After the New York Mets dropped more than $250 million via free agency prior to the lockout, it’s safe to assume many Mets fans had one thought in mind: a return to the playoffs in 2022. When looking at the team’s 2021 performance, it’ll take a significant jump in results to go from a 77-85 club to one that plays postseason baseball.
As everyone knows, the Mets have reached the playoffs nine times since getting established (1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2015, 2016). All these occurrences have been preceded by a record better than .500…except in 1969 and 2015.
Of course, these two occurrences were a little extra special because not only did they both include trips to the World Series, but they ended a streak of losing seasons. New York was beginning to trend up in the win-loss column from 1967-68, but the best record they finished with was 73-89. So, following seven straight losing campaigns, the Mets emphatically broke that streak with a 100-62 record and a World Series title. Not bad at all.
Fast-forwarding to 2015, it was a similar but different situation. New York had finished with a winning record four years in a row from 2005-08. From there, they became a perpetual 70-win club while eventually rebuilding for their next competitive window. That streak of winning baseball was followed by six consecutive years of no more than 79 wins, but no fewer than 70. Then, 2015 came around and New York won the National League pennant after posting a 90-72 record.
Although some of the seasons prior to other playoff appearances weren’t terrific, momentum towards something special was being built. The 2022 version of the Mets won’t have to break a cycle of that many consecutive losing seasons thanks to an 86-76 showing in 2019, but the last couple of years haven’t necessarily been great.
Pressure continues to mount, as well. Steve Cohen said prior to last season that his goal is to have the Mets win a World Series within the next five years. After one season under his belt as owner, that timeline has now shrunk by a year. The entire coaching staff has changed, he’s watched an experienced manager in Buck Showalter take control, and he was played an integral part in signing Max Scherzer to lead the rotation with Jacob deGrom.
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Of course, being in the big leagues comes with inherent pressures, and that’s even more true in a major media market like New York. But at least the Mets are showing they’re serious, right?
With eyes of hopefully starting to compete the following season, Sandy Alderson’s major-league acquisitions in advance of 2015 included signing Michael Cuddyer to a two-year, $21 million deal and John Mayberry Jr. to a one-year, $1.45 deal. Sure, they made crucial mid-year trades that helped propel this club to the Fall Classic, but it’s safe to assume nobody was thinking “The Mets are going to the World Series” after that kind of offseason.
Since the Mets are now spending more than ever before, the hope of seeing the Amazins in October again has certainly increased. What will be crucial for general manager Billy Eppler and the rest of the front office is to finish the job they started earlier in the offseason (once there’s a new CBA in place and they’re able to, of course).
Last week, we saw a report from Andy Martino stating the Mets were likely done making splashy acquisitions prior to Opening Day. Of course, “likely” doesn’t mean “definitely”, but I’m not going to lie, I was a little sad upon reading that. Mostly because hearing that wording during the previous regime meant the Mets were definitely done. I’m still getting used to New York having the sport’s richest owner because there’s always a chance Cohen gives the green light to drop the metaphorical hammer if he wants (you know, the one that has all the cash in it).
Jon Heyman got me excited again simply because he worded his tweet differently, saying the Mets could consider bringing in more significant talent to hopefully put them over the edge. Whether that means trying to wine and dine Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Trevor Story, Clayton Kershaw, or swing a trade isn’t the point. In recent years — during both the offseason and at the July trade deadline — the Mets have made moves but didn’t quite finish the job by completely augmenting the roster in the way it was most needed.
That’ll need to change once the lockout ends. The offense has certainly improved, but the bullpen could use some reinforcements, and the rotation could at least use additional depth so what happened last year — you know, when they essentially ran out of MLB-caliber arms — doesn’t happen again.
We heard Eppler talk last week about how he thinks the Mets are competitive as currently constructed, but won’t close the door on continuing to make additions once he’s allowed to. Based on what we know and have seen from this new era of Mets baseball, I wouldn’t be surprised to see another significant addition or two be made prior to Opening Day (whenever the heck that’s going to be).
Going from below .500 one year to the playoffs the following year isn’t easy. The Mets will need as much help as possible to make this kind of jump for just the third time in franchise history. It’ll soon be time for them to finish the offseason with an exclamation point, and it’s OK to feel reasonably confident that they can make it happen.
