The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Google Images Mets New Pitcher, Johan Santana

The New York Mets look forward to the 2008 season as a fresh start after their infamous collapse at the end of last season. The Mets conceded the division championship to the Philadelphia Phillies after losing a seven-game division lead over their final 17 games.

Hoping to put the sour memory behind them, the Mets traded promising yet controversial outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Washington Nationals for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church.

They also made the biggest splash in the off-season when they beat out the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in a trade for one of the game's best pitchers in Johan Santana. The Mets sent top prospects Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Santana.

The Mets tightened up their outstanding needs this off-season. Along with the veteran leadership of Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana, and Billy Wagner, the Mets have an array of young talent like David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Endy Chavez to be sure fire World Series contenders.

The Mets expect a big season from their players. After a dormant end of 2007, Jose Reyes has the most to prove. The pitching staff will also have to step up big if the Mets plan on playing October baseball. The 2008 season will be the final season at Shea Stadium. On opening day 2009, the Mets will play their home games at brand new Citi Field.

It looks as if the Mets will be in a close race with the Phillies for the division again this year and the players seem eager to prove the critics wrong and take back the National League East division and make it to the World Series.

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