Mets Score
After a long offseason of waiting, the 2018 MLB season finally has begun. For Mets Score fans, this means it’s time to start thinking about who the team is going to pick up off the waiver wire and throw into the starting rotation. While there are a few players you can count on for sure, there are plenty of other uncertainties that leave us wondering who will be making an appearance in Flushing next year. In this blog post, we will take a look at all 30 teams and predict which player will end up in Flushing next season. Let’s get started!
This year, the New York Mets are hoping to take the next step and contend for a playoff spot. They have made some big acquisitions in the offseason, most notably of superstar outfielder Manny Machado. But even with all this talent, can the Mets make a run at the postseason? In this blog post, we provide our 2018 MLB season preview and predictions, including who we think will make the playoffs and who will be playing in October.
Mets Roster
The New York Mets have had a difficult time in recent years, but that doesn’t mean they can’t compete in the MLB. The team has some key players who are capable of putting up good numbers and helping them to contend for a playoff spot this year.
Their lineup is headlined by reigning MVP Jacob deGrom, as well as top hitters Eric Hosmer, Yoenis Cespedes, and Michael Conforto. These four players combined for over 2,000 hits last season, showing that they can put up plenty of runs when needed. They also have some intriguing young talent on their roster such as Asdrubal Cabrera and Brandon Nimmo.
However, the Mets will likely need lots of help to make it deep into the playoffs this year. They have an aging pitching staff that could use some reinforcements down the stretch, and their bullpen was shaky at best last year. If these issues can be fixed then the Mets could be a tough out in 2018.
Mets Starting Pitcher
The New York Mets are coming into 2017 with a lot of questions. Who will start at pitcher? Can the young hitters develop into consistent contributors? These are all questions that need to be answered for the team to have any chance of making a playoff run.
In 2016, the Mets starting rotation was one of the biggest reasons why they were able to make it as far as they did. They had Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard leading their way. However, all three pitchers went down with injuries in the same season. Now, it’s up to someone else to step up and fill those shoes.
There are several candidates who could potentially take on this role for the Mets. The first is Robert Gsellman. Gsellman was solid in 2016 after being called up from Triple-A earlier in the year. He finished with a 3.65 ERA in 72 innings pitched. He has proven himself as a quality pitcher and should continue to improve as he gets more experience in the big leagues.
Another potential option is Bartolo Colon. Colon is coming off his best season ever where he finished with an impressive 18-8 record and 2.90 ERA in 266 innings pitched. He also has experience playing on playoff teams, so he knows what it takes to win games in October.”
Mets Bullpen
The Mets bullpen has been one of the most inconsistent parts of their team over the past few seasons. Last season, they finished with a Major League-worst 3.86 ERA. Injuries have been a big part of this problem, as their relief pitchers have combined to miss 112 games in the past two seasons. The Mets are hoping that they can get this unit back on track this season by adding some new players to the mix.
One of the new players that the Mets are hoping will help them improve their bullpen is reliever Jeurys Familia. Familia signed a three-year extension with the Mets earlier this offseason and he should be a huge contributor for them this season. He had an excellent year for the New York Yankees last season and he should be able to bring that level of play to Queens. His presence in the bullpen will allow other teams to focus more on hitting against other members of the Mets’ offense.
The Mets also brought in Fernando Rodney and Bruce Bochy as free agents this offseason. Rodney was with the Seattle Mariners last season and he had an excellent campaign, posting a 2.40 ERA in 47 appearances. Bochy was with San Francisco Giants last season and he posted a 2.92 ERA in 71 appearances while leading his team to the playoffs. These additions give the Mets some experienced arms that they can turn to when things start going wrong in their bullpen late in games.
Overall, it looks like there are some definite improvements that the Mets are hoping to make in their bullpen this season. Adding Jeurys Familia and Fernando Rodney will definitely help them solidify their bullpen as one of the best in the league, while adding Bruce Bochy should help them keep games close when things start going wrong.
Mets Bench
The Mets Bench is one of the most potent offensive units in baseball. This season they will look to continue their success, starting on Opening Day against the Miami Marlins.
Injuries have been a problem for the Mets this season, but they should still be able to score plenty of runs. With Michael Conforto leading the way, the Mets bench is loaded with power hitters. Second baseman Dilson Herrera and first baseman Lucas Duda are both good hitters too, so don’t be surprised if they contribute a lot this year.
Pitchers will have their work cut out for them as well. The Mets bullpen has been one of the best in baseball so far this year, and that shouldn’t change much come playoff time.
Mets Offense
The New York Mets offense is one of the most potent in all of baseball. Led by All-Stars Jacob deGrom and Jay Bruce, the Mets offense will be a big threat come Opening Day.
In 2017, the Mets ranked second in the National League in runs scored (749), trailing only the Atlanta Braves. The team’s potent offense was spearheaded by deGrom and Bruce, who led the way with 137 combined runs scored.
New York also features another dangerous offensive player in first baseman David Wright, who finished second on the team with 92 runs batted in. Wright provides a good balance at the plate with his power and batting average (.306).
Besides Wright, other members of the Mets’ lineup that can provide some valuable production include second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera (.309) and third baseman Todd Frazier (.286). These players are key contributors for an offense that should be among the best in MLB this season.
Mets Defense
The Mets were not happy with the performance of their defense in 2017. However, they made some significant improvements in this area this season. New York led the majors in defensive runs saved (DRS) at 66 and finished second in Baseball Prospectus’ “Defensive Runs Saved +” statistic, which takes into account both DRS and Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR). These metrics indicate that the Mets were very good defensively this season.
Part of the reason for the improvement may have been due to new defensive coordinator Pete Mackanin. Mackanin was previously the Phillies’ hitting coach and had a reputation as one of the best defensive coaches in baseball. He was hired by Mets general manager Sandy Alderson in November of 2017 and quickly made his mark on the team’s defense.
One of Mackanin’s most important tasks was to get young players like Amed Rosario adjusting to playing defense at a high level. Rosario is one of the brightest young stars in baseball and he had been known primarily as a hitter before joining the Mets this season. However, under Mackanin’s tutelage, Rosario has become an excellent defender at shortstop.
Another key contributor to the Mets’ improved defense this season has been Jacob deGrom. DeGrom is one of the best pitchers in baseball and he relies heavily on his defense to help him succeed. This year, deGrom led all starting pitchers with 129 DRS and he also finished second in UZR (5.5). deGrom has always been a good defender, but this season he has truly become one of the best in baseball.
Overall, the Mets defense was very good this season and they should continue to improve as they move forward.
Conclusion
After a down year in 2017, the Mets looked to rebound this season. However, injuries have forced them to use a majority of their young players, and they are currently mired in fifth place in the National League East. While there is still plenty of time for them to make moves up the standings, it will be difficult with so many young players fighting for playing time. Watch out for the Mets as they look to improve in 2018!