Tom Brennan - 10 REASONS THE METS SHOULD DO BETTER IN 2019

TEN REASONS TO LOVE THE METS IN 2019

Last season, a lot of bad things happened in Metsville.  

I can easily think of 10 reasons why 2019 should be better.


1. CATCHERS THAT CAN HIT:

Last year, much to my surprise, the Mets' catchers hit 19 homers and drove in 76 runs, despite hitting a miserable .202.  This year, the Mets have last year's MLB-best hitting catcher in Wilson Ramos, and presumably TDA as back up.  I think the catchers could hit 75 points higher this year. And that is 75 points BETTER!

2. SUBS THAT CAN HIT:

Last year, the subs below, hit an incomprehensibly low .198 and had the following combined stat line:

1,098 AB, 121 R, 218 H, 52 D, 6 T, 22 HR, 103 RBI, 108 BB, 309 K, .198. 

Those 1,098 at bats represented a staggering 20% of the team's 5,468 ABs in 2018.

J. Bautista: 245 AB, 37 R, 50 H, 13 D, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 41 BB, 75 K, .204

J. Reyes: 228 AB, 30 R, 43 H, 12 D, 3 T, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 22 BB, 39 K, .189

A. Jackson: 198 AB. 17 R, 49 H, 9 D, 1 T, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 12 BB, 74 K, .247

D. Smith: 143 AB, 14 R, 32 H, 11 D, 1 T, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB, 47 K, .224 

T. Nido: 84 AB, 10 R, 14 H, 3 D, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 4 BB, 27 K, .167

L. Guillorme:  67 AB, 4 R, 2 D, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 7 BB, 3 K, .208

J. Lobaton:  49 AB, 3 R, 7 H, 2 D, 1 T, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 7 BB, 15 K, .143

J. Reinheimer: 30 AB, 4 R, 5 H, 0 D, 0 T, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 5 BB, 9 K, .167

P. Evans: 21 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 0 D, 0 T, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 8 K, .143

M. Dekker: 18 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 D, 0 T, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 9 K, .056

T. Kelly: 11 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 0 D, 0 T, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K, .091

K. Kaczmarski: 4 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 D, 0 T, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, .000

It is hard to imagine Mets' subs hitting below .230 this year - the hitters in that category this year just look to be much better.

3. BACK END & CALLED UP PITCHERS THAT CAN PITCH:

The Mets used an astonishing 30 pitchers last year, and the bottom 18 of those had ERAs over 5.00.  As I recall, without recalculating it, those EIGHTEEN averaged allowing a ghastly 7 runs per 9 innings and combined to go 19-37.  

That, plus injuries in 2018 to Vargas, Thor, and Familia, the shakiness of Matt Harvey while with the Mets, Zach  Wheeler pitching lousy for a half season before becoming brilliant in the 2nd half, and winless Paul Sewald and Tyler Bashlor (the two combined to go 0-10) were key reasons why the Mets won just 77 games last year.

This year, starters Jake, Thor, and Zach look extremely sharp, Steve Matz had a strong last spring outing, and Vargas has pitched well enough.  

In the 2019 pen, the Mets have the expectations of a lethal Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia, and several other solid arms.  

I thus highly doubt this team gets anywhere near 30 pitchers again in 2019.  Overall pitching should far exceed last year's high 4.07 ERA despite Jake's 2018 brilliance.  

The "worse-than-1962" back end of the 2018 staff will not repeat itself this year.  I think therefore that the team's ERA could drop a half run per game in 2019.  That sort of improvement wins games.

4. EDWIN DIAZ: BEST RELIEVER IN BASEBALL IN 2018

Now he is a Met and in his prime. Slow spring through Saturday, but Seaver had those slow springs, too.


5. JEFF MCNEIL FOR A FULL SEASON THIS TIME

Jeff McNeil hit .330 in 60+ games for the Mets last season.  Many expect regression this season - who wouldn't?  But he has picked up right where he left off this spring.  I expect big things from Mr. McNeil.  We all should.

6. 1B STUNK IN 2018 - NOW WE HAVE POUNDING PETE

Last season's cadre of first basemen left quite a bit to be desired. Wilmer Flores hit OK, but waning Adrian Gonzalez and last season's version of Dominic Smith The naysayers keep expecting Pete Alonso to show flaws - he has been almost flawless all spring.  Walt Clyde Frazier might muse that Pete has been "pounding and astounding."  

I think he has a big season coming.  

If he hits a wall - he'll go right thru it. 

If Dominic Smith sticks around, I have little doubt he out-performs 2018.  First base should, all considered, be a major upgrade.



7. AMED ROSARIO SHOULD STEP UP

Amed Rosario sputtered in the first half of 2018, got better in the second half, and has had a terrific spring.  I expect an upgrade in offense, defense, and steals from Amed. It is his time.  If (heaven forbid) he gets hurt around mid-season, Andres Gimenez should be primed to step in.



8. MICHAEL CONFORTO: HEALED, PUNISHING BASEBALLS

Michael Conforto struggled returning from his shoulder injury in the first half of 2018, got better in the 2nd half.  He is killing it this spring.  It is his time, IMO.  I don't see regression in Brandon Nimmo, either.



9. ROBBIE CANO CAN FLAT-OUT HIT, AND SO CAN JED LOWRIE

Robinson Cano is a major star, and growing age has not slowed him, with an awesome spring.  He should be a clear upgrade at 2B over what happened there pre-Jeff McNeil in 2018.

Jed Lowrie's injury has been disappointing, but he drove in 99 runs last season - when he is healthy, he should be a real asset. 



10. BROXTON (AND CESPEDES?) SHOULD ENHANCE THE SOLID OUTFIELD

Keon Broxton has fanned a lot in his career, true but he has hit lefties reasonably well.  He walks a good amount, too, so his OBP has been decent for a fast player.  He has great speed and defensive skills.  

And I still think La Potencia Cespedes will be back by around August 1 - I read he is moving around well in camp, so why not - and, of course, he won't want to miss the 2019 post season party - would we, if we were in his modified orthotic shoes??  "No way - count me in!"


That's 10 big reasons - but let me add Callaway will be a year more experienced, which should help, and it's Brodie time.  

I expect great things in 2019.    I read those ten things above, and it tells me the Mets should do a LOT BETTER.