[EmpireWF]

Official now, it's been reported on the local radio that the Mets told Aaron Heilman he will start the season in the bullpen. This is a move that will attempt to strengthen the bullpen even more with guys like Pedro, Glavine and a question mark in Zambrano starting.

The expected 5th starter is Brian Bannister. A week ago, it was thought that he would start in Triple-A Norfolk but their worries over the bullpen nixed that.

Here's the expected pitching staff for the Mets:

Opening Day Starter- Tom Glavine
Victor Zambrano
Pedro Martinez
Steve Trachsel
Brian Bannister

Closer- Billy Wagner
Aaron Heilman
Duaner Sanchez
Jorge Julio
Chad Bradford
One other pitcher

[Lefty Noob]

Seems like a solid move, so long as it doesn't weaken the rotation too much. I like Zambrano, and I think he's got real potential, but having him, Trachsel and a guy who was supposed to start the year in the minors after Glavine and Pedro doesn't seem like the strongest starting five a team could throw out there, you know?

[ThePundit]

The only reason Zambrano is in the rotation is because The Mets traded Kazmir for him and have to see it through to try to lessen the amount of egg on their face.

Under normal circumstances, he'd have been shipped out already.

[EmpireWF]

Ain't that the truth Pundit, lol.

Zambrano sometimes shows flashes of great stuff but he tortures fans when he's on the mound. He just has these brain farts all too often to be regularly effective.

[Lefty Noob]

Zambrano sometimes shows flashes of great stuff but he tortures fans when he's on the mound.

It's those flashes that make me think that he's ultimately going to pull it together and become a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter for someone. Maybe if someone like Leo Mazzone were to take him under his wing...

[ThePundit]

Rick Peterson supposedly saw something in his mechanics when he was with Tampa and was supposed to straigten him out but it hasn't happened. The guy just can't throw strikes consistently.