It’s hard to believe the Mets are a team with hopes of going to the World Series with all the questions they have with one week remaining in spring training. First off, who will be the fifth starter? My money is still on Mike Pelfrey but he did nothing to solidify his chances yesterday when he pitched in the same game Orlando Hernandez started. If you missed it, El-Duque was atrocious and Pelfrey was worse.

No one could honestly have expected Hernandez to pitch any better than he did. He’s been bothered all spring with a bunion on his right foot. He’s learned a new delivery and cannot seem to throw a fastball past 85 mile per hour. It was no shock he got lit up for 5 runs in three innings. What I do find shocking is Pelfrey’s inability to get the job done. After one good inning, he got toasted for 8 runs with rockets getting hit everywhere. A first round draft pick with very good stuff, Tom Seaver he isn’t.

I’m starting to think there is a mental makeup issue with Pelfrey. He knows the fifth slot was his to lose and I guess there’s the psych. When Pelfrey starts to think on the mound he gets into trouble. He’s got the stuff to be an excellent pitcher but for some reason, Pelfrey has yet to be able to channel it consistently. In fact, Hernandez and Pelfrey have been so bad of late, the name Nelson Figueroa has been popping up more frequently when discussing the fifth starter situation.

Another big question is who will make up the bullpen. Obviously Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Matt Wise, Scott Schoeneweis, and Jorge Sosa will be in the pen. What about Duaner Sanchez and Steven Register. If Sanchez is not able to pitch on back to back days, he will not make the club out of spring training opening a spot for Register. Steven was selected in the Rule 5 draft and must stay on the Mets roster the entire season or turn him back over to Colorado. The Mets could try to make a deal with Colorado to keep Register but at what cost. The problem with the Mets again is underachieving older players with big contracts. For example, the Mets would love to get rid of Jorge Sosa or even Scott Schoeneweis but who can be conned into taking either of them? It’s very unlikely the Mets will release either pitcher because of their contracts. I’m sure they would gladly take low level prospects for either guy. The Mets hope there is some team in need of bullpen help before the start of the season.

It would be a shame to lose the 24 year old Register who shows a lot of promise and has pitched very well this spring. He could be a long term member of this pen going forward but the way things are right now, Register will only be on the team if the Mets make a deal to move someone or Sanchez stays behind, a more realistic possibility.

Another question is the lineup. The Mets need another right handed bat in the outfield. Angel Pagan will most likely be that player. Pagan has had an excellent spring but having followed this game for almost 50 years I can tell you I’d like to have a dollar for every spring superstar that turned into a dud once the season started. The fragility of the Mets hitters is also an issue. Will Carlos Delgado’s hip hold out? Will Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro’s hamstrings be a nuisance all year? What about Carlos Beltran and Luis Castillo’s knees?

With all these questions it’s pretty hard to predict the Mets will win a playoff spot let alone get to the World Series. The Mets are still a work in progress and still need to get younger. If you think I’m screaming the sky is falling consider the chances this team will have if an injury would occur to Jose Reyes or David Wright. Hopefully these players will remain healthy all year again. Otherwise, Shea’s last season could be very forgettable.