nymetsfans:

NEW YORK — Jaded or otherwise, there exists a significant sect of Mets fans already looking forward to 2012, when the team will shed tens of millions of dollars off its payroll and, presumably, take major strides toward competing in the National League East. But Spring Training is a time for optimism. Spring Training is nearly here. And the Mets are collectively hoping for their improvement to begin this spring — not next.

In addition to general manager Sandy Alderson’s stable of low-risk, potentially high-reward offseason signings, the Mets will return a core of veterans that, at least on paper, appears formidable. The first six hitters in the lineup rank among the better groups in the NL. The pitching staff has a history of quality production.

Add to that the return of feel-good stories Angel Pagan and R.A. Dickey, and things suddenly don’t appear quite so dim for the Mets.