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| Photo Credit-Howard Simmons (NY Daily News)/Filter-NYMWS |
Six months later than we hoped they would, the 2015 National League Champions are finally heading out to Kansas City. In less than a week the New York Mets are scheduled to kickoff the 2016 baseball season with a one-night stand against the team that defeated them to capture the 2015 World Series.
The 2016 Mets' season opening opponent isn't the only common factor from the 2015 season finale. Opening day will also be a "Harvey Day", as one half of the Mets' co-aces, Matt Harvey, takes the bump. On that balmy November night in Flushing, all eyes were focused on the pitcher's mound, and that focus will continue throughout the 2016 season, as the Mets will once again go as far as their bad-ass pitching staff carries them.
With the Dark Knight, Jacob deGrom, Mr. 60'6", Steven 'LI' Matz and Big Sexy (shout out to KFC, buy the shirt) filling out the starting rotation, the hype is real for the Mets' 2016 staff. The biggest problem with the Mets' staff right now is deciding who the ace is. Is it Harvey? Or is it deGrom? #Goodpitchingstaffproblems. I'm all good calling them co-aces, but I feel like shit is about to get really real this season when we have to start saying the Mets have tri-aces. The 23-year-old Noah Syndergaard could have the best stuff of the bunch, and between his 'come get some' attitude, and dope social media game, he's quickly forcing our hands to include him in the whole ace convo hoopla.
After the tri-aces, Ward Melville's favorite son, lefty Steven Matz isn't about to give lineups a break on day 4. Stop the whole "Matz looks like junk in spring training chatter". Stevie M is undefeated for his career in the regular season (aka when it counts), and his growth during the 2016 season could be one of the most exciting storylines to watch.
The man taking up the rear of the staff to start the season is no other than fan favorite Bartolo Colon. Tolo had offers for more money to go elsewhere but he knew where he was loved. No disrespect to his size, but there's no way to measure what the 42-year-old Colon brings to the squad. Both his production on the field, and his leadership in the clubhouse, are imperative to this Mets team's success.
If the Mets have a breakdown in the opening day staff, fingers are crossed that it won't be until the summertime. Zack Wheeler is expected to be ready to return from Tommy John surgery in July (really August/September because Mets' medical staff) and Z-Dubs is certainly a nice card for Terry and Co. to have in their deck.
When we talk pitching the hope of any Met fan at the moment has to be that it goes from the above listed studs straight to Jeurys. The closer in the pen is the only sort of sure thing the Metsies have back there. Sure he sketched out a little in the Fall classic, but whose closer hasn't? If we have a hiccup getting to Familia, one of the Mets' main question marks will appear. The hope is that Addison Reed is the setup man that is needed, but that's far from a safe bet. Left hander Antonio Bastardo is positive addition, but he's no Aroldis Chapman.
Hide your curbs, and hide your Dee Gordon liners, because it looks like Jerry Blevins is cracking the opening day roster. If the former National can stay healthy, he should be a nice lefty option for TC to turn to out of the pen. Hansel 'ain't nobody got time for that' Robles will be back for his second season in the bigs. I caught up with Hansel recently for a brief interview...
- Fitzy: "Hey Hansel, got any cool stories from the offseason?"
- Hansel: "So I'm rappelling down Mount Vesuvius when suddenly I slip, and I start to fall. Just falling, ahh ahh, I'll never forget the terror. When suddenly I realize 'Holy shit, Hansel, haven't you been smoking peyote for six straight days, and couldn't some of this maybe be in your head?'"
- F: "And?"
- H: "And it was. I was totally fine. I've never even been to Mount Vesuvius."
Sounds like the quick pitcher had a great offseason.
Logan Verrett, Sean Gilmartin, Erik Goeddel, and Jim Henderson are all candidates to round out the pen. Verrett is a nice piece with his ability to make spot starts and eat some innings. Jim Henderson would be an interesting arm to have on the roster. Henderson had 28 saves for the Brewers in 2013, but shoulder issues ruffled his 2014 season, and he was held out all year last year to rehab. Pitching coach Dan Warthen has been quoted saying "we're all very happy with what we're seeing right now" in regards to the Canadian Henderson's performance this spring.
All eyes will be on Sandy Alderson if the bullpen struggles this season. If this group needs improving during the season, I'm fully confident he'll make the moves to arm the bullpen with the necessary pieces.
