#7
The New York Mets made huge headlines over the offseason with a new owner and a new superstar. Now the expectations are ridiculously high for this team that was under .500 in 2020. Will they be able to reach those expectations?
#14 - 3rd in NL East
MIH - Robinson Cano
MIP - Edwin Diaz
PTW - Kevin Smith
2020 Results
#21 - 26-34, 4th in NL East
The Mets were not that bad in 2020, but they got stuck in the crazy NL East where they were tied for the worst record in the division with the defending champion Nationals. Jacob deGrom followed up back-to-back Cy Young seasons with a 3rd place finish, they had a bounceback season from Robinson Cano, and several young players had breakout seasons like Brandon Nimmo and Dominic Smith. So although the final record doesn't show it, there were definitely some good things that happened in 2020.
Additions / Subtractions
If there was one move this offseason that revitalized an entire organization that had nothing to do with the roster, it was definitely the announcement of new owner Steve Cohen in Queens. If there was one move this offseason that revitalized an entire organization that did impact the roster, it was the Mets trading for Francisco Lindor. The Mets also added to the rotation with Taijuan Walker via free agency and Marcus Stroman who is back after opting out last season. This will make up for Steven Matz signing elsewhere. They should also be getting back Noah Syndergaard at some point this season too. The biggest subtraction might have been a blessing in disguise when Robinson Cano was suspended for the season for steroids. They will miss his bat in the lineup, but they enjoyed having the extra $24 million to spend in free agency. Overall, the offseason went about as good as possible for the Mets.
Most Important Hitter
Francisco Lindor
Of all the players in the league, the most pressure might be on Francisco Lindor to singlehandedly turn around a slumping franchise. He has to try and do that while also being in the final year of his contract. Many think it is a foregone conclusion he re-signs with the Mets, and contract negotiations are currently ongoing, but the biggest storylines with the Mets revolve around him. Can Lindor really make that much of an impact? Was he worth the steep price they paid to get him? Will he be in Queens beyond 2021? This is by far the most important hitter on the team this season.
Most Important Pitcher
Marcus Stroman
We all know Jacob deGrom is possibly the best pitcher in baseball, but he can't pitch every day. The rotation needs depth, and it needs more than one ace to compete with some of the elite rotations in the division and the National League in general. With Syndergaard still recovering from an injury, this has to start with Marcus Stroman. When Stroman is right, he is one of the best pitchers in the game. The best example of this is probably the near no hitter he threw in the WBC Championship a few years ago. However, the Mets have only seen him for part of 2019 before he opted out of 2020. He needs to come back and show he is ready to be dominant again. This is also his contract year, and if he wants to get the big pay day, this year has to be him at his best.
Prospect to Watch
Khalil Lee
The Mets are ranked the 19th best farm system in baseball. They have some decent talent in their system boasting 4 Top 100 Prospects. The problem is none of it is very close to the majors (you can probably thank the Cano for Kelenic trade). The player most likely to impact the big league roster this season is Khalil Lee. Lee is the 7th best prospect in the Mets system and was the key piece the Mets received in the Benintendi to KC deal this offseason. He has the makeup of a solid big league outfielder, and with the lack of depth in the outfield for the Mets, he could be called up at some point and get a chance to show what he can do.
2021 Prediction
2nd in NL East, WILD CARD, lose in NLDS
I think the Mets have done enough to make themselves a serious contender in this division again, even with as competitive as it is going to be. Francisco Lindor should breathe life and excitement into this team, Pete Alonso should bounce back after a slight sophomore slump, and with Syndergaard coming back mid-season, they should be getting healthy and dangerous at just the right time. I have them grabbing a Wild Card spot, and knowing that Jacob deGrom is probably pitching a Wild Card Game, they should take down any lineup they face, even if it is the Padres. They might not get much farther than that, but this will be a huge step forward for a franchise that finally might be competing with the Yankees for notoriety in the Big Apple.
Fearless Prediction
Robinson Cano has played his last game in the big leagues.
Robinson Cano's career was on a Hall of Fame path just a few short years ago. He was the best second baseman for about a decade, he revitalized a Mariners franchise and almost singlehandedly made them relevant again, and he continued to show he was one of the most natural baseball talents of his generation. Then he was suspended for steroids in 2018, missing a huge chunk of the season. Then the trade to the Mets happened, giving him a fresh start back in New York. Although 2019 didn't go great, 2020 showed the Mets there was still some life in that 37 year old bat. Then this offseason he received his second steroids suspension, this time knocking him out for an entire season. If this season is as successful without him as it is looking to be, the Mets might want to move on, even though he is still under contract for 2 more seasons after 2021. Also, after a full season suspension, baseball might just be done with him, and one of the greatest players of the 21st century so far might be sent off and never heard from again.
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