Tony Plate Mets Possible Choice as 2020 NL Division Winner

                                                                     

                                                          

In my opinion, the New York Mets will have an excellent chance to win the National League Eastern Division in 2020. There starting rotation is one of the best in the league and is the strength of the team, which just added depth with the signings of free agent pitchers Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha.

They will have a vastly improved bullpen with the addition of Dellin Betances who signed a one-year guaranteed deal of $10.5 million. He has been one of the best setup pitchers in baseball in recent years. 

The contract was worth the gamble, even though he encountered injuries last year. I feel he can be a potential difference-maker, which is what the Mets need to compete with the other teams in the division.

The other week I said “I was surprised the Mets didn’t show an interest in former New York Yankee Dellin Betances who would still be worth the risk even though he was injured in 2019,” then hours afterwards the Mets signed him. 

I think Edwin Diaz can bounce back close to his 2018 form, because he is determined to work very hard this off-season and in spring training to prove his doubters wrong.

Since teams are calling the Mets to acquire Yoenis Cespedes I’m bewildered as to why the Mets are not  immediately trying to work out a trade and attach a prospect to a deal in exchange for a team taking Cespedes salary off of their hands.

He is coming off a serious injury and there is no guarantee that he will return in 2020.  Also, it is surprising that the Mets have not been able to trade away Jed Lowrie’s contract to shed some salary.

The National League East has a chance to become one of the best divisions in baseball in 2020. 

The World Champion Washington Nationals re-signed Stephen Strasburg and Howie Kendrick. 

The defending National League Eastern Division Champion Atlanta Braves signed Cole Hamels and Will Smith to free agent contracts. 

As all New York sports fans know by now the Philadelphia Phillies signed Zack Wheeler and Didi Gregorius.

Since all four teams improved themselves, the bottom line is that the division will be up for grabs. The Mets are still talking to the Pittsburgh Pirates about a trade for Starling Marte. 

Both the Nationals and Braves are still looking for a third baseman, and the Phillies are probably looking to add another starting pitcher. 

All four teams are in win now mode, especially the Nationals who are looking to repeat, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more transactions such as a blockbuster type of trade to come before spring training.