UPDATE - Paul DePodesta

Paul DePodesta –

"Going into this year, absolutely, there's a lot more, I don't even know what you call it. It's not swagger yet, because we haven't earned that. But there's certainly a lot more optimism. Ultimately, our job as an organization is to win at the big-league level and that's where these successes need to manifest themselves. But there's a road that you have to take to get there. I think we are passing significant markers in that road. That's exciting."

Mack – I hope he’s right, but I can’t see how he can feel that way when most of the potential 25-man players are still either at home or on the way to Florida.

I was talking to someone last week about the Mets need for more take charge guys like David Wright. We both agreed that the release of Justin Turner was a good first move that hopefully lead to better bench players that will push the starters to produce more. Turner was a nice guy, but he was just happy just being a major league utility player. I’d like to think this team could find people that try to take a position or two away from the designated starters determined by the coaches.

Matt Harvey was a great clubhouse and dugout addition and I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t travel with the team this season. His desire to pitch this season is the kind of positive thinking this team needs more of. We all know this is a game of inches and the right winning attitude just could be the difference in 6-8 games.