I'll give you 21 reasons the Mets will win big in 2021.
1. We got Jake - do I need to go further on this one? I hope not.
2. Jeff McNeil will win the batting title and be in MVP consideration.
3. Pete Alonso is pissed, and will hit 50 again. Will be in MVP consideration.
4. Francisco Lindor will pick up his usual 80 extra base hits, and a Gold Glove. Will be in MVP consideration.
5. A catcher named McCann who can hit and also throw runners out.
6. Brandon Nimmo will win the On Base % title. If he pushes it over .500, we can track his off-base % instead.
7. Michael Conforto is primed for a total MC Hammer year.
8. Dominic Smith will prove he is for real to those who are still doubters with a no-doubt-about-it. Will be in MVP consideration.
9. JD Davis, Kevin Pillar, Jonathan Villar, Albert Almora Jr., and Luis Guillorme will combine to do mighty well.
10. Mets defense will be far better than in 2020.
11. Cookie Carrasco will reignite fan interest in cookies in Queens with some great pitching.
12. Marcus Stroman is primed for a big year, with his great new split change.
13. Thor will return from exile with a real vengeance.
14. Taijuan Walker replaces Steve Matz and will provide a truly professional year as a starter.
15. David Peterson will prove 2020 was no fluke and will be BETTER.
16. Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto will give them necessary starter depth.
17. Edwin Diaz will rediscover 2018.
18. Trevor May will be more than OK, as will Seth Lugo when he returns.
19. The rest of the pen will be collectively adequate.
20. The Braves, Nationals, and Phillies are out there somewhere quaking in their boots, because they know about the 19 reasons above, and the 21st below..
21. We've got Steve Cohen's checkbook, and he's got a fan's strong desire to actually win a World Series.
OK, those are my 21 reasons the Mets will do well, no, make that dominate, in 2021.
Which 21 reasons I left out will be up to you to point out.
TO CLOSE OUT: MAZEIKA THE SPRING MASHER:
Everyone seems to cede the back up catching duties to Tomas Nido, but don't overlook The Man Named Mazeika.
Pat Mazeika in spring training 2020 went 5 for 12 with 4 extra base hits, 2 walks, and just 2 Ks.
Trying to show he's got the goods, Mazeika so far this spring is 1 for 5 (a double), a walk, a K, a sac fly, and 3 RBIs.
So Mazeika is getting on base, and his 6 for 17 over 2 springs includes 5 extra baggers. Just 3 Ks in over 20 PAs.
The kind of results I'd like my back up catcher to produce.
Tomas Nido, the supposed heir apparent, in 2020 and 2021 spring training? Just 4 for 24, 1 walk, 1 double, 9 Ks.
I guess what that all tells me is don't be so quick to cede the job to Mr. Nido, even if he is out of options. One of these fellas is putting up MLB-quality numbers; the other is not. I prefer guys who put up MLB-quality numbers when playing in the MLB, but that's just one of my quirks.
8 comments:
Tom,
Love the power of positive thinking. I hope all your predictions come true.
I see a lot of danger signs so far this spring. The Mets continue to drop the ball and that's not just the defense.
I really like Mazeika as well. If they didn't already have about 3-4 first basemen already on the team and a surplus of lefty bats, I'd campaign strong for him to be the third string catcher/backup 1B. But when you have to carry 13 pitchers, not much room for other players. Wait, why do we have to carry 13 pitchers again?
John, maybe they don't need 13 pitchers right away. I think they have, off the top of my head, 5 days off in April. 12 might do it.
And since roster size will still be 26. Which I love, rather than 25.
The off days in April are a great point Tom. Maybe Mazeika can make it.
Or Mawell
Mack, you might be right - but for some darned reason, Maxwell hit something like a buck ten in winter ball, and David Rodriguez hit (in a different league) about .380.
If Maxwell is an above average defensive catcher, he could be part of a 3 man rotation. I'm still surprised they let Ali Sanchez go, for that reason. SOmehow, he threw out almost 50%.
Hey if we hit on 15 of those were WS bound!
Interesting battle of Nido and Mazeika continues. Nido with a single, double and HR this Friday, pushing him up to .267, and Mazeika single and a walk in two times up. Pat is now a very impressive 9 for 23 with 4 walks, a sac fly, and just 4 Ks plus 4 XBH the last two springs.
I'd really like to carry both of them on the 26 man.
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