A
PEDRO MARTINEZ

Met ace could be Cy Young winner by season's end. Has risen to nearly every big-game occasion and been jolt of Red Bull for clubhouse. An ace in every manner.

C-
TOM GLAVINE

Incredibly up-and-down season has taken him from All-Star at this point last year to team's fourth-most effective starter.

A
CLIFF FLOYD

Huge homers, clutch catches and, most important, no major injuries. On pace to break Mets' single-season homer mark, yet defense is most pleasant development. All-Star or not, the Mets' best player so far.

C-
DAE-SUNG KOO

Great that he doubled against Randy Johnson and scored from second on a bunt, but he's paid to get lefties out. Has been only slightly better at that than Royce Ring.

A
ROBERTO HERNANDEZ

That he's become most reliable reliever on staff is season's biggest surprise, period. Forty-year-old has been durable arm who's excelled in squelching opposing rallies.

C-
ROYCE RING

Impressed by striking out Eric Chavez, Ichiro Suzuki, Jim Thome and Bobby Abreu. Hasn't impressed by posting bad ERA and walking too many.

B+
AARON HEILMAN

Has gone from first-round disaster to contributing swingman who arguably should be in rotation. Complete-game one-hitter was highlight and shock. Friday was lowlight.

B-
BRADEN LOOPER

Three of blown saves have resulted in crushing losses. Has been fairly reliable other than that. But compared to last year, strikeouts are down and ERA is up.

D
KAZ ISHII

Has been worst starter on staff this year, though he's pitched a bit better. Still, giving up too many homers lately and probably shouldn't be starting anymore.

A-
MARLON ANDERSON

Majors' best pinch-hitter has also been better defensively than expected, even while playing unnatural positions (first base, right field).

B+
DAVID WRIGHT

How many 22-year-olds would you rather have than this kid? Miguel Cabrera, but that's it. Already a polished hitter, but needs to improve defense. Future Met captain.

C+
HEATH BELL

Essentially strikes out a batter per inning and doesn't walk many. Strands many inherited runners but has been giving up a lot of hits lately.

D
DOUG MIENTKIEWICZ

Should be a stat that counts how many errors he's saved with his Gold Glove. Defense has been excellent, but bat (.219) has been big disappointment.

A-
CHRIS WOODWARD

Quite an upgrade over Joe McEwing as utilityman. Has played everywhere but pitcher and catcher. Solid bat who has adapted well to role.

B
VICTOR ZAMBRANO

Has kept walks down lately and emerged as solid starter with poor run support. Scott Kazmir-for-him could still end up being Ryan-for-Fregosi, but he's done fine job this year.

C+
CARLOS BELTRAN

Was performing fine before strained quad and has played better since getting healthy. Still, must produce more to validate contract. No reason to expect he won't. Talent, work ethic and professionalism are superb. Has been terrific in clutch.

D-
KAZUO MATSUI

Hard to dislike as a person, hard to like as a player. How can he not be better at second base? Where'd all his doubles go? Could be entering his last half-season as Met.

B+
KRIS BENSON

Closest thing to Mets' No. 2 pitcher has almost always provided chance to win. Pitched well on big stages vs. Yankees.

B-
MIGUEL CAIRO

Steady infielder has been basically what was expected, though he battled hamstring problem. Base-stealing threat whom you always feel comfortable having in lineup.

C+
MIKE PIAZZA

You hear a lot how he isn't what he was. True, but he's still having perhaps the best offensive season of any NL backstop and should finish year with around 20 homers and 70 RBIs. Still allows tons of stolen bases.

B+
MIKE CAMERON

Despite injuries, has been steady bat who has avoided prolonged slumps. After initial reservations, has made impressive adjustment to right field.

B-
RAMON CASTRO

Late-inning defensive replacement has helped keep Mike Piazza fresh. Offensively, has taken good at-bats and drawn share of walks.

C+
JOSE REYES

Leadoff skills must improve, but at just 22, might become fourth shortstop since 1950 to post at least 50 extra-base hits and 45 steals (A-Rod, Larkin, Rollins). Biggest thing? Stayed healthy.

C
WILLIE RANDOLPH

Love attitude and swagger, but hard to grade higher when more talented team than last year is performing at basically the same mid-year level.

B-
OMAR MINAYA

Has succeeded big (Pedro, Beltran) and small (Hernandez, Woodward), but must bear criticism for moves that haven't worked (Mientkiewicz, Ishii). Has brought stability and excitement, but real grade won't be known until later.