How does the roster currently shape up?

The Mets will have their first exhibition game against the Nationals in about a week, and it appears that their roster is pretty much set. Here is what the roster's depth chart currently looks like: (40 man roster including non-roster invitees)

Catcher                                                                                                    First Baseman

1. Travis d'Arnaud                                                                                     1. Ike Davis

2. John Buck

3. Anthony Recker

4. Landon Powell      

5. Juan Centeno      

Second Baseman                                                                                         Shortstop

1. Daniel Murphy                                                                                       1. Ruben Tejada

2. Justin Turner                                                                                          2. Omar Quintanilla

3. Wilmer Flores                                                                                        3. Brian Bixler

4. Reese Havens                                                                                        4. Wilfredo Tovar

5. Brandon Hicks

Third Baseman                                                                                              Left Field

1. David Wright                                                                                          1. Lucas Duda

2. Zack Lutz                                                                                               2. Juan Lagares

3. Josh Satin

Center field                                                                                                   Right Field

1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis                                                                                   1. Mike Baxter

2. Matt den Dekker                                                                                    2. Collin Cowgill

3. Jaime Hoffmann                                                                                      3. Marlon Byrd

4. Jordany Valdespin                                                                                  4. Andrew Brown

Starting pitchers                                                                                                 Closer

1. Johan Santana                                                                                       1. Frank Francisco

3. Shaun Marcum

4. Matt Harvey

5. Dillon Gee

6. Zack Wheeler                                                                                               Setup man

7. Jenrry Mejia

8. Jeremy Hefner                                                                                         1. Bobby Parnell

9. Collin McHugh                                                                                        2. Brandon Lyon

10. Aaron Laffey                                                                                         3. Jeurys Familia

11. Cory Mazzoni

12. Hansel Robles

13. Rafael Montero

14. Gonzalez Germen

Middle relievers                                                                                    Left handed specialist

1. LaTroy Hawkins                                                                                         1. Josh Edgin

2. Elvin Ramirez                                                                                              2. Pedro Feliciano

3. Greg Burke                                                                                                 3. Robert Carson

4. Scott Atchison                                                                                            4. Darin Gorski

5. Carlos Torres                                                                                             5. Scott Rice

                                                                                                                      6. Tim Byrdak 

Byrd has a chance to win outfield spot

Marlon Byrd arrived in Port St. Lucie this morning, and Manager Terry Collins said that Byrd has a good chance to win an outfield spot outright and not in a platoon situation. 

"You're talking about a guy who's in this camp, who has a chance to make a huge difference - besides Lucas Duda - it might be Marlon Byrd," Collins said. "This guy was one of the best players in the National League not very long ago. If he is the same player he was in Chicago a couple of years ago, we might have found ourselves our right fielder."

Byrd hit .210 in 47 games with the Cubs and Red Sox in 2012, but made the National League All-Star team as a member of the Cubs in 2010. 

The only way that I'd give Byrd the starting job is if he has an incredible Spring Training. The Mets are starting a youth movement and Byrd is clearly not part of the future, so he has to look really good before I give him 500-600 at-bats. I'm not sure what to expect from Byrd, but I am still glad that they brought him along. If he finds a way to hit once again, he'll be an ideal bench piece to have, and for practically nothing in terms of money.

I am actually okay with the idea of using a Zack Lutz or Jordany Valdespin in right field. We have all heard about how good of a hitter Lutz is supposed to be, but injuries have seriously held him back. It is also worth mentioning that he was stuck behind David Wright on the depth chart, so he is going to need to move to the outfield in order to find some playing time. Valdespin would be a decent option but his defense may be somewhat shaky. He isn't an outfielder by trade (neither is Lutz), but I am curious to see what he can do over a full season.

Francisco to be shutdown, Parnell named team's closer

According to several reports, Frank Francisco has been battling elbow inflammation, and will be shut down for the time being. Terry Collins told reporters that Francisco has been dealing with the inflammation for the last week or so.

