It is April 1, 2017. It seems hard to believe but just two and a half years ago, the New York Mets fan base was wallowing in the disappointment of another boring off-season and the prospect of another lackluster regular season.
Fast forward to the spring of 2017 and the outlook is much more exciting. This year’s Mets team is coming off their first postseason appearance since 2006. Last year the Mets won 91 games and made the playoffs. After defeating the Chicago Cubs 3-2 in a thrilling wild card match-up, the Amazins fell in the Division Series to the NL Central champions, the Pittsburgh Pirates, in 6 games. The Bucs went on to beat Washington and win the pennant before losing the World Series to Terry Francona‘s Cleveland Indians.
Nevertheless, the Mets fans are ready to build on last year’s success. The team returns almost their entire roster from the year before. A blockbuster trade in June of ’16 saw the Mets acquire shortstop Addison Russell and right fielder Albert Almora from the Cubs in exchange for 2015 rookie of the year finalist Kevin Plawecki and starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard.
Travis d’Arnaud has emerged as one of the best hitting catchers in the Senior Circuit and leads the Mets’ offense. David Wright has enjoyed two bounce back seasons after his disastrous 2014 and can be counted on for his usual 20-22 home runs and OPS around .800. Wilmer Flores has settled in nicely at second base following 2015’s midseason trade of Daniel Murphy.
Curtis Granderson enters the final year of his contract in left field, with three-time Gold Glove winner Juan Lagares in center and Almora in right. Brandon Nimmo is expected to see plenty of time in left field replacing Granderson, just as he did in 2016. Lucas Duda remains the primary first baseman, with Michael Conforto and d’Arnaud seeing the occasional start at first.
The projected Opening Day lineup looks like this:
1. Juan Lagares, CF
2. Wilmer Flores, 2B
3. Travis d’Arnaud, C
4. Lucas Duda, 1B
5. David Wright, 3B
6. Albert Almora, RF
7. Addison Russell, SS
8. Curtis Granderson, LF
On the mound, the Mets have enjoyed remarkable consistency over the past several seasons. Ace Matt Harvey is flanked by front line starters Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler. Lefty Steven Matz and veteran free agent addition Chad Billingsley round out the back end of the starting rotation. On the farm, Casey Meisner and Marcos Molina await for openings as they begin the season at the Mets new Triple-A home in Syracuse.
The bullpen remains almost entirely homegrown. Closer Jeurys Familia looks to improve upon last year’s 38 save performance. He is joined by set up men Jack Leathersich, Jenrry Mejia and Akeel Morris. Sean Gilmartin, Jeff Walters and veteran journeyman Huston Street round out the bullpen.
Experts project this year’s Mets team as capable of snatching the division title away from the firm grasp of the Washington Nationals. Manager Pedro Lopez has promised nothing other than hustle and a focus on the fundamentals.
Lets Go Mets!
