Multiple MLB season previews before the 2020 season saw the New York Mets succeeding. Underperformance is the best word to describe the Mets’ 2020 season. The Mets went into the 2020 season with high hopes. Early season previews and predictions had the Mets performing well and making the playoffs.
However, things did not pan out. COVID threw all teams through a loop. The season got delayed and the season was shortened with rule changes. However, even with these changes, the Mets were still predicted to do well.
With the expanded postseason in the shortened season, it seemed as though the Mets were near locks for a playoff spot, unfortunately for them that was not the case. The Mets finished tied for last place with the Nationals in the NL East with a record of 26-34.
In 2020 the Mets were weakened with injuries and opt-outs. It was announced before the 2020 season that Noah Syndergaard would miss the entire season due to Tommy John surgery. The Mets also lost Marcus Stroman who decided to opt-out of the 2020 season.
The Mets rotation was missing two starters before the first pitch was even thrown. But luckily Jacob deGrom was his same old self and rookie David Peterson stepped up and managed to get an ERA of 3.44 across nine starts.
Dom Smith and Michael Conforto both dominated during the shortened season. Brandon Nimmo, Robinson Cano, Jeff McNeil, Andres Gimenez, Luis Guillorme, and Pete Alonso all had a strong season as well. Although McNeil and Alonso struggled in early 2020, they both did well towards the backend of the season. Edwin Diaz also looked good posting an ERA of 1.75.
2021 Offseason
It has been quite the offseason for the New York Mets. At the beginning of the offseason, the Mets got a brand new owner. New Mets owner Steve Cohen is the richest owner in the MLB and has high hopes for his Mets. He said in an interview that he plans to win a World Series in three to five years. The Mets have a great core to build around.
Over the offseason Mets president of baseball operations Sandy Alderson and general manager, Zack Scott has been quite busy. Going into the offseason the Mets needed to add starting pitching, relief pitching, depth, and an impactful player to the roster.
Early on in the offseason the Mets re-signed Marcus Stroman, signed relief pitcher Trevor May and catcher James McCann. Both players should make the Mets better. The Mets also made a splash when they traded for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco. The Mets traded away shortstop Amed Rosario, former top prospect and 7th place rookie of the year middle infielder Andres Gimenez. Along with prospects Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene.
New York also added lefty reliever Aaron Loup, 1B/OF Jose Martinez, OF Albert Almora Jr, OF Kevin Pillar, and IF Jonathan Villar. The Mets also made trades for SP Joey Lucchesi, OF prospect Khalil Lee, and SP Jordan Yamamoto. The Mets also signed another starter for their rotation, Taijuan Walker joins the squad. Walker when healthy is a fine pitcher to have in the rotation, especially as a backend guy.
This offseason has been a huge success. The Mets added a star pitcher, an impact player, a top ten catcher, a good relief pitcher, a great lefty specialist for the bullpen, and depth. The Mets have made improvements to their roster over the offseason.
Potential Opening Day 26-Man Roster
Starting Pitchers: Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, Taijuan Walker, David Peterson
Relief Pitchers: Edwin Diaz, Robert Gsellman, Aaron Loup, Miguel Castro, Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Joey Lucchesi
Starting Depth Chart: James McCann (C), Pete Alonso (1B), Jeff McNeil (2B), JD Davis (3B), Francisco Lindor (SS), Dominic Smith (LF), Brandon Nimmo VS RHP/Kevin Pillar VS LHP (CF), Michael Conforto (RF)
Bench: Tomas Nido, Jonathan Villar, Kevin Pillar, Luis Guillorme, Jose Martinez
Other Potential Members of the Opening Day Roster: Drew Smith, Sam McWilliams, Jordan Yamamoto, Thomas Szapucki, Albert Almora Jr, Khalil Lee
Injured players who would be on the opening day roster: Noah Syndergaard (SP) and Seth Lugo (RP)
2021 Season Preview: Offense and Pitching
The New York Mets have a top-three offense in the game, in 2020 the team was third in the league in OPS, first in average, second in OBP and fourth in SLG. However, they were only 13th in runs scored. The team can generate base runners, but the team struggled at driving men in. But the talent and ability to get runners on is there.
The Mets also have a top-five rotation in the game. Having the best pitcher in the world does tend to boost the rotation, but with all-star caliber pitcher Carlos Carrasco, former aces Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker, and a sophomore lefty coming off a good rookie year this rotation should do well. Star pitcher Noah Syndergaard will also rejoin the rotation at some point mid-season to make this rotation even more deadly.
2021 Season Preview
My season preview to put it briefly is to have the New York Mets succeed. It is debatable that hopes haven’t been as high for a Mets team as they are now in a long time. There is a whole new atmosphere surrounding this Mets team following the transition of ownership. Some changes worth noting are the openness to signing big free agents or extensions, building up a farm system, and making the experience better for the fans.
Robinson Cano will miss the entirety of the 2021 season due to a PED suspension. Noah Syndergaard will come back mid-season due to an injury. Seth Lugo will also miss the start of the season due to an injury.
The Mets roster on paper is one of the best rosters in years. However, there are question marks. Such as, will Marcus Stroman return to form after missing a year? Is Noah Syndergaard going to come back strong from his injury? Will the lineup live up to the hype? Will the bullpen hold together?
Theoretically, this team should perform and make a playoff spot via the division title or the wild card. However, the Braves will be hard to top for first in the NL East. For Mets fans, the expectation is for this team to make the playoffs and be contenders for the world series.
Also, fans and MLB analysts of other teams have noticed the quality of the Mets roster. Early preseason predictions have the Mets making the playoffs. A few have the Mets as frontrunners for the NL East division title.
A healthy roster with multiple quality players should allow this team to win a lot of games. I believe that the Mets have made the necessary steps to overtake the Braves for the division title.
2021 NL East Division Season Preview
- New York Mets
- Atlanta Braves
- Washington Nationals
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Miami Marlins
