By LAUREL PFAHLER,  Associated Press

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) _ Now that R.A. Dickey’s gone, the New York Mets have to replace his wins– and innings.

Coming off their fourth straight losing season, the Mets enter spring training with a projected rotation of Johan Santana, Jon Niese, Shaun Marcum, Matt Harvey and Dillon Gee, a quintet that combined to go 35-34 with a 3.26 ERA last season.

The Mets figure to need a strong group of starters.

New York’s bullpen was its weakest link last year. Mets relievers had a 4.63 ERA _ 29th in the majors, ahead of only Milwaukee’s 4.66. General manager Sandy Alderson rebuilt it, adding Brandon Lyon, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Atchison and LaTroy Hawkins.

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