2017 Pre-Season Profile: New York Mets

#7

The New York Mets have carried their powerful young starting rotation to the playoffs the last two seasons, almost winning it all in 2015.  Will 2017 bring enough offense to balance their pitching to make another deep run?

My 2016 Predictions

1st in NL East, lose in NLCS

One of the Mets' five aces will go down with Tommy John surgery in 2016.

2016 Results

87-75, 2nd in NL East, WILD CARD, lost in Wild Card Game

My predictions are a lot more accurate than they appear at first glance.  I had their 2016 playoff run coming to an end at the hands of the Giants.  The only difference is they lost to the Giants in the Wild Card Game instead of the NLCS.  Regardless, it was still a very successful follow-up season for a young team after a World Series run the year before.  As for my Fearless Prediction, fortunately none of their great young starting pitchers went down with Tommy John.  With that said, Noah Syndergaard was the only one that pitched a full season.  Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Steven Matz dealt with different injuries throughout the season, and Zack Wheeler waited till 2017 to make his comeback from Tommy John.

Additions / Subtractions

The Mets are entering 2017 with almost the exact same roster they ended 2016 with.  In fact, the only real change from the start of 2016 is the mid-season deal they made for Jay Bruce.  The other difference is letting veteran Bartolo Colon leave so the youngsters can have the rotation to themselves.

Most Important Hitter

Jay Bruce

The Mets brought Jay Bruce over last season to help provide some pop with Yoenis Cespedes in the middle of the order.  Instead, Bruce had a terrible run over the last few months, hitting just .219 with 8 home runs and 19 RBI's in 50 games.  The Mets considered trading Bruce again in the offseason, but they instead are banking on Bruce to return to his All Star level he showed with the Reds.  He could be the key to waking up a mediocre offense.

Most Important Pitcher

Noah Syndergaard

Every year, the Mets seem to have a different pitcher emerge as the best pitcher of the staff.  In 2013, it was Matt Harvey.  In 2015, it was Jacob deGrom.  In 2016, it was Noah Syndergaard.  Like I said before, Syndergaard was the only one of the Mets' youngsters to pitch a full season.  He is also the only one that hasn't had any injury issues so far in his career.  Before this season starts, one of their aces (Matz) is already on the DL.  They need someone to bring some stability to the staff and string together consecutive strong seasons.  Syndergaard looks to be the one that has the best opportunity to do just that.

Player to Watch

Amed Rosario

The Mets' infield is getting old.  Neil Walker is 31, Asdrubal Cabrera is 31, David Wright is 34 (when he can play), and Jose Reyes is 34 (when Wright doesn't play).  One of these guys is going to lose their job at some point this season to 21 year old prospect Amed Rosario.  Ranked the 5th best prospect in baseball, Rosario is a shortstop by trade, however he could give a spark at any infield position needed this season.  He might be the catalyst for a late season run towards the playoffs.

2017 Prediction

2nd in NL East, WILD CARD, lose in NLDS

The Mets have so much elite pitching, they are near guaranteed to have a spot in the playoffs.  Even if guys get hurt, they have starters waiting for a shot to show that they belong as well.  I see them getting into that Wild Card Game again this season.  This time, they won't get MadBum'ed and make it to the NLDS where their run will come to an end.  They won't get over the hump until the offense get and upgrade.

Fearless Prediction

Noah Syndergaard will win the NL Cy Young.

It is hard to go against Clayton Kershaw for this award, who is one of the greatest pitchers this game has ever seen.  However, Thor has the potential to join him in that category.  This is the year where the Mets' rotation gets that stability it needs as Syndergaard takes his place among the game's elite.

2015 Pre-Season Profile: New York Mets

The New York Mets definitely made significant strides in 2014, even with superstar pitcher Matt Harvey sidelined for the whole season.  With Harvey healthy and ready to go, does 2015 show even more success for the Mets?

Last Season

79-83, 3rd in NL East

There is definitely hope in Mets Nation after their 2014 season.  Despite missing their best player, they came up with their highest win total since their last winning season in 2008.  With young players like Juan Legares and Travis d'Arnaud solidifying their roles alongside mainstays like David Wright and Curtis Granderson, things are starting to look up for the offense.  On the pitching side, youngsters Zack Wheeler and Rookie of the Year winner Jacob deGrom showed that there is more to their pitching staff than just Matt Harvey.

2015 Additions / Subtractions

For the most part, the Mets were almost silent this offseason, which is rare out of a New York team.  The one change in their lineup is the addition of veteran Michael Cuddyer replacing Eric Young, Jr. in leftfield.  The most significant move going into this season is one they did not want to make.  During Spring Training, phenom pitcher Zack Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2015 season.  As disappointing as this is, remembering that there is now a healthy Matt Harvey lessens the sting some.

Most Important Hitter

David Wright

The Mets' most important hitter is also by far their most popular hitter.  David Wright has been the heart and soul of the Mets since he debuted as a 21 year old in 2004.  Now he is entering his age 32 season and is coming off one of his worst seasons of his career.  The Mets are getting younger, but if this current team is going to have any success this year, Wright has to return to his All Star level and produce at the plate.  Was last year an anomaly or a sign of age?

Most Important Pitcher

Jacob deGrom

The weight of the world has been thrown onto the shoulders of ace Matt Harvey, who has yet to even pitch a full season in the big leagues.  That is a lot of pressure for a young pitcher, but unless you are Clayton Kershaw, one starting pitcher doesn't win you a pennant (and Kershaw even had Zack Greinke helping out).  Harvey needs a number two to take some pressure off, and with Wheeler out for the year, Jacob deGrom needs to be that number two.  Although he won the Rookie of the Year in 2014, he was far from great.  He has the potential to get there, and he needs to show that potential if the Mets want to continue to make positive strides in 2015.

Player to Watch

Noah Syndergaard

The recent injury to Zack Wheeler almost ensures this year will feature the emergence of prospect Noah Syndergaard.  Ever since the Mets received him in the RA Dickey trade, fans have been awaiting the Mets' version of the "Big 3" at the top of their rotation with Harvey, Wheeler, and Syndergaard.  Although Wheeler's injury has delayed the debut of the Big 3, it will speed up the debut of Syndergaard, who could easily give the Mets two straight Rookie of the Year awards in their starting rotation.

Prediction

4th in NL East

The Mets are making strides in the right direction.  Their young rotation is poised for greatness for sure, but I don't see the lineup being quite ready to break out.  As good as David Wright has been, his best years are behind him.  The same can be said for Granderson and Cuddyer.  Looking at the rest of their lineup, I don't see any bats that are feared.  If Wright, Cuddyer, and Granderson can all stay healthy for the whole season (unlikely) and all return to their greatness they once showed (unlikely), then the Mets have a chance this year.  Instead, I see another season full of promise but nothing fulfilled.  They need to find some younger impact bats for that lineup before the window of this amazing pitching staff passes.