Even more on Reyes

The New York Mets set out this winter to improve their starting pitching, find a bat in the outfield, figure out first base and settle on a catcher. They haven't accomplished much of that, but the key to their season was always going to be centered around the health of their stars.

Carlos Beltran will likely miss at least the first month due to knee surgery, but it looks like the news is good on shortstop Jose Reyes.

Reyes missed almost all of last season with a hamstring injury but his health at the top of the order might be more important to the Mets offense than any other single bat that hits behind him. Even without Beltran to start the year, David Wright and Jason Bay should get plenty of opportunities to drive in runs with Reyes manning the leadoff spot.

Reyes' presence also solidifies the infield defense as well, giving the Mets a reliable middle-infield defender to pair up with Luis Castillo.