#3
The New York Mets continue to try and buy their way to championship. Will winning the offseason result in winning in the postseason in 2023?
#4 - 1st in NL East, lose in NLCS
MIH - Francisco Lindor
MIP - Max Scherzer
PTW - Brett Baty
2022 Results
#9 - 101-61, 2nd in NL East, WILD CARD, lost in Wild Card Series
Highest WAR (Position) - Jeff McNiel
Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Max Scherzer
This is how good the National League has been recently. The New York Mets won 101 games in 2022. Yeah, that was good for 2nd in the division. They lost in the Wild Card Series to the Padres, who you can argue were the more talented (and maybe higher spending) team. Then, the eventual NL champ was the 3rd place team from their own division. With the type of overhaul the Mets had before the 2022 season, it sometimes takes a year or two for the team to come together and play well as a unit. With that said, they still won 101 games.
Additions / Subtractions
Well, with new Mets owner Steve Cohen, since the Mets didn't win the World Series, it meant he didn't spend enough money. So he opened up the pocket books again. First, the Mets kept some of their own that were entering free agency by re-signing closer Edwin Diaz and outfielder Brandon Nimmo to huge deals. Then, they signed a second 40 year old pitcher to a contract paying $40 million per year. Last year it was Max Scherzer. This year it was Justin Verlander. They signed veteran Jose Quintana and Japanese import Kodai Senga to bolster the rotation even more. Reliever and former closer David Robertson was signed to deepen the bullpen (and possibly close now that Diaz is out for the year). Catcher Omar Narvaez was signed to be an offensive-minded catcher. They also found themselves in the middle of the Carlos Correa saga as they jumped in and agreed to a deal with the superstar shortstop after the Giants questioned his medicals. Then when the Mets questioned his medicals, both sides backed out of the deal, and he ended up back in Minnesota. The only real significant subtractions were starters Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker, but they were more than adequately replaced.
Most Important Hitter
Brandon Nimmo
Brandon Nimmo had a career year in 2022, which just happened to be his contract year. He cashed in to stay with the Mets, signing an 8 year $162 million deal. However, it was only the second time in Nimmo's seven year career he has played in more than 100 games. The production has always been decent when he is on the field. The problem is he has to be on the field. Was 2022 starting a new trend of health, or an anomaly in a career riddled with injuries? The Mets have a potent middle of the order with the likes of Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, but they are counting on Nimmo to be on base for them to drive in.
Most Important Pitcher
Kodai Senga
The Mets have a lot of money invested in their starting rotation. The amount of money they are paying the comination of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander more than 9 teams' entire rosters. However, most of the money invested in the rotation was spent on established older pitchers. The one step they took to solidify part of their rotation passed this year and next was signing Kodai Senga. The 30 year old Japanese star signed a 5 year $75 million deal with the Mets. These Japanese players are definitely hit or miss. Senga has some serious talent. The question is ... will he be the next Masahiro Tanaka or the next Yusei Kikuchi? If he is closer to Tanaka, then the Mets have an ace that will be around long after Scherzer and Verlander retire.
Prospect to Watch
Francisco Alvarez
On top of spending all this money, the Mets also boast a top ten caliber farm system, highlighted by one of the best prospects in all of baseball, 21 year old catcher Francisco Alvarez. The reason the Mets signed a short term stop gap at catcher this offseason was to leave room for Alvarez to break out. This kid showed all through the minors some elite pure power, slugging 24 homers in 2021 and 27 homers in 2022. He got a taste of the big leagues at the end of last season, and although he is starting 2023 back in the minors, he will be brought up soon to be another centerpiece of the heart of the Mets batting order.
2023 Prediction
1st in NL East, lose in NLCS
Somehow, a 101 win team looks on paper to have greatly improved this offseason. They should win the division, but the Braves and Phillies will definitely make it difficult on them. Can they go all the way? Absolutely. I struggle to see a team with this much turnover again coming together in a way to go all the way. There's a reason whenever the moniker of "best team money can buy" rarely produces a championship.
Fearless Prediction
A closer named Diaz will lead the Mets in saves in 2023.
It was heartbreaking to see such a moment of joy turn so fast in one fatal misstep as Edwin Diaz tore up his knee in the middle of a joyous celebration with his WBC teammates. It left the Puerto Rico team dejected and the Mets without a closer for the season. The Mets have announced they will use a closer by committee to start the season, but you know Steve Cohen won't be content with that. A trade will be made for a closer, and one of the most likely candidates is Edwin's brother Alexis Diaz. Currently the closer for the Reds, the younger Diaz was shedding tears on the field watching Edwin be carried off the field. Wouldn't it be poetic if the Mets used some of their farm system depth to bring him in to fill in for his brother? The Reds are always willing right now to get rid of established stars for prospect potential. This seems like too good of a story for the Mets to pass up.
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