Well folks, it feels great to finally be talking about the 2020 Mets actually playing a season.

Now that we know the new rules for this strange year (earlier addressed by MMO’s Marshall Field), the universal DH in particular should prove be a major advantage for the Amazins’.

The DH will lengthen the Mets lineup in more than a few ways, like the ability to have JD Davis play everyday and still keep Yoenis Cespedes in the lineup as well.

Beyond Davis and Cespedes, it will allow for more flexibility with the the always-aging Robinson Cano, who will no longer have to play defense full-time, which should help to get the most out of him offensively.

Wilson Ramos should also see benefits offensively from the DH, by not having to catch everyday to stay in the lineup.

Let’s not forget Dominic Smith, who not only has versatility as a corner outfielder and first-baseman, but has proven to be productive offensively in a part-time role.

The DH should only help provide more at-bats for the young lefty.

Now with all that being said, let’s take a look at what some potential 2020 Mets lineups could look like:

VS. RHP

Option #1:

McNeil 3B
Nimmo CF
Alonso 1B
Conforto RF
Cano 2B
Cespedes DH
Davis LF
Ramos C
Rosario SS

This (or some similar variation in lineup slotting) is what the lineup should look like on Opening Day, and most days when facing a RHP.

This is a particularly talented lineup from top to bottom, and could be one of the top run-producers in the National League.

And when you consider the success both Cespedes (career .501 SLG/.825 OPS/117 HR) and Davis (.305 AVG/.366 OBP/.520 SLG/.886 oPS/14 HR in 2019) have shown against right-handers, there should be plenty of thump coming out of Flushing on most days.

Option #2:

McNeil 2B
Nimmo CF
Alonso 1B
Conforto RF 
Davis 3B
Cano DH
Ramos C
Smith LF
Rosario SS

One issue the Mets will likely come across will be on days when another player not named Cespedes is named the DH.

Because of his (what we can assume) will be defensively limitations after coming off a variety of injuries, the veteran slugger will likely be the odd-man-out of the lineup on days when Cano is asked to only hit.

Although they will miss Cespedes’ pop, Cano saw most of his offensive success in 2019 against right-handers, hitting 11 of his 13 home runs off them with a .799 OPS.

The defensive versatility of both McNeil and Davis will provide tremendous lineup flexibility that will not only help maximize Canos’ offensive ability, but also get Smith’s bat into the starting lineup.

VS. LHP

Option #1:

McNeil 2B
Davis 3B 
Alonso 1B
Ramos DH
Conforto RF
Rosario SS
Smith LF
Nimmo CF
Nido/Rivera C

Facing left-handers should provide the best opportunity for the Mets to slot their veteran-catcher into the DH role.

Although most of Ramos’ power numbers came against right-handers in 2019 (9 of his 14 home runs), he enjoyed much success against lefties.

In a little over 1oo at-bats, the Buffalo hit to a .346 AVG/.423 OBP/.523 SLG/and a .946 OPS, proving to be one of the teams best hitters against left-handers.

Again thanks to defensive flexibility, the Mets would be able to bench Cano (who struggled mightily against LHP last year) for someone like Smith who showed success against them in ’19 (.303 AVG/.361 OBP/.515 SLG/.876 OPS in 33 AB).

Option #2:

McNeil 3B
Davis DH
Alonso 1B
Ramos C
Conforto RF
Cano 2B
Rosario SS
Smith LF
Nimmo CF

Although Cespedes will definitely get some chances against left-handed pitching, the stark difference in his splits are what keep out of these potential lineups.

With Davis slotted as the DH, it provides another way to get Smith’s offensive production in the lineup without having to move McNeil from his primary spot at third base.

No matter the different lineup variations that the Mets might make, there’s no doubt that the addition of the universal DH will take their offense to the next level, making them one of the deepest (and feared) in the National League.