The Mets are really struggling right now, but talent wise, I think they're unmatched in the NL. Should they be able to back into the playoffs, I wouldn't want to face them.

The Mets barely missed out on the World Series last year, and with their offense I see them making it all the way in 2007. Jose Reyes is an incredible talent from the leadoff spot, and he still may be getting better. Carlos Beltran is still in his prime and one of the best players in baseball, while David Wright and Carlos Delgado should both rack up a ton of RBI. I don't see a lot of teams being able to stop them. While Pedro Martinez may be out for the beginning of the year, their rotation is still solid. Glavine may be the only star pitcher in the current rotation, but the rest of their guys are solid. Billy Wagner is a great closer, and I see the Mets making moves during the summer to improve the rest of their bullpen and any holes that may pop up in their rotation.

I really don't think there is any team out there worthy of a 5- there's certainly no powerhouses out there like the Reds of the mid 70's or the Yankees of the late 30's or any dominant teams where you really have to give them a 5 before the season starts. I'll give this squad a 3.5. While they have some great players in their lineup, like Wright, Reyes, Delgado, and so forth, they also have a lot of question marks in their rotation, which seems pretty fragile to me. Glavine is old, effective- but still aging. Martinez won't be back until pretty late in the year, and the rest of their rotation at present is comprised of kids and retreads. They  have a decent pen, and have enough to compete for the division, but I don't see them as being as good as they were last year.

The Mets will have a tough time duplicating their accomplishments of 2006. Pedro is a questionable starter and Glavine is also on his way to decline. They are on the border of potentially good or bad.