I laugh at the Mets!

The Mets just acquired Johan Santana for a few prospects and I say good for them. All of the pundits are now saying that the Mets are the team to beat for the National League, not just the NL East. I reply, "Oh, the team that choked the last two years, first in the playoffs, then before the season even ended last year? They crumbled down into NOTHING last year. And they lost their best starting pitcher TO THEIR DIVISION RIVAL. True they got Santana, but he goes once every 5 days, and he will have to adjust to a new league. Ask Barry Zito how it is to adjust to a new league. Let's take a look at why I don't even think the Mets will win the division...

C For Atlanta, Brian McCann v NYM's Brian Schneider...advantage BRAVES. McCann has won a silver slugger. McCann was brought up to the majors to be Smoltz's personal catcher. He did so well the team got rid of Estrada for him. They traded Saltalamacchia because of the confidence they had in McCann. He was JUST signed to an extension to be a Brave for quite a while. Brian Schneider was once lifted after about 900 baserunners stole on him in one inning.

1B Big Tex v Carlos Delgado....slim advantage Braves. DID YOU SEE Tex after the trade? throw in the fact that Mark is playing for a contract in front of his hometown fans and Delgado had his worst season ever last year. Is he coming down from HGH/steroids perhaps?

2B Kelly Johnson v Luis Castillo/Jose Valentine Advantage BRAVES. My grandfather, who once played in the majors calls Kelly Johnson the sweetest swing he's ever seen. Plus my PeePaw called him a BASEBALL player, high praise from my grandfather, a former player himself.

SS Yunel Escobar v Jose Reyes Advantage Mets. Yunel is just so young and let's see him do it all year opposed to just filling in. True Reyes sort of fell apart at the end of the year, but he is still a known commodity, and Escobar isn't right now.

3B Chipper Jones (when healthy) v David Wright. When healthy,advantage Braves, but Dave Wright is going to play 155 games this year and CJ will only play 120 maybe. This is a PUSH because the backup (Pete Orr?) isn't as good as David Wright.

LF Matt Daiz v Moises Alou. Daiz has played really well in a platoon and he might again with Brian Jones/Jordan Schaffer And Alou is older than dirt. PUSH only because I believe a single player is better than a platoon, but if Daiz plays all by himself, I might push it back to the Braves.

CF Mark Kotsay v Carlos Beltran. Advantage Mets, Only because Kotsay is going to have to adjust BACK to the national league. But Mark Kotsay will certainly be good if his back holds up, but Beltran has the nod. Now if we were comparing the hotness of their wives, Kotsay wins EASILY!

RF Jeff Francoeur v Ryan Church Advantage BRAVES. Gimmie a break. Frenchy, as much as it pains me to say it, is a STUD. The Braves need to lock him up and quick, otherwise he will be the next centerfielder for the NY Yankees. He is GOOD.

SP Smoltz v Santana Big Game John v Johan in a new league where he NOW HAS TO HIT TOO! Push I'd love to give this to John, but he is really old and Johan is in his prime right now. But in a one game DO-OR-DIE, Smoltzie is the man, and Johan has fallen flat in his most recent ALDS start.
SP Huddy v John Maine. Puh-lease! Huddy in a walk.
SP Tom Glavine v Pedro Martinez Tommy is back with the Braves, giving it one last go. Pedro is trying to make it all the way back from an injury. Glavine WILL be getting those calls now that he's back with the Bravos. Advantage Braves.
SP Mike Hampton v Oliver Perez. This one goes to the Mets because who knows with Hampton these days. Perez at least WILL be out there.
SP Chuck James/Buddy Carlyle/JoJo Reyes v Mike Pelfrey/Orlando Hernandez/Kyle Lohse Advantage Mets. The three are competing for one stop and all three are pretty good for New York whereas for the Braves...enh. Plus James may not be back for the season.

Bullpen Gonzo and Yates v Schoenoweis and Heilman Advantage Braves. They are making moves to sure everything up and when Gonzo returns...wow.

Closer Soriano v Wagner advantage the younger guy that can throw it just as hard and fast. BRAVES
so that's 8-4-3 in favor of the Braves.

I say Braves win the division by 3 games!