Five problem spots for contenders -- and the solutions

	The Mets made improvements throughout their lineup this offseason, but they are still stuck with Kaz Matsui's weak glove at second base. David Bergman/SI
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- One thing is certain about the 2006 Mets: This is not the Worst Team Money Can Buy.

To be sure, this was a pricey bunch to put together. That's what happens when your GM operates with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, lavishing huge contracts on free agents and acting like the Godfather of GMs in trade talks -- he likes to give other teams an offer they can't refuse.

No matter how the Mets got to this point, though, the reality for this season can't be denied: They have a ton of talent, most of it in the right places.

"This club can compete with anybody," Mets newcomer Julio Franco said on Tuesday. "We can match player against player against any team."

For the most part, the ageless one is correct. New York has filled many of the gaping holes that kept last season's surprising 83-79 squad from making a serious playoff run. The Mets have a legitimate bat at first base (Carlos Delgado) and the back end of the bullpen is now a strength (Billy Wagner).

Right-hander Aaron Heilman, who starred in relief last season and will get a spot in the rotation, has the makings of an above-average starter. With an improving Jose Reyes -- he drew two walks in an intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday -- and Delgado, Carlos Beltran, Cliff Floyd and David Wright, this lineup has power, speed and flexibility.

"Even my power hitters can hit righties and lefties," manager Willie Randolph boasted.

It's too bad the hellbent-on-winning Mets didn't finish the job. Why would Omar Minaya & Co. take on all these long-term contracts (Pedro Martinez, Wagner, etc.) and trade away so much of their farm system (Yusmeiro Petit, Gaby Hernandez, etc.) to win this year and not find a replacement for their potentially fatal problem? That's right. It's time to talk about the elephant in the Shea living room: Kaz Matsui.

Mets fans are looking forward to another season of Matsui the way Vince Young is looking forward to another Wonderlic, which is to say not at all.

Matsui's hitting woes are easy enough to document: a batting line of .265-.320-.380 in 727 major-league at-bats. And that's the good news. The bad news is he has to play defense too, and second base isn't where you want to put your weakest glove.