After one of their more eventful offseasons in recent memory, the wait is nearly over. On Thursday, just after 1 PM in Washington, DC, the New York Mets will embark on their 58th season and christen what feels like — to me, at least — a new age in this franchise’s history.
The valley that this organization has been stuck in since the unexpected peaks of 2015 and 2016 has worn this fan base down to its collective core. But with a new regime in the front office, a deliberately assembled, depth-laden roster, and the perfect combination of exuberant youth and grizzled veteran leadership, the light at the end of that long, miserable tunnel is now shining right in this team’s face.
The Mets’ pitching staff has the potential to be historically good this season. With the newly-minted Jacob deGrom leading the way, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler playing their parts as two-thirds of arguably the best top-three in Major League Baseball, and southpaws Steven Matz and Jason Vargas being looked to as stopgaps in the rotation until the big arms circle around again — as long as everyone does their job, of course –, this Mets staff should be the anchor, engine, and sail of this ship.
The team’s lineup — from top to bottom — has the look and feel of a well-balanced, potentially scary one-through-eight. Go ahead, say them out loud and tell me this batting order doesn’t bring even the slightest of smiles to your face: Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, Robinson Cano, Michael Conforto, Wilson Ramos, Pete Alonso, Keon Broxton/Juan Lagares, and Amed Rosario.
Admit it, you smiled. I was grinning just typing them. Nimmo and his on-base exploits, the ageless Cano, the ready-to-erupt Michael Conforto (MVP-caliber campaign coming; write that one on the wall), and Mr. To-Heck-With-Service-Time Pete Alonso can all beat you in a variety of ways. Whether it’s via extra-base hits, hittin’ dingers, or just wreaking havoc on the pitch count of opposing hurlers (looking at you, Nimmo), this group will shine in 2019.
Throw in Rosario and the Manute Bol-sized strides he took last season, Wilson Ramos and his offensive potential, and Squirrel McNeil’s penchant for hitting them where they ain’t, as well as the Mets’ talented, versatile bench in guys like Luis Guillorme, J.D. Davis, Dominic Smith, backup backstop Tomas Nido and his ridiculously impressive defensive skills behind the plate, as well as the impending returns of Jed Lowrie (knee capsule sprain) and Todd Frazier (oblique), and we have a squad in Flushing, folks.
The Mets’ bullpen will prove to be tough and ultra-dependable, in my opinion. Nevermind Edwin Diaz‘ rough spring, he’ll continue to be the electrifying pitcher he has been. Jeurys Familia will play the role of super setup man (I envision something similar to what Dellin Betances has been for the team across town over the past few years), and Justin Wilson, the indomitable Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, and Luis Avilan — who I’m also expecting a very nice season from — should give the fans a reason to rest a bit easier when deGrom, Noah, or Wheels leaves with a lead intact.
Our team looks competitive, our future is looking a bright, and — win or lose — we’re certainly in store for some fun and excitement this year. Bottom line, it’s baseball season, folks. Hope springs eternal. Let’s go, Mets.
