictions for the 2008 NL Eastern Division!