Centerfielder for the New York Mets

[diesel99xx]

What can we expect from him this year? Will he bounce back, most projections have him at 20-20 best. Does anyone think he will return to stud status? Being a Met fan we need a big year out of him offensively and defensively.....I'm hoping he is .285 32 HR's 105RBI's and 25 Steals. I did not see any posts regarding him directly so I thought I would start a discussion on him.

[Madison]

32 homers playing half his games at Shea? I think 32 is a bit much, maybe 25-28 if he does bounce back. The 25 steals could happen, along with the 105 rbi's though.

I've been projecting him low, just so if he doesn't bounce back big, I didn't waste a high pick on him.

[SouthBronxBombers]

I can see the average at .290, but I don't see the hr's cracking 30.

[The Kavorka]

Hopefully he'll adjust to NY in his 2nd year.
He's healthy.
Delgado will make everyone else in that lineup better.

I just hope Willie bats Beltran 2nd as opposes to 3rd.

All signs point towards Beltran rebounding. I think he's a steal in the late 2nd or early 3rd round.


.280
27 HR's
25 SB's
95 Runs
100 RBI's

[acsguitar]

God I hope he bounces back!

[Mookie4ever]

I see him racking up a ton of steals this year 30+

Didn't the Mets lead the NL in SB last year? He will have the green light all of the time.

I see good runs and Avg. but disappointing hr and rbi numbers.

[bigh0rt]

.282 AVG, 24 HR, 84 RBI, 92 Runs, 31 SB

[diesel99xx]

.282 AVG, 24 HR, 84 RBI, 92 Runs, 31 SB

Lets say he puts up these numbers, he is def worth a 2nd round pick in my book then!

[Coppermine]

.282 AVG, 24 HR, 84 RBI, 92 Runs, 31 SB

That's about exactly what I expect, but I try to look on the more positive side for his average; I think he could reach .290, but probably not higher. A lot also depends on where he hits in the order.

I think that if he bats second, his AVG and SB's will be higher, but his R's and RBI's will take a hit. I think the 2 spot is the perfect place for Beltran, behind Reyes and in front of Write, Delgado and Floyd. I don't think Randolph wants to have Delgado and Floyd, two lefties, his back-to-back because they'd be so susceptable to late inning lefty specialist relievers. If that's the case, here's my preferred lineup:

1. Reyes
2. Lo Duca
3. Wright
4. Delgado
5. Beltran
6. Floyd
7. Nady/Diaz
8. Hopefully anyone other than Matsui

I think Beltran would hit well in that 5 slot and Wright deserves to hit 3rd. A switch hitter between Delgado and Floyd will also completely negate any specialist relievers, and Beltran is still enough of a power threat to give the Mets a deep order. Unfortunately his speed will be under-utilized in that position.

The Mets look good, but when you really consider all the factors that make baseball great, Willy seems to have his work cut out for him.

[Bing Hampton]

I've read a lot of crazy things around here, but Beltran batting fifth is pretty far out there. Even after last year's debacle, he has to be considered one of the best top of the order guys in real baseball. Omar brought him to be the face of the Mets, and there is virtually no chance he will be getting bumped down in the order. I think 25/25 is pretty likely for him, with more runs than you guys are talking about(giles, furcal, rollins went over 100 in the NL East with similar OBP skills) and an average of anywhere between 270 and 300. He's the same player as ever.