The Mets might’ve been 2017’s biggest disappointment. They were expected to compete with Washington for the NL East crown after making the playoffs the year before, but that was not the case as they were decimated by injuries and stumbled to 70-92.
Terry Collins resigned after the season and was replaced by Mickey Callaway. Callaway served as Cleveland’s pitching coach since 2013 and did wonders with the Indians pitching staff. The hire makes sense given the Mets’ need to get Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zach Wheeler back on track.
The Mets inked the perennially-underrated Todd Frazier to 2-year deal worth $17 million on Monday. That’s a steal. They could also add to their rotation if the price is right. Here’s a look at the team as currently constructed and healthy:
Lineup
Amed Rosario (SS), Asdrubal Cabrera (2B), Michael Conforto (CF), Yoenis Cespedes (LF), Jay Bruce (RF), Todd Frazier (3B), Adrian Gonzalez/Dominic Smith (1B), Travis dArnaud (C)
2017 ranks: 18th in Runs, 11th in wRC+, 11th in WAR
Jay Bruce will spend the next three seasons in Queens after inking a deal worth $39 million. That seemed like a fair deal for both sides. Michael Conforto is recovering from shoulder surgery and may not be back by Opening Day, but you can bet his impact will be felt once he returns. He posted a 146 wRC+ in 2017. Yoenis Cespedes is always productive when in the lineup but has injury issues, too. He played in 81 games last year and is 32 years old.
The club signed former Braves great Adrian Gonzalez for some reason; they would be wise to let Dominic Smith play there instead. Amed Rosario has some upside despite a poor debut last summer. They brought back Jose Reyes to solidify the infield depth. Travis dArnaud and Kevin Plawecki form a solid platoon behind the plate.
There’s plenty to like here (especially when Conforto comes back) and if the non-outfielders carry some of the weight then this could be a sneaky-good lineup.
Rotation and bullpen
Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler; Jeurys Familia figures to close to begin the year.
2017 ranks: 28th in ERA (5.01), 20th in FIP (4.59 FIP), 21st in WAR
Remember when the Mets, headlined by a handful of young flamethrowers, were in the World Series? That was two and a half years ago.
Captain Obvious: the Mets need to get their rotation back on track. Injuries have really taken their toll.
Syndergaard and deGrom are (arguably) the best 1-2 punch in baseball when their health cooperates. Matz has elbow issues but has proven an effective No. 3 when healthy. Harvey is probably a lost cause at this point but they’ll go into the year hoping for a career resurgence. Wheeler will battle Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman for the 5th spot. All three could see time in the rotation at some point.
The bullpen, which was not good in 2017, lost underrated closer Addison Reed to Minnesota via free agency. Adding a veteran or two before the season starts would probably be wise if they’re serious about contending.
Final thoughts: There’s quite a bit of talent on this roster, but they have to stay healthy. That’s easier said than done given the concerns to a handful of key players. They need 500 innings out of Syndergaard, deGrom and Matz. A division title isn't likely given how good the Nationals are — not to mention the Wild Card race will be ridiculously competitive between Arizona, Chicago, Colorado, Milwaukee, San Francisco, St. Louis and others — but they could win 85 games or so if they can avoid the trainer’s table with their key players.
Projected finish: 2nd place in NL East
Lineup projections via Rotochamp.