I am going to over the next few days do a run down of offseason predictions with a little insight from a league source for both the Yankees and Mets. First I am going to start with predictions for the Mets offense. In my eyes your locks are Carlos Delgado at first, Jose Reyes at short, David Wright at third, Carlos Beltran in center, and Ryan Church in right. That leaves non guarantees at second base,left field and catcher. There is a little buzz going around that the Mets may look to dump Ramon Castro and get a different right handed catcher to go with Brian Schneider whom I am told the Mets have little to no intention of getting rid of. A couple names to think about, Pudge Rodriguez and Bengie Molina. I’d be shocked if this happened, as it’s not a real priority, so as of now I’d say you can expect the same catching tandem in 2009.

As far as left field goes, the Mets will atleast dip their toes into the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes, but I would not at all expect them to be the highest bidder, odds are he will remain a Dodger. The Mets very well may look at Raul Ibanez who they did like at the trade deadline, or they can go the platoon route with Daniel Murphy and a right handed bat, think either Nick Evans or maybe a guy like Juan Rivera who has tight connections with Omar Minaya from his days in Montreal. I even think left field is contingent on the Mets unloading Luis Castillo. If Castillo is dealt, that opens up second base for a run at Orlando Hudson, which as I posted a week or so ago, would happen if second base were open. If the Mets are going to commit $8-$10 million per on Hudson, you can’t expect Ibanez or someone of that nature in left, as there are too many other needs to be fulfilled on this team to just be throwing almost $20 million out to two offensive players when this team was 2nd in the NL in runs scored last season. Now for the predictions, and I ran these by a league source who said that it is a legitimate possibility that it could go this way.

Catcher: Brian Schneider/Ramon Castro – I believe it will stay the same, the need is not there to go spend another $5+ million dollars for a catcher, just go with what you have. Castro when he plays gives great production, and Schneider didn’t have a bad year at all last year. Both are just signed through 2009, so you can expect a new tandem come 2010.

First Base: Carlos Delgado – I don’t believe any of the reports that the Mets picked up Delgado’s option to trade him, he will be the Mets first baseman in 2009. He brought great clubhouse leadership that the team could not lose, and his offensive production from when Jerry Manuel took over and on was top tier, some even thinking he had an outside shot at MVP.

Second Base: Orlando Hudson (3 years $27 million with a 4th year team option at $10 million) – If he doesn’t end up a Met, I’d predict St Louis. Supposedly Hudson “yearns” to play for the Mets, and if the Mets can unload Castillo, then it is a great possibility. Hudson fits Omar’s mold of what he desires. Omar craves great defense up the middle, and with Schneider/Reyes/Hudson/Beltran, you’re talking about the best up the middle defense in the majors, by a wide margin. Hudson also brings great athleticism, something else Minaya typically covets, and he’s a great clubhouse presence of the Cliff Floyd/Mike Cameron mold, which is something a lot of people feel the Mets badly need. If Hudson is not the second baseman, I believe it likely would be because Castillo could not be dealt.

Third Base: David Wright – Even though according to Mike Francesa every team has a David Wright, this is THE David Wright. Let’s be honest, Wright is the cornerstone of this franchise, and to be honest it would be absolute blasphemy to even consider moving the guy. The core will stay.

Shortstop: Jose Reyes – He is the most dynamic and exciting player in the majors, He has won over the love of all the Mets fans, and the hate of every other team in the NL East. Whether they are hated or not, the Mets just need to take care of their business and win big baseball games in September, after two straight years of having a lead with 17 games to go and blowing it. Trading Reyes doesn’t get you any closer to the playoffs, because as Jose goes, the Mets go.

Left Field: Daniel Murphy platoon with Juan Rivera – I’m going to go with the platoon here, I don’t think the Mets are going to spend big on left field and second base by getting either Manny or Ibanez, I think they go the cheaper route, as Rivera wouldn’t cost you more than $3 million if that. With him and Murphy you should get some solid production from left field, and Rivera can shift to right when a tough lefty is on the mound with Fernando Tatis manning left that day. This is a cheap platoon, and I firmly believe they’d do the job quite well. Rivera and Murphy’s offensive talents are known, Rivera just never got the chance because of money committed by the Angels to different guys, and Murphy has under 200 big league at bats, but you can just tell how good of a hitter the kid is, the question is finding Murphy a position, after the Arizona Fall League he will go to the Puerto Rican Winter League and play strictly left field.

Center Field: Carlos Beltran – Any talks of him being traded are laughable. Beltran has a full no trade for the sole reason of not being traded. He didn’t like being traded from Kansas City to Houston, he signed this mega contract with the Mets, and got the no trade clause so he knew where he was for atleast the next 7 years. He will no doubt be a Met come 2009, no need to worry.

Right Field: Ryan Church – I don’t believe that Church is unhappy here, he comes to a winning situation, and gets to play every day, something he’s always wanted. With that said, he was very unhappy with in the last week of the season when he was taking daily cortisone shots in his back because it hurt so bad and he just wanted to play to help, he was showing up early despite injury. He was very unhappy about the fact that Ricardo Rincon and Duaner Sanchez strolled in late and got no punishment, it’s believed Church sat down Jerry Manuel to have a talk about that, and shortly there after Manuel had a talk with Rincon and Sanchez about being late. Church is one of the harder workers on the team, and is a great teammate to have around, and is a Minaya favorite, he’s highly likely to be the right fielder on opening day.

So with my predictions, how would you feel about the team’s offense? Sure a Manny would be nice, but is it really necessary? I don’t believe so. Add a couple solid parts like Hudson and Rivera, and that offense will be able to carry the load, it’s the pitching, both starting and relief that Minaya really has to worry about, and has to be his top priority. My next prediction post will come tomorrow, as I will predict the offense for the Bronx Bombers.

Tags: Brian Schneider, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Daniel Murphy, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Juan Rivera, Luis Castillo, New York Mets, Orlando Hudson, Ramon Castro, Ryan Church