I do this every spring. Tell you my usual dismal predictions on the team we all love. It’s time again so let’s get right into it.
Pitcher Of The Year - Justin Verlander
I think everyone will be very happy Steve signed this guy. And this won’t be the only mention I have about him here.
Closer Of The Year - Edwin Diaz
Duh.
Most wins - Justin Verlander
I have him playing injury free all season and recording wins in the range of 15-20.
Most losses - Justin Verlander
This is based on my prediction that at least three of the current rotation pieces will go down this season with lengthy time lost due to injuries. I believe Verlander will become the 2023 Iron Horse, adding around 9-10 losses along with his 15-20 wins.
MVP - Justin Verlander
As you can see, I have big plans for this guy. He will just edge out Pete Alonso for this title.
Rookie Of The Year - Brett Baty
Baty will take over the starting duties at third base by mid-season, taking over for the aging, injured Eduardo Escobar.
Highest Batting Average - Starling Marte
Marte will have a big bounce back season, hitting over .300.
Most Home Runs - Pete Alonso
There really is no one else on this team that will hit close to 30 home runs. I have Pete in the 45-47 range.
Most Runs Scored - Brandon Nimmo
Anyone that bats first in this lineup will win this.
Most Runs Batted In - Francisco Lindor
He and Pete will go neck and neck on this award, but Lindor will win out in the end. Range: 110-120
Biggest Surprise - Joey Lucchesi
Joey will be called upon to join the banged up rotation mid-season and will notch around seven wins and a below 4.00-ERA.
Biggest Letdown - Adam Ottavino
Otto will fail right out the box and will never produce the kind of season he did in 2023. The good news is Drew Smith will pick up the ball and run with it.
How Many Times Will That Trumpet Guy Show Up At Citi?
Tops six.
How Many Concerts In Citi By Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga?
Err… none.
Will David Wright Attend The Old Timers Day Festivities?
No. Wish I knew the back story on this.
How Many Starts Will deGrom Have Against The Mets?
None. Deeply embedded into the IR system.
How many people will Omar Minaya trade this season?
How the hell would I know? Go ask Coppinger.
Will Injuries Play In Here?
Oh yeah. If you sign old guys, they will come Ray. I’m calling for Max, Quintana, Carrasco, and Escobar to all miss major time this season. In addition, I predict another one of our prospect starters in the minors go down for TJS.
Will The Mets Make The Playoffs?
Defintely. I see the division eatng each other all season and no team winning more than 99 games.
Will The Mets Win The Division?
Yes. They will never lead by double digits this season, but they will have learned their lesson to beat up the weak teams and not let this go down to the last series.
Will The Mets Make It Into The World Series?
Yes.
Will The Mets Win The World Series?
Let me answer this, this way. Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. It will all depend how healthy their original rotation will be at the end of the season. If Max, Verlander, and Senga are healthy… piece of cake.
What becomes of the Braves and Phillies if the Mets are to win the division? For what reasons will they take steps backwards?
ReplyDeleteAs I mentions, all the teams in the NL EAST will come close to breaking even in wins against their division rivals
DeleteEven Washington and Miami
I got 102 wins.
ReplyDeleteEdwin as my MVP.
MCNeil team batting leader, closely pursued but Mar Tay
I wish we were in the NL Central. We could start printing playoff tickets now.
If Ottavino regresses, it could be BMDO Time.
I left you an opening there Tom
DeleteMr Mack,the big one who is. Thre draft pick?
ReplyDeleteRHP Charlee Soto
ReplyDeleteI hope Verlander is all you expect him to be. That's a lot of load to carry. I also hope that there is not as much injury in the pitching staff as you predict...but they are an old staff.
ReplyDeleteAs I have always said, buy old, call the doctors
DeleteI’m good with these, Mack, though I’ll take the short odds on McNeil being the BA leader. Any thoughts on the prospect who takes the biggest jump up the rankings this season? I’ll go with William Lugo. Looking for 20++ HR, .825+ OPS, shows he’ll stick at 3B, and finishes the year in AA still at 21 yrs old.
ReplyDeleteI should have included this question
DeleteI have a tie between SS Jett Williams and SS D'Angelo Sarmiento
My biggest question is who will need a "darkness retreat" this summer? Also like you Mack I love the Jett but also hope the other Jet will find a QB and end a forever search but thats a tall order 50 years old.
ReplyDeleteDon't sign anyone past 40
DeleteRemember... anyone over 40 is past their.prime
Tell that to Bart.
DeleteGee Mack what does that say for most of us on this site:)? I'm just soooo happy those bleak years from the Madoff disaster to Stevie are behind us and that Timbuk3 song The Future's so Bright I gotta wear Shades will apply from here on out...fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteThe NLE teams won't have as many
ReplyDeletehead-banging games as in the past, with the new balanced skeds. The Mets, Braves and Phils will have lots of chances to beat up on the NLC and various AL teams. If everyone stays basically healthy;, we may challenge the record of our '86 team.
I don't see Verlander coming close to 30 decisions. If he gets 15-20 Ws, they will come with fewer than 10 Ls. I expect 15-6.
I was down on Otto early last year, but I'm glad he proved me wrong. He may not match last year's #s, but he won't totally collapse, either.
110-52, BAY-BEE!
I'd love to see at least 55-60 starts between Verlander and Scherzer (if not more). The results will take care of themselves, so long as they are available (unlike a certain someone last year). I trust Buck to manage the pitching staff with an eye towards the back half of the season and the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteTough division, for sure............I am more in the middle 90's in wins, which should be in the conversation with the Braves and Phillies for the division title.
If they stay reasonably healthy, the playoff should be an expectation and once you get into the tournament, you never know with our pitching (again, if it is available). You have to get hot at the right time (see the Braves in 2021, or the Phillies last year).
I predict that Ruf, Vogelbach, Canha and Louis G do not finish year as Mets.
ReplyDeleteI predict that Vogelbach,Carrasco have big first halves lead Mets into June with a big lead.
ReplyDelete