Know Your Enemy: New York Mets

"Injury" is the key word for the 2013 Mets, but let's begin by talking about how they sent their best pitcher from last year away. (Hint: this isn't going to be a pretty picture.)

The Mets joined the Marlins in sending an important player to the Blue Jays in exchange for prospects (granted, they got some pretty good ones in return). R.A. Dickey had a fantastic season and won the Cy Young Award for the 2012 Mets. They still lost 88 games. This year, the Mets hope Matt Harvey, one of their best prospects, steps up and takes over the rotation, because the alternative is hoping that Johan Santana returns from yet another injury. The Mets also signed free agent Shaun Marcum, but he, too, is coming off an injury-plagued season. So is Dillon Gee, who suffered a heart problem that was nearly life-threatening, never mind just career-ending (he is, fortunately, fine now).

So maybe the hitting will pick things up. Let's see. Ike Davis had a miserable year and got hurt. Outfielder Mike Baxter hurt himself diving for a ball to help preserve Santana's no-hitter, the first in Mets history, last June. David Wright is healthy. That's good! The starting catcher is John Buck, who hit .192/.297/.347 last year. That's not good! And his backup is Anthony Recker. Remember him? He played for the Cubs last year, for about five minutes, and wasn't good enough for Theo & Jed to keep around.

Frank Francisco is currently listed on the Mets' depth chart as closer, but he could be out for the season. Or he might be ready for Opening Day. (Who knows? Remember, this is a guy who once threw a bullpen chair at a fan during a game.) Bobby Parnell will close if Francisco can't. He has 14 career saves.

It's going to be a long summer at Citi Field.

The Cubs will face the Mets May 17-18-19 at Wrigley Field, and June 14-15-16 in New York.

Tomorrow, we'll take a look at the Philadelphia Phillies.