From JOEL SHERMAN

The Mets have the best starting pitcher in the NL in Johan Santana, but do not have a powerful rotation. They have the best closer in the NL in Francisco Rodriguez, but do not have an overwhelming bullpen. They have two of the better all-around players in the NL in Carlos Beltran and David Wright, yet do not have either a particularly effective offense or defense. And they are not a dogged or fundamentally sound team as anyone who has watched them run the bases can attest. So what do we make of this particularly top-heavy roster? Yes, the Mets have assets, mainly in their major stars. But do they have template of a winning club? What exactly is their strength? They are 7-3 against the major league-worse Nationals and 23-23 against everyone else as they ready for a week against the Phillies and Yankees.

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