The "What-If" Roster; An Alternate Universe

Baseball is much different than most other sports because college athletes do not make the jump from college star to the professional ranks within a few months. The minor league system develops the players over time and during those years there is bound to be a lot of change. Prospects are dealt all throughout the league and often times they wind up starring for a different club than the one that drafted them.

This is a possible roster for the Mets using players that they either drafted or traded for/away as prospects. It does not take into account whether or not the trade was good or bad for the team but just the fact that the player was once a minor leaguer for the Mets. It also factors in players that the Mets drafted but never signed due to player choice. No free-agent signings are included (aka no Beltran or Delgado).

Depth Chart

Catcher- Jesus Flores

Jesus Flores had a tremendous 2006 season in the Mets Minor League system but was drafted by the Nationals in the Rule 5 Draft. In 2008, his first full season, he hit .256 with 8 homers. He was hitting .311 with 4 homers this year until his year was cut short by an injury just 26 games in. He is considered a young player with a lot of upside.

First Base- Garrett Atkins

Atkins was selected by the Mets in 1997 but elected to go to college. He hit .301 for the Rockies in 2007 with 25 homers.

Second Base- Melvin Mora

Started off in the Astros minor league system but was signed as a free agent to the Mets organization in 1998. He made his major league debut with the Amazin's in 1999. He was traded to the Orioles and has been a two-time all star since (2003, 2005).

Shortstop- Jose Reyes

Signed by the Mets out of the Dominican Republic in 1999 and made his Mets debut in 2003. Hes been a two time All-star for the Mets.

Third Base- David Wright

Drafted by the Mets in 2001 Wright made his much anticipated debut in 2004. He has been a three time all star selection for the Mets. He has also won two gold glove and two silver slugger awards.

RF- Aaron Rowand

Drafted by the Mets in 1995 but elected to go to college instead. Rowand broke out with the white sox in 2001. He is a career .284 hitter but made the all-star game in 2007 with the Phillies.

CF- Carlos Gomez

Signed by the Mets in 2002 he made his debut with in New York in 2006. He was considered the Mets top prospect along with Fernando Martinez. Gomez came up with Reyes and Jose has often said that Gomez is faster than he is. Gomez was traded away to Minnesota in the Santana deal and has since taken over roaming center field for the Twins.

LF- Jason Bay

Bay spent just a few months with the Mets in 2002 before being dealt to the Padres; the team with which he would make his debut. He is a three time all-star with both the Pirates and the Red Sox. He has hit over 20 homeruns in each of the last three seasons.

Starting Rotation

#1 Scott Kazmir

15th overall selection by the Mets in 2002 he was infamously traded away by Jim Duquette in 2004 at the deadline for Victor Zambrano. Kazmir has a career record of 51-41 with the Rays. He is a two time-all star but has struggled this year due to injury.

#2 A.J. Burnett

Drafted in 1995 by the Mets he was traded away to the Marlins in the Al Leiter deal. Has a career record of 95-80 and a 3.81 era. He is 8-4 with the Yanks this year

#3 Jeremy Guthrie

Was selected by the Mets in 1997 but elected to go to BYU. He has a career record of 25-23. His breakout year was in 2007 with the Orioles when he was in the running for rookie of the year when he started 26 games with a record of 7-5 with a 3.7 ERA

#4 Brian Bannister

Drafted in 2003 and made his Mets debut in 2006. He was traded to KC for Ambriox Burgos, who is now a free agent, in 2007. Bannister has gone on to post a 29-33 record with the Royals with a 4.5 career ERA. His breakout season was in 2007 when he went 12-9 and was in the race for the rookie of the year award (finished 3rd)

Bullpen

Scott Proctor

Drafted in 1995 by the Mets and traded to the Yankees in 2003. He made his debut in 2004 but became a very reliable late inning option for the Yanks in 2006. Torre relied on him heavily, often pitching two days in a row. He signed on with the Marlins for 2009 but has opted to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Octavio Dotel
Signed by the Mets in 1993 and made his debut 6 years later for the Mets. He has bounced around as starter, closer, relief pitcher for the Mets, Yankees, Marlins, Astros and A's.

Matt Lindstrom

Drafted by the Mets in 2002 and traded to the Marlins in 2006. He has since emerged as the closer for the Marlins.

Other Notable Players

David Dejesus

Lastings Milledge

Darin Erstad