MLB Preview 2015: New York Mets
New York Mets 2014 Record: 79-83
Team Overview:
It is impossible to start a Mets preview without mentioning David Wright. Wright has been one of the most consistent baseball players of the past decade. Unfortunately in 2014 he saw a large lack of power and his overall production. He seemed to have a few nagging injuries including a back injury which caused him to go to the DL. Wright was more productive after his time off but at 32 he is a big question in where the Mets go. They seem to have a good mix of veteran and young talent and if he can stay healthy enough to drive and lead the team the Mets will be in the playoff hunt in 2015.
This is due to what the Mets seemed to have found themselves last season. Juan Lagares in 2014 had a good rookie season and if he can take a step forward they have a defensive star, and potential lead off hitter. This will help Curtis Granderson who will join Lagares in the outfield, and now can hit lower in the lineup. Granderson is 34 and has lost a lot in his bat after leaving Yankee stadium. He spent most of his time leading off for the Mets but with Lagarares he can hit sixth, which may help his average. The team paid for Michael Cuddyer who will join the two in the outfield and play some first and they hope for him to pick up the potential Granderson slack at the plate. He will play first in a platoon with Lucas Duda, which helps Duda greatly, because he hit 30 home runs, 28 of them off of a right-handed pitcher, and hit .180 against lefties. The infield is somewhat complete with Daniel Murphy being a strong every day second baseman. Wilmer Flores and Travis D’Arnaud round out the lineup and both come with a different set of question marks.
The Mets pitching has its share of question marks as well but I would suspect this group is still in good shape. A young ace emerged with Matt Harvey in 2013, and Tommy John surgery ended his 2014. Harvey is only 26 so this should be an exciting year for an emerging pitcher. John Niese answered some questions in 2014 by proving he can hang in the rotation and even led it for stretches in the season. He is best slotted as third or fourth punch if the Mets want to compete and will have good competition to find one. Jake DeGrom comes in at age 24 and off a rookie of the year campaign. DeGrom has been progressing every year, and is a potential break out candidate, Bartolo Colon comes in as veteran inning eater at age 41. He had an average 2014 season for the Mets but if he can eat innings while the youngsters get going he is a good fit for the team. Zach Wheeler was another young pitcher to watch but his injury gives Dillon Gee a chance to open on the rotation. Gee was rumored a lot in trades this off season, but fresh off a good 2014 he will have a lot to prove as that last man.
What To Watch For?
To continue with the rotation the team has two young prospects in AAA, Noah Syndergaard was traded mainly for RA Dickey and it looks like the Mets may win that trade now that the former sixth overall pick is ready to be what many thought he would. The team doesn’t have a huge need for him yet so they can bring him in when they want but he should be MLB ready by May. They also have a 24-year-old hard throwing Rafael Montero. Montero made 10 starts last season, and while he struggled at times, he also proved he can miss bats. Both should be considered early on in the rotation.
Even without Wheeler this season it is certainly a possibility that they are in great shape to trade a pitcher. Whether the Gee rumors heat back up due to him holding his own in a rotation, or one of the younger guys I would expect a move. Harvey should be the only untouchable and given the price the Mets can get a good haul from a couple of these guys. With Wright being the driving force, and a now questionable one, adding a hitter could ease the pressure on him and help push the lineup. I would guess that Syndergaard would draw the biggest return, but time will only tell how willing the Mets are to move him.
That’s a lot to watch but what do you know the Mets have more to offer. They have a young prospect Kevin Pawlecki, in AAA ready to make an MLB debut. Pawlecki can catch but I think the team has faith in d’Arnaud so he will look to be a right-handed first base option. That would help Cuddyer play right field every day and while it doesn’t drive a lineup it does help the depth of the everyday team. That could be an underrated addition.
Where Do They Rank?
The Mets are far from a complete team but there are signs that they can win games. If they can compete while learning exactly what they have they can be contenders in July and they have the assets to complete the team. I think that until I see exactly what they have in the deep pitching staff, and who can emerge in the lineup I rank them 3rd, but wouldn’t be surprised to see them in a wild card race.
