KIRK NIEUWENHUIS, OF PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS: Our player review series concludes today with a look at the bench, which wasn’t without questions. With Ruben Tejada and Lucas Duda starting, that thinned the bench. Mike Nickeas was behind the plate; Justin Turner a capable reserve in the infield; and Scott Hairston and Mike Baxter were in the outfield. Kirk Nieuwenhuis opened the season in the minor leagues. The Mets liked Jordany Valdespin’s speed and ability to make [...]

 DAVID WRIGHT, 3B PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS: Fortunately, one expectation of David Wright did not come true, and that is the Mets would trade him by the deadline. Wright’s situation wasn’t quite like Jose Reyes’ in that Wright has an option for 2013, but the fear of losing him was there, nonetheless. A six-time All-Star who missed 60 games in 2011 because of injury, it was hoped he would return intact and prove his durability by playing [...]

Mets fans have had a solid month to reflect after another disappointing season in 2012. For some of us, it has been a time to cool off. While many fans may not be happy about the direction of the team–I assure you, things are going to get better. It may not look like it right now, but the Mets do have a bright future. Everyone gets caught up about fixing the situation right now, but [...]

 LUCAS DUDA, LF PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS: The expectations were in the form of wishful thinking when centerfielder Andres Torres and right fielder Lucas Duda reported to spring training. Unwilling or unable to add quality outfielders in the offseason – take your pick – the Mets opted for the bargain basement route. The Mets sent the underperforming Angel Pagan to the Giants for the non-productive Torres. A change of scenery has worked before and the Mets were [...]

John Harper of the Daily News summarizes, more eloquently than I ever can, why there are no more passes for Sandy Alderson and that he better start putting his Moneyball where his mouth is. The Godfather of the Moneyball concept that turned Billy Beane into Brad Pitt, Alderson took over as the primary Mets decision-maker two years ago with the reputation as a GM who could find value in undervalued players — someone who would work a [...]

According to Jon Heyman, the Cleveland Indians are not opposed to trading some of their best players such as Asdrubal Cabrera, Justin Masterson and Chris Perez.  But the one player on the Indians that the Mets should have on their radar is outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. The Mets are going into the 2013 season with the always hustling but never producing Jason Bay in left, your guess is as good as mine in center, and some [...]

Now that Jason Bay is gone, we can delve into some outfield options for the Mets. Will they make a big push to sign Melky Cabrera or Cody Ross? Will they attempt to re-sign Scott Hairston? Will they pursue a trade for Justin Upton or Shin-Soo Choo? One outfielder who probably won’t be an option is Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Red Sox will listen to [...]

The Mets infield faced many questions coming into the 2012 season. Will David Wright re-gain superstar status? Can Daniel Murphy survive as an everyday second baseman? How much will the Mets miss Jose Reyes? Let’s see how these questions were answered this season…. Josh Thole: D- Josh Thole has not become the player we thought he could be. After hitting over .300 in his last two minor league seasons, and showing glimpses of a future [...]

Adam Rubin reports: After being outrighted off the 40-man roster, Mike Nickeas has elected free agency, a team official said. Fred Lewis, who also had been removed from the roster, chose free agency as well. The Mets currently have catchers Josh Thole and Anthony Recker on the 40-man roster. C-Ya Mike…