"He's not throwing. So, we will take a look. I talked to him last week. He did play catch, and there was some inflammation in there. It's nothing the training staff wasn't prepared for - they thought it might happen. So we just want to quiet the swelling down before he plays catch. Frank told me last week "I'll be ready." Collins said.

Francisco underwent minor elbow surgery back in December and had a terrible 2012 season, posting a a 5.53 ERA in 48 appearances. He was shutdown after September 16 because of right elbow soreness. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Collins is going to tell Bobby Parnell tomorrow to begin preparing to be the team's closer. 

I don't want Francisco to be injured, but this could be a blessing in disguise for the Mets. Parnell has been given the opportunity to close out a few games over the past year or two, and has had mixed results. Some say that he can't handle the pressure of the 9th inning, and others believe that he needs to work on his control and a secondary pitch to go with his deadly fastball that occasionally reaches 100 mph. I'm looking forward to seeing Parnell step up and finally prove that he can handle the job. And, if he doesn't have success, Collins could use Lyon, or even Hawkins as the interim closer. This is why bullpen depth is key to have a successful team. Luckily Sandy Alderson went out a grabbed a few decent arms when he had the chance. 

Turner to practice in the outfield two times per week in camp

According to Terry Collins, Justin Turner will work out in the outfield twice per week in hopes to become more of a versatile player. Turner performed a few outfield drills during workouts this morning, and has no problem with Collins using him there. 

"It's fine - whatever it takes to get more at-bats," Turner said. However, he has never played a game in the outfield throughout his Major League career. 

I'm not really crazy about putting Turner out in the outfield because Collins is going to need to build his team around solid defense -- something that Turner wouldn't be able to provide if he was put out in the outfield. Being an outfielder isn't something that can be taught just like that and, with that being said, I expect Turner to get the bulk of his playing time as an infielder, specifically a second baseman. 

Turner has really surprised us with his timely hitting over the past two years, and I have no problem with him making the team as a bench player. However, his bat just simply isn't threatening enough to give him the everyday job in a position like right or left field. 

Mets miss out on Michael Bourn

On Monday, the Indians agreed to sign free agent outfielder Michael Bourn to a four year deal worth $48 million. The contract also includes a fifth year vesting option worth $12 million. According to reports, Bourn's first choice was to sign with the Mets, who he had an agreement on the years and dollars, however he didn't want to wait 2 to 3 weeks tor resolve the issue concerning the draft pick. 

Getting Bourn would have made the whole outfield situation a lot easier to glance at, but I suppose that it was never meant to be. At that price, I am almost happy that the team stayed away from Bourn, because I didn't expect him to get that kind of money at this point in the off-season. I don't blame Bourn (and his agent Scott Boras) for jumping all over Cleveland's offer because the money is there, and there is too much uncertainty regarding the Mets and their situation. 

I am surprised that the Mets offered Bourn a four year deal, because I was under the impression that the most he would offer was three. Perhaps that changed at the end of their negotiations. Anyway, now that all of this Michael Bourn talk is behind us, we can head into the 2013 season with what he have. The current three outfielders are not nearly as talented as Bourn, but at least they are cheaper, and apparently that is all that matters at this point in time. 

Pitchers and Catchers report today! Here are some pictures from PSL

Today the MLB off-season finally concluded, and pitchers and catchers are reporting to Port St Lucie. According to several Mets insiders, there are already 55 players in camp, including 20 position players who have arrived a week early. Here are some pictures of the players working out in the camp. (Courtesy of Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, and Michael Baron of Metsblog.com)

Interesting photo here between Murphy and Flores. Both of them will be fighting for the long-term second base job. 

Travis d'Arnaud's jersey.

Here is the old "Tradition Field" sign on the new ballpark. 

Ike Davis

Wally Backman

Wilmer Flores

Zack Wheeler