Mets returning to full strength

For the first time since April of 2009, the Mets will have their “top 8″ (each player first on their depth chart) in the lineup together against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Game time is 9:40, and Mike Pelfrey will pitch against Ian Kennedy and a powerful D-Backs lineup. It will be interesting to the outcome if Aaron Heilman gets any save chances in this series.

Luis Castillo was called up today, and Ruben Tejada was demoted. I don’t have a problem with this move. Castillo will provide much more offense over Tejada (if he’s right, he’ll hit 100 points higher), but is a big downgrade in the defensive department. However, if healthy, Castillo can still play an average second base, and he still turns a good double play.

I might have opted to send down Justin Turner, but he seems adept enough with the glove, and can play second and short like Tejada with a better bat.

So here is your New York Mets starting lineup, FINALLY HEALTHY! (Can’t wait till Johan pitches in front of this lineup)

1. Jose Reyes SS
2. Angel Pagan RF
3. David Wright 3B
4. Carlos Beltran CF
5. Ike Davis 1B
6. Jason Bay LF
7. Rod Barajas C
8. Luis Castillo 2B
9. Mike Pelfrey SP

A quick plug-I wish Josh Thole would be first on the depth chart, seeing as with the bats they are providing, Barajas and Blanco might as well be catching instructors. But it seems Thole, after he next catches R.A. Dickey, will be demoted when Oliver Perez returns to the team. Perez seems to be headed to the bullpen…but I’ll be honest…I would rather see him get a chance to start over Takahashi, who has just been ripped all season outside of a few good starts. Maybe if we’re lucky, we won’t have this problem-the Mets will likely still try to convince Ollie to take a minor league assignment.

All things considered, I’d rather bring in a Ted Lilly, someone from the outside.

Let’s go Mets!