Xavier Nady is one of the newest additions to the NY Mets. He continues to show bursts of explosive power, while waiting for the opportunity to nail down a regular job and relax. Nady homered in four consecutive games in late June, and crushed a game-winning grand slam, in Atlanta in mid-August. Nady has the athletic ability to handle first or any of the outfield spots. It could be his time to burst out as a 25-homer, 90 RBI man.

His impact on his team has never been greater than it was last summer. Had the Mets remained viable Wild Card contenders two weeks longer, Floyd probably would have received some bottom-of-the-ballot support for the league MVP award. He won games with his improved and bolder defense, his arm (a league high 15 assists) and his bat (34 home runs and 98 RBIs) and won respect with his Willie Randolph-encouraged willingness to play everyday. I the 2006 season, he has to have a great year at the plate and the field to maintain his position. If he fails to do so, he will probably be replaced by a great, young prospect named Lastings Milledge.

Paul Anthony Lo Duca and his wife, Sonia, make their off season home in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Apollo High School in Glendale, Arizona. He was scouted and signed be Eddie Bane. He was an All-America selection by baseball America, first team All-Pac-10 selection, and the Sporting News College Player of the Year in his only year at Arizona State University in 1993. After batting .446 with 14 home runs and 88 RBIs, he led the Sun Devils to the college world series. He was traded to the Mets in the off season. He has a lot of pressure coming into this season because he will be replacing Mike Piazza, who is one of the greatest hitting catchers of all time. 

Jose Antonio Valentin and his wife, Ilka, have 2 sons, Jesmuel and Yomar. He graduated in 1987 from Fernando Collejo High School in Manati, Puerto Rico. He was the White Sox nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in each of his past four seasons…prior to the 2004 season. He will be very important for the Mets coming off the bench.

Julio Franco recorded his 2500^th career hit with a second-inning single against Pittsburgh’s Mark Redman on July 30. He became the oldest player to produce a two-homer performance and the second oldest to hit a triple. After suffering an elbow injury, recorded just eight hits in his final 46 regular season at-bats.