Mets Baseball Is Back

Baseball is back. Pitchers & Catchers' First Workout was 2/14. Tomorrow, the first full-squad workout takes place. And, we have Spring Training games next weekend. The theme for 2024 is "Don't worry, we didn't expect much anyhow, right?"

The usual naysayers are talking about things being worse than last year. It's pretty hard to see that. It isn't that hard meeting or surpassing a 75-win season. How is the team worse? Their star closer being back alone should help them win some games. Scherzer (who is hurt again) was never his old self in 2023. Verlander only came back (and he's hurting now) mid-season. 

The usual spin doctors have a point. The rotation is decent. There are multiple #5 options. There should be some more (including prospects) available later in the season. I think the team has a reasonable 1-3-4-5. 

Yes, there does not seem to be a #2 as such, Mr. Q is more of a 3/4 type. He did play like a #2 at times last season. But, hoping one pitcher (it doesn't have to be the same one) stepping up enough to fill the gap seems not too hopeful. Diaz will help shorten the game. The team picked up a few good and/or promising bullpen arms.  The pen is reasonable. 

The line-up is largely the same. Marte's season will help decide as will the performances of various young players. Harrison Bader should do well in the field in centerfield. A key will be how the DH will play. They didn't sign one of the older vets for that role but Vientos and company have potential.  

The team should be interesting with prospects, old favorites, and new players to watch.  I think we can hope for .500 and dream for more. Last season, too much reliance was put on two overpriced old stud or "stud" starters. The team was right to cut bait and get some prospects. They went with short-term blue-collar type starters. If they do well, they can add at the deadline (if not go crazy). They are building for the future with a young head of baseball operations and an owner still only a few years in. 

In the past two years, there were times when I wanted them to do more. The deadline in 2022 was dubious. Keeping a non-performing DH for 2023 was annoying. If you have the position (and I still rather not), you need a good bat for it.  But, hoping everything went the right way after a bad first half (and a lackluster July) last deadline? Not the best approach.  

So, the deadline (though I hoped they got rid of even more) move to collect prospects and cut bait was fine. They tried to get a stud Japanese pitcher, but the Dodgers went crazy. More than one potential ace (or #2) was not signed by other teams either. I don't think anyone was really left on the table. The DH options were not must-haves for sure.  

The pick-ups were not "sexy" but overall were helpful. They even got a potential upside Japanese reliever. I don't think it unreasonable to hope they sneak in with a Wild Card. But, it won't be horrible if they do not. It's somewhat nice to be able to not sweat or be overly disappointed.  It also is not a "punt of a season."  It is a building year. 

More than once, a team played better than expected and got to the playoffs (or beyond) sooner than expected. The Mets did themselves in 2015. Jerry Blevins noted in a podcast that if everything goes right, he can see this team winning over 90 games. That seems a tad much, but hey, why not in the 80s? Severino, for instance, can bounce back. 

Let's play ball! 

ETA: Of course, now we hear Senga will be out for a significant period.