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David Wright already has made it clear his expectation is the Mets not only will reach the postseason this year, but win the World Series.
Cue the famous Jim Mora clip: “Playoffs? Playoffs?” In other words, Wright has got to be kidding.
The Mets will be improved from last season’s 70-92 disaster in which Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado missed significant action, but the Phillies are still the obvious team to beat in the NL East — with the Marlins, Braves and Nationals also seemingly on the rise.
Jason Bay should bolster the Mets’ lineup, but the starting rotation has holes, and you still have to wonder about the bullpen, with questions looming about the setup role and Francisco Rodriguez coming off a mediocre season.
AL PREVIEW: EAST IS STACKED — AS ALWAYS
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6 THINGS TO LOOK FOR FROM THE YANKEES
6 THINGS TO LOOK FOR FROM THE METS
The stars — and subs — will have to align perfectly for the Mets to reach their first postseason since 2006.
FIRST BASE: Daniel Murphy has the job for now, but must prove he can hit enough to stay in the big leagues. Ike Davis had a huge spring and is biding his time in the minors.
SECOND BASE: Luis Castillo probably was the team¹s most consistent hitter last season, but there are still scars lingering from his awful 2008 season and the popup he dropped at Yankee Stadium.
SHORTSTOP: Jose Reyes’ hamstrings are healthy and his thyroid levels are back within normal range after a scare that cost him three weeks of spring training. The Mets gladly will take the Reyes who hit .297 with 56 stolen bases in 2008.
THIRD BASE: David Wright is concentrating more on driving the ball after hitting 10 homers last season. If everybody remains healthy, he¹ll have plenty of protection in the lineup, unlike last season when he had to shoulder the load.
LEFT FIELD: The Mets spent $66 million on Jason Bay with the idea he can fill the power void within the lineup. Bay is a legitimate slugger, but on the flipside is prone to strikeouts. And he won’t challenge for a Gold Glove with his defense.
CENTER FIELD: Can Carlos Beltran stay healthy? He already is shelved for the season¹s first month as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, and there always will be lingering questions about his durability. When healthy, he is still among the game¹s top outfielders. Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews Jr. will hold the fort until Beltran returns.
RIGHT FIELD: Jeff Francoeur embraced his July trade from the Braves, showing flashes in last season’s second half that he can be a valuable component to the Mets’ lineup. If Francoeur’s prediction of 27 homers materializes, the Mets could have the NL¹s best outfield.
CATCHER: Rod Barajas has plenty of experience behind the plate and could be a steal for the Mets if he approaches his numbers with the Blue Jays last season, when he hit 19 homers. Henry Blanco is an experienced backup who likely will play more than once a week.
STARTING ROTATION: Johan Santana is worth the price of admission every fifth day, but who really knows what to expect from Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Oliver Perez? The latter two were injured for much of last season, and Pelfrey was a disaster, posting a 5.03 ERA. Jon Niese finally could be ready to prove he¹s a major league starter, but the Mets likely will regret not signing Ben Sheets, Jon Garland or Joel Pineiro to add some depth behind their ace.
BULLPEN: Francisco Rodriguez slumped in last season’s second half after a perfect 2 1/2 months to start the season. Maybe it was just a case of prolonged inactivity for K-Rod with the Mets in so few save situations. Pedro Feliciano is reliable, but who really knows about Ryota Igarashi, Bobby Parnell and Sean Green? Jenrry Mejia created a buzz in spring training, but is 20 years old.
BENCH: Gary Matthews, Fernando Tatis and Alex Cora will provide veteran depth, and Pagan will be added to that mix once Beltran returns. It’s a solid-but-unspectacular group.
MOST IMPORTANT EVERYDAY PLAYER: Jose Reyes is the key ingredient to the Mets’ lineup, but now it’s a matter of getting him on track after an overactive thyroid kept him sidelined for much of the spring. The Mets only can hope they’ve seen the last of Reyes’ hamstring troubles.
MOST IMPORTANT PITCHER: Johan Santana is still an elite starting pitcher. Roy Halladay’s arrival in Philadelphia makes for a nice subplot in the Mets-Phillies rivalry, as the debate could rage all summer over which team has the better ace. Santana is on record as saying he’s picking himself.
WILL HAVE A BIGGER YEAR THAN EXPECTED: There are plenty of forecasts calling for Jason Bay’s numbers to be diminished because of cavernous Citi Field. But Bay has legitimate pop and should make a run at the 36 homers he hit last season for the Red Sox.
MOST LIKELY TO DISSAPPOINT: Daniel Murphy is firmly on the hot seat as he attempts to prove he’s an everyday major league player. Murphy needs a fast start more than any other player on this club or he could be gone by Memorial Day.
KEY CALL UP: Ike Davis is waiting in the minor leagues if Murphy doesn’t produce. Davis made a splash during spring training, showing power and a good overall plate approach. He is the future of the franchise at first base.
BIGGEST MANAGERIAL DECISION: Who pitches the eighth inning? Kelvim Escobar was supposed to be the answer, but the veteran right-hander arrived in camp with shoulder weakness and never got close to game shape. Jennry Mejia eventually could be the answer, but the Mets don’t want to rush him into that role. Ryoto Igarashi and Bobby Parnell will have chances.
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF: Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya survive the season. The Mets aren’t a playoff team, but won’t be nearly as bad as last year, either.
SURE TO MAKE FANS GRUMBLE: Luis Castillo rebounded offensively after a horrific 2008 season, but still has defensive problems. The moans will build to crescendo at Citi Field with each Castillo error.
THE METS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF: They stay healthy and Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Oliver Perez combine for 40 wins.
THE METS WILL MISS THE PLAYOFFS IF: Maine and Perez spend more time rehabbing in Port St. Lucie than pitching in the majors.
INJURY THAT WOULD HURT THE MOST: If Santana goes down for any extended period, the Mets are finished.
mpuma@nypost.com