The only two pitching departures I'm paying attention to was odd man out Jon Niese, and trade deadline pickup Tyler Clippard. I loved the idea of Clippard when the deal was made, but unfortunately he wet the bed when it mattered. He isn't/wasn't the answer to the bullpen questions. Jon Niese was a good backend starter when he was here, but I'm all good with his departure because he brought back a return, and he also just seemed like a weird cat to me. Enjoy that defense and wanted feeling you desire Jon!
Speaking of Jon's return, the infield defense got a lot more sure handed in the man the Mets acquired in the Niese trade. Neil Walker is here to replace playoff hero Daniel Murphy. Murphy signed with a new "ball club" this winter and I can't say I was devastated by it. Sure the playoff heroics were some of the best action we've ever had, but in the World Series he botched a few grounders and proved to be exactly what Gary Cohen said he was, a "net negative". I'll pass on that. Give me Neil now, and Dilson in the future.
Fellow newcomer Asdrubal Cabrera will be Walker's primary double play partner this season. The two-time all star was signed to a two year 18.5 million dollar contract this offseason to man the shortstop position. He's no HoJo at the plate, and he's no Rey Ordonez in the field, but he's a better hitter than the recently released Ruben Tejada, and he does field the position better than Wilmer Flores. Cabrera's opening day availability has been a little clouded by injury, but his recent minor league action is providing optimism that he'll be ready to go.
The corner infielders pegged in as opening day starters are familiar faces David Wright and Lucas Duda. The streaky Duda will again be relied upon to deliver some pop in the middle of the lineup. In the field, the hope is that he'll be ready to throw the ball home with better ability this season...if the scenario arises...specifically in November...late in the game...in the World Series. Spinal stenosis survivor David Wright is making his best effort to ensure he's on the field to contribute this season. The hope is that the captain plays 135 games this season, and this Mets' fan is optimistic that those 135 games will be enough for David to contribute in the way this team needs him to.
The coolest man to cry in NY since Mark Messier, Wilmer Flores, is still with the club, and he'll be heavily relied upon to fill an important utility role this season. It looks like Wilmer will see plenty of at bats this season, as he'll be moved all over the field. It's still being sorted out whether Matt Reynolds or Eric Campbell will join Flores on the bench as an infield option this season. Stay tuned on that one.
All the focus behind the dish will be on Travis d'Arnaud's health, and ability to throw out runners. He's a well above-average hitting catcher, and he brings an added value with how he handles the Mets' staff. A true breakout year out of Travis would go a long way in solidifying the Met lineup as one of the most dangerous in the National League. Former first-rounder Kevin Plawecki will hopefully be on the club as a catching option, but there's some question as to if the limited work he could receive would stunt his growth. There was chatter of moving both guys around the field, but it sounds like those plans never materialized.
After it sounded like he was heading elsewhere, Sandy and the Mets were able to bring Yoenis Cespedes back to Flushing on a creative deal. The Cubano Yoenis brings the bat, and a swagger that is unmatched to the ball club. Even through his head scratchers (like the inside the park HR he just allowed), the Mets are a much better team with a player of his ability on the roster.
Yoenis will be joined in the outfield on most days by a combination of Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto, and Juan Lagares. When the opponents have righties on the bump, Terry will be able to put out his best slugging lineup as the veteran Granderson, and the young slugger Conforto both swing good sticks against right-handers. When the Mets find a southpaw hurler on the mound for their opposition, Terry will be looking to work in the gold glover Juan Lagares. The fielding configuration of the outfielders has recently become a hot topic. We all know Juan is the best centerfielder on the club, but if Terry believes keeping #52 in center is the best way to get him comfortable enough so he's not playing soccer in the outfield, then I'm all for Juan playing a corner when it's his turn to start. Alejandro de Aza was signed early in the offseason, but the return of Cespedes will keep him down on the depth chart for now.
With other National League teams reloaded and improved, the Metsies aren't the favorite to accomplish all of last year's achievements. Wager123.com has them listed as follows...
- Regular season wina OVA/UNDA 89.5
- NL East Title -130
- NL Pennant +450 (Cubs 200, Giants 350, Nats 450)
- World Series +800 (Cubs 450, BJs 700, Giants 750)
-Fitzgerald
p.s. Don't forget to give the pod a listen!
p.s. Don't forget to give the pod a listen!
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