Mets Sign RHP Chris Young

[EmpireWF]

right-hander, with an assist to Mo

pending a physical.

Solid signing, I assume it's incentive-laden (no details yet). If he can stay healthy, he's a solid arm.

[Goober]

The Mets are my sleeper team for 2011. Obviously they'll be hard pressed to make the playoffs, going up against the Phillies and Braves; but they'll be a lot better then people expect. Young and Capuano have a lot of upside, and if healthy they should be great at Citi Field.

[Mogriffjr]

Young's a righty empire.

this is a solid signing...we expect Young/Caps to grab these few spots in the rotation here...shall be interesting since Young is coming off another injury riddled season.

[Lanteri]

Meh. Still 4th in the division, at best.

Decent enough pickup though.

[EmpireWF]

Meh. Still 4th in the division, at best.

Decent enough pickup though.

With all the question marks (Santana, Pelfrey, the rest of the rotation, K-Rod, Bay, Beltran, Reyes, Thole/Davis starting from day one, Pagan as a 4th OFer, new manager), this team is competing for 3rd.

Anything above is gravy.

[Lanteri]

With all the question marks (Santana, Pelfrey, the rest of the rotation, K-Rod, Bay, Beltran, Reyes, Thole/Davis starting from day one, Pagan as a 4th OFer, new manager), this team is competing for 3rd.

Anything above is gravy.

Ehhhh, even 3rd is pretty high expectations considering how much more talent the Marlins have than the Mets.

[EmpireWF]

Ehhhh, even 3rd is pretty high expectations considering how much more talent the Marlins have than the Mets.

When did this happen? I know the Marlins have a nice looking rotation on paper, but a lot has to go right for that line-up to be productive over 162.

[Obst]

Marlins have a good pitching staff and outfield, but that's where it stops. I think the Mets can compete with them.

[Lanteri]

Marlins have a good pitching staff and outfield, but that's where it stops. I think the Mets can compete with them.

Yeah, that's where it stops alright....or not.

Quick breakdown:

Starting Pitching: Advantage Marlins by far.

Relief Pitching: About equal. Neither bullpen is particularly impressive. Both pens had guys last year that were successful, but no one really has a sustained track record of success.

Catcher: Even, with a potential edge to the Mets should Thole be an effective starter. You pretty much know what you're going to get from Buck in Florida, but Thole is still a relatively unproven commodity.

1st Base: Even as well. Davis and Sanchez were more or less mirror images of each other last season. Davis posted a .791 OPS while Sanchez posted a .788.

2nd Base: Advantage Marlins. Castillo is well past washed up. Infante isn't particularly impressive either outside of last year, but at this point in their respective careers he has to be considered the better player.

3rd Base: Mets. Wright's better than whoever the Marlins decide to trot out there between Helms and Bonifacio.

Shortstop: Advantage Marlins. Simply put, Hanley's the best at the position bar none. Reyes is 1b behind Hanley when he's actually healthy, so this could almost be a push as well.

Outfield: Push. At this point, both team's outfields are truly unknowns. We don't know what Beltran and Bay are going to show up for the Mets. We don't know what kind of sophomore seasons Morrison and Stanton are going to have.

So, out of everything, the Mets really only have one clear strength over the Marlins, and that's at 3rd base. Otherwise it's either a push, or in favor of the Marlins. I would say the Mets will be chasing the Marlins, and not the other way around. Not to mention, there's tremendous upside to the Marlins as far as their younger players are concerned in Stanton, Morrison, and Sanchez, while the Mets are relying on relcamation projects, aging, and oft-injured veterans who may never reach their previous successes.