Fantasy Take: The New York Mets

Fantasy Take: The New York Mets 2006

It’s hard not to like Mets players on your fantasy team. Outside of the second base and left field positions every player on the field should benefit from both their innate skills and the presence of a good offense in front of them as well as behind them. Expect good RBI and run totals from most offensive players and good win totals from the pitching staff.


The Top Tier

Pedro Martinez (SP) - The ace of the Mets staff showed that he still had the magic. While his win total (15) was disappointing the rest of the numbers were vintage Pedro (2.82 ERA, 208 Ks and 4 complete games). This year he’ll have a better offense and a better bullpen to push those win totals up by a few games. The only issue with him might be health.

Billy Wagner (CL) - Provided Wagner can stay healthy the Mets should offer him plenty of chances to rack up saves. The only thing besides his elbow that fantasy owner should be afraid of is that the Mets might win by more than three runs every game.

Carlos Beltran (OF) - Sure Carlos disappointed a lot of fantasy owner last year, and he may never hit 30 home runs again but a 20-30 season is real possibility and there aren’t too many players who can do that. Having Carlos Delgado behind him should get him better pitches to hit and should result in him scoring more runs.


The Second Tier - the first three guys on this tier could be ranked in the First Tier in National League only formats.


David Wright (3B) - David had a monster season last year and only his youth and lack of a track record keep him from being an elite third basemen in mixed leagues. In a National League only format he has to be considered elite, despite the fact that last season was his first full season in the majors. In any case his 5 category performance (.306-27-102, 99 runs scored and 19 steals) will make him a hot commodity in drafts this season.

Carlos Delgado (1B) - Ok, he’s not an elite option at first base anymore but he’s at the top rung of the second tier and still one of the best in the National League. Shea Stadium will decrease his numbers somewhat but he’s in good company and could easily.

Jose Reyes (SS) - Jose had a great season last year if you can ignore his terrible OBP and focus on his 60 SB and 99 runs scored. He coupled this with a respectable .273 batting average and 7 home runs. He’s still only 22 years old so improvement is a good possibility but he could also hit few rough spots. Learning how to take a walk wouldn’t hurt him and could elevate him into the elite ranks.

Cliff Floyd (OF) - Floyd stayed healthy last year and he finally produced a season like the Mets had been hoping for (.273-34-98 with 12 steals). He’ll be in a better RBI position this year and will have better protection too - so if the health lasts he’s an excellent choice in the second tier of outfielders.

Paul LoDuca (C) - LoDuca won’t provide a lot of power and his defensive skills count for nothing in most types of fantasy ball but he’ll continue to hit for average, score some runs and get some good RBIs. It should be more than most catchers get, and should surpass his totals from last year. You might downgrade him in mixed leagues.


The Third Tier
Steve Trachsel (SP) - After missing most of last season with an injury the Mets most consistant starter should be back in the saddle for the whole season. Pencil him in for a 12-15 win season a ~4.00 ERA and 120 ks. This should take some of the pressure of Tom Glavine, who had his best season as a Met last season.

Aaron Heilman (SP) - Heilman largely worked from the bullpen last season but he pitched well enough that the Mets want to make room for him in the rotation. He could be a real surprise and should be at least a fourth starter in most drafts.

Tom Glavine (SP) - He’s no Tom Seaver at this point in his career, but the Mets haven’t asked him to be that good. He pitched well last season (13 wins, 3.53 ERA and 105 K’s) which was good enough to make him the number two man in the rotation. This year with a healthy Steve Trachsel in the rotation the pressure should be off and all the extra run support could easily make him a 15-17 game winner.


Question Marks:

Victor Zambrano (SP) - After another disappointing showing and chronic elbow issues Mets fans are a little unhappy with Zambrano but he’s a pitcher with plenty of upside - especially if he’s healthy. An across the board improvement could be in order and he could step up to the ranks of number two or three pitchers, but he’s by no means a sure thing.

Jorge Julio/Chad Bradford (RP) - These are the two most likely candidates to step in as closer if Billy Wagner goes down with an injury. Either way a few closes will probably end up on their ledgers.

Xavier Nady (OF) - Nady hasn’t proven much in his time in the major leagues but this former first round draft pick was stuck playing in the hitter unfriendly PETCO park with a weak offense all around him. Playing in New York will be a different kind of pressure but here he’ll face lower expectations and won’t be asked to do as much. Maybe that and the intensity of the city will help him bloom.

Anderson Hernandez (IF): This is the guy the Mets would likely turn to if they decide to end the Kaz Matsui experiment and don’t look to acquire someone else by trade. Hernandez is a 23 year old who has raised a few eyebrows in the organization while playing shortstop. Last year between AA and AAA he went .314-9-54 with 80 runs scored and 35 steals. Watch for him in spring training and expect a few rough spots if he gets the job, but he could turn into a very good find if given a chance.