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No. 10 New York Mets
2000 Record: 94-68 (2nd NL East) The New York Mets went from the wild card to the World Series last season. This year's team will contend for the postseason again, but a return to the World Series will be a tough task. That's because Al Leiter and the rest of the staff will have to make up for the loss of 15-game winner Mike Hampton. Kevin Appier and Steve Trachsel were signed to strengthen the staff, but neither one has posted an ERA under 4.00 since 1997. Armando Benitez held opposing hitters to an NL best .168 average, and he'll be the closer again. The usual cast of John Franco, Turk Wendell and company are back to set up. You can expect big years out of Mike Piazza and second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, but the rest of the offense could be a question mark. Robin Ventura hit a career low .232 with shoulder problems last season, and he'll have to rebound. And the Mets could use a little more production from the outfield. That will happen if Jay Payton can continue to improve. Putting the 28-year old In Focus shows he finished first among NL rookies in hits, and second in home runs and extra-base hits.
The Mets still have the talent to make it to October, but I think they took a step back from last season. I rank them as the 10th best team in baseball.
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