Robert Sabo (2); Charles Wenzelberg/New York Submit; USA TODAY Sports activities
Every spring coaching, our Submit editors ask us to preview the Mets’ season and determine the group’s strengths and weaknesses whereas including our personal predictions.
Usually these previews are well-received, but in addition lengthy forgotten by the season’s conclusion. Not this yr. This can be a new period of accountability, and we’re all for it.
So let’s check out what we projected for these 101-win Mets earlier than the season began and see the way it ended.
Most necessary hitter
What we wrote: Francisco Lindor’s contract extension, value $341 million over 10 seasons, is about to begin. Merely, the Mets want Lindor to revert to the shape final seen from him in 2019, when he posted a .854 OPS. Lindor has really regressed in every season since 2018, when he reached his peak with Cleveland.
Submit-script: We had been shut on this one. Finally, Pete Alonso was most likely the group’s most necessary hitter primarily based on the facility component he introduced with 40 homers and 131 RBIs, however Lindor had a formidable rebound season for the Mets, posting a .788 OPS whereas bringing consistency to the lineup.
Most necessary pitcher
What we wrote: The Mets’ season began plummeting final yr as soon as Jacob deGrom hit the injured listing to start the second half. To that time, the ace right-hander was having a season for the ages, with a 1.08 ERA in 15 begins … Even with Max Scherzer’s arrival, if the Mets are going to have a season that leads to plentiful October baseball, they may want deGrom again for a giant chunk, wholesome and acting at his normal stage.
Submit-script: DeGrom was actually necessary, however we’re not so positive he was the Mets’ most vital pitcher this season. That distinction most likely belonged to Edwin Diaz, who had an epic season within the nearer’s function, placing out 118 batters in 62 innings with a 1.31 ERA. The sounds of Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco” at Citi Discipline normally signified a door slamming on the opposition.
Can have a much bigger yr than anticipated
What we wrote: J.D. Davis has change into one thing of a forgotten man after a hand harm sidelined him for a lot of final season after which affected his productiveness upon his return. However Davis nonetheless has a candy swing and will present juice from the DH spot and backing up at third base.
Submit-script: Swing and a miss. Davis by no means received rolling, and his enjoying time diminished earlier than he was dealt to the Giants on the commerce deadline. Darin Ruf arrived in that deal and was an excellent bigger disappointment for the Mets, leaving a gaping gap from the appropriate aspect that prompted the Mets to provide DH alternatives to Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez.
Probably to disappoint
What we wrote: Robinson Cano is coming off a second PED suspension — this one price him all of final season. He’s 39 years previous and already has a lot of the fan base turned in opposition to him, as a reminder of the commerce that despatched high prospect Jarred Kelenic to Seattle earlier than the 2019 season, plus Cano’s PED infractions. … The Mets have Jeff McNeil to play second base and Dominic Smith as a lefty DH possibility, so Cano received’t simply be rolled out daily if he isn’t producing.
Submit-script: Bingo. Cano struggled and received launched by the Mets in Might. He had transient stints with the Padres and Braves, however doubtless has performed his final main league recreation. The Mets nonetheless owe him $20 million for subsequent season within the remaining yr of his contract.
Key call-up
What we wrote: Tylor Megill helped save the Mets’ rotation final season and can doubtless be an necessary arm once more this yr. Whether or not it’s filling in for deGrom early within the season or taking one other rotation spot later, the Mets want him.
Submit-script: Megill was heading in the right direction earlier than hitting the injured listing in Might. After his return, he struggled after which returned to the IL for an prolonged keep. David Peterson was the extra important call-up for the Mets. The left-hander pitched to a 3.83 ERA in 28 appearances, and helped maintain the rotation afloat with deGrom and Scherzer on the IL.
Greatest managerial determination
What we wrote: Over time Buck Showalter has earned a repute as a supervisor expert in dealing with the bullpen. The Mets have a number of gifted arms within the bullpen this season, however it will likely be Showalter’s job to assemble the items.
Submit-script: The bullpen remains to be a puzzle. Adam Ottavino and Seth Lugo had been reliable arms main into Diaz, however there was extra uncertainty than the Mets would have appreciated.
Don’t be shocked if
What we wrote: Tomas Nido splits time behind the plate with James McCann this season or turns into the beginning catcher altogether. Nido has improved offensively in latest seasons and his pitch-framing abilities stay excellent.
Submit-script: Nailed it.
Positive to make followers grumble
What we wrote: The Mets are banking closely on Brandon Nimmo to anchor the outfield. However together with his penchant for accidents, Nimmo additionally presents a danger. If he wants an prolonged keep on the injured listing, a big phase of followers will undoubtedly surprise why the group didn’t re-sign Michael Conforto. The Mets even have veteran legs in Starling Marte and Mark Canha and would favor to not want Smith or McNeil to play the outfield for an prolonged stretch.
Submit-script: Nimmo stayed wholesome, and Conforto remained unsigned after present process shoulder surgical procedure.
Will make the playoffs if
What we wrote: DeGrom returns from the IL and combines with Scherzer for at the least 45 begins.
Submit-script: DeGrom and Scherzer mixed for simply 34 begins, and the Mets nonetheless simply reached the postseason.
Will miss the playoffs if
What we wrote: The entrance workplace is looking the scrap heap for arms by June and final yr’s underachievers within the lineup (led by Lindor) haven’t gotten their acts collectively.
Submit-script: Trevor Williams and Peterson had been strong plugging rotation holes, guaranteeing the Mets didn’t need to dumpster-dive for pitching. Lindor performed at a excessive stage.
Harm that will damage probably the most
What we wrote: They've already discovered it. If the Mets have any form of aura, it’s from deGrom standing on the mound each fifth day.
Submit-script: The Mets survived deGrom’s absence. Shedding Diaz would have despatched the Mets right into a tailspin.
Each recreation issues
The Mets, in shedding the NL East to the Braves in a tiebreaker, have solely themselves in charge after failing to win a recreation in Atlanta final weekend. That mentioned, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that the Braves had the advantage of a weaker schedule this season.
The Braves’ schedule included 4 video games in opposition to the lackluster Purple Sox (Atlanta went 3-1) as an alternative of the Yankees. The Mets performed the Yankees 4 instances and break up.
The Braves’ schedule included solely six video games in opposition to the powerhouse Dodgers (they went 2-4). The Mets performed a seventh recreation in opposition to the Dodgers, going 4-3.
The Braves’ schedule included 10 dwelling video games in opposition to the Mets and 9 street video games, which in itself may not be a giant deal besides that head-to-head competitors served because the tiebreaker for the division. The Braves went 7-3 in opposition to the Mets in Atlanta. The Mets went 6-3 in opposition to the Braves in New York. Possibly dwelling discipline was an element.
A well-deserved honor
Gary Cohen’s identify seems on the most recent poll for the Ford C. Frick award, which is offered every summer time in the course of the Corridor of Fame ceremonies for baseball broadcasting excellence. Lindsey Nelson, Bob Murphy and Tim McCarver are previous Mets recipients. Cohen, who has spent greater than three many years within the Mets broadcast sales space, is due for the popularity. His fastball stays sharp. That was evidenced throughout a latest SNY broadcast with newcomer Jerry Blevins that took Cohen out of his consolation zone of working with Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez. Cohen arrange Blevins properly, getting probably the most out of the previous Mets reliever.
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