By Patrick Mulrenin / MLB.com

Jeremy Griffiths, who played in the Dominican Republic, will vie for the fifth starting spot. (Ed Betz/AP)

Last offseason the Mets sent 16 prospects to winter leagues in Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Of those 16, eight played for the Mets at some point in 2003. Jason Middlebrook and Pat Strange (Mexico); Raul Gonzalez (Puerto Rico); Jae Weong Seo, Jason Roach and Marco Scutaro (Venezuela); Ty Wigginton and Jose Reyes (Dominican Republic) all spent time in New York last season.

Wigginton landed the starting third-base job for the Mets. Reyes made his Major League debut in the middle of the season and proved why he was touted as the team's top prospect, but injuries shortened his year. Seo was steady in the rotation, and Gonzalez played well as a reserve outfielder at various points throughout the year.

Middlebrook (five relief appearances), Strange (six relief appearances) and Roach (two starts) popped in for brief auditions with the pitching staff, while Scutaro played 48 games and batted .213 during his short stint with the Mets.

This year, Wigginton and Reyes are expected to start at third and second base, respectively. Reyes is making the switch because the team signed former Japanese League star Kaz Matsui in December. Seo is penciled in as the team's fourth starter, and Gonzalez will likely have a backup spot in the outfield.

This offseason the Mets had only three players in winter leagues. Gonzalez once again played in Puerto Rico. Second baseman Victor Diaz and right-hander Jeremy Griffiths spent their time in the Dominican Republic.

Gonzalez performed well, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 32 runs for the San Juan Senators. Diaz, who will probably start the year at Triple-A Norfolk, finished strong, hitting .320 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 128 at-bats. Griffiths is one of the contenders for the Mets' fifth starting spot. He went 1-2 with a 6.94 ERA for Gigantes.

While it remains to be seen whether Gonzalez, Diaz and Griffiths will fill roles for the Mets in 2004, their efforts in their respective winter leagues will not be overlooked.

Patrick Mulrenin is an editorial producer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.