Eric Simon on Amazin’ Avenue refers us to Baseball Think Factory who have posted their 2008 ZiPS projections. ZiPS projections are computer based projections of expected production.

ZiPS predicts a .313/.405/.540 line for David Wright, .302/.365/.489 for Moises Alou, and .270/.355/.449 for Lastings Milledge.

ZiPS predicts the Mets pitching will do well, both in the bullpen and rotation. Kevin Mulvey is projected to be a breakout star.

Mulvey had a 3.24 ERA with Double-A Binghamton last season. ZiPS predicts Mulvey, if given the opportunity, would have a 4.02 ERA, 38 walks and only 10 homeruns allowed in 141 Major League innings.

Eric also highlights how Baseball Think Factor, as an impartial third party outside of us Mets fans, gives a honest assessment of “The Collapse™”

While the Ny Mets are not my favorite squadron, reports of the Mets’ demise are grossly premature. When a team collapses as badly as the Mets did the last few months of the season, people always look for some narrative to explain that loss. That the Mets are just a very good team that just played badly for awhile is generally not sexy enough for the headlines, but that’s what most likely happened. How often did one hear OMG 4.67 SEC0ND HALF ERA!!!!!! the last few weeks of the season? While that’s extremely disappointing, April, May, June, and the first third of July aren’t exhibition games and the Mets did a very good job at getting those same big leaguers out over that span. Even with the bad second half, the Mets for the season got above-average performance out of both their rotation and their bullpen. Maine and Perez are young and back and while Pedro’s health is likely going to always be a question-mark, 5 starts is certainly below Pedro’s mean health projection.

While I never doubted that the Mets were a very good team, they still need to work harder at finishing teams off next year. The Mets became too complacent and too comfortable with their dominance in the first half of the season. The talent level is not the problem, the focus and execution is what needs to improve this season.

A few bullpen arms and another starter wouldn’t hurt either.