The Mets have made changes both on and off the field as they prepare for the 2018 season. However, their main formula for success will likely rely on the strength of their players staying healthy.

Abbey Mastracco of NJ.com recently talked to rival scouts who believe the Mets still have the pieces to compete and surprise some people this year.

“Their pitching is still their strength when healthy,” he said. “And I think their bullpen will be better with the additions of Anthony Swarzak and AJ Ramos for a full year.”

Scouts around the league reportedly believe that Jacob deGrom is hitting his stride, while Noah Syndergaard could turn things around and bounce back from injury.

“This could actually be a team that surprises some people if everyone stays healthy, which is key,” a rival talent evaluator said. “This team doesn’t look far off from the second Wild Card spot.”

The Mets recently cut Josh Smoker to make space on the 40-man roster for Jose Reyes, but a solution could be moving Steven Matz to the bullpen as a second lefty, one talent evaluator said.

“If they need another lefty, Matz might be an easy transition to the pen,” he said. “They can sign someone to 1 year deal like Jason Vargas or Jaime Garcia to fill up innings.”

Last but not least, some important nuggets from Mastracco’s piece have scouts saying that first base might be an issue with the Mets with not much confidence in Adrian Gonzalez.

One scout suggests moving Jay Bruce to first and having him get extended reps there or inking Alex Avila to man the position.

Additionally, they believe Mike Moustakas would be a better get for third base than Todd Frazier, but the former will be expensive.

At the end of the day, the Mets have the pieces and if everything breaks right, they could be in the hunt.

“I still think that spot will come from the NL West between the Giants, Diamonbacks, or Rockies,” a scout said about the second Wild Card. “However, if those teams slip, the Mets can be in the race in July and look to buy.”

I do believe that if the starting pitching stays healthy and we see some progression from last year, there’s no reason we can’t compete.

While that sounds like a no-brainer, I think that if Mickey Callaway and the new training staff can have a positive impact on players staying healthy, than we have as good of a pitching staff as anyone.

I do believe, however, they need to add at least one more bat, whether it be Frazier or Moustakas or someone else. That would really be a difference maker.

With the free agent market, let’s hope they can snatch up a piece like that to help complement the pitching even further.