TEN REASONS WHY
Here we are
two weeks away from opening day. I’ve
made it clear in past posts that I’m optimistic about the coming season. Many belive that my feelings are unjustified after
a rather tepid off-season. Let me list
ten reasons why I believe the season will go according to plan.
1. Stability in the front office – it feels
as though we have finally hired the right people to run this organization. Looks as though we have taken the next steps
to adapt to the latest technology. David
Stearns and Carlos Mendoza appear to be the right people at the right time.
2. The return of Diaz as closer should
account for at least six to eight more wins over 2023. Not only that, but his presence also makes
the entire BP that much better.
3. The pen looks much improved over
last year with the possibility of three lefties, if Lucchesi makes the team. I’m
not convinced that Fujinami is ready for prime time, and I’m not sold on
Lopez. In other years Lavender would
have been a shoo-in.
4. With a year under his belt, expect Alvarez
to emerge as a leader. His potential is limitless. He is the heir apparent to
the number 5 position in the batting order.
5. Marte is back. Let’s disregard ST results. His ability to get on base will enhance the
top of the order.
6. Baty and Vientos both have had a
taste of the big leagues. Growing pains
are behind them. Third base and DH are no longer question marks.
7. Alonso will recover from a mediocre year
and his presence will solidify the middle order.
8. Jeff McNeil is back. In what may
turn out to be his last year as Met, he will provide punch from the six hole.
9. The Senga injury may turn out to be
a blessing in disguise as Tylor Megill turns out to be a good rotation piece.
1. Francisco Lindor will contend for the
MVP award. His talent will be on display for the entire season. And to think I
was not in favor of the trade to bring him on board.
Of course, this is all contingent on our main guys staying relatively healthy. A serious injury to any of Alonso, Lindor or Alvarez could knock us off the rails.
There
seems to be a lot of depth, especially in the pen. A number of guys who fail to
make the opening roster will surely make their debut later in the season. It’s
a matter of time before Gilbert takes over from Bader.
Strike up the
band, and pop the Champagne to celebrate making the post-season.
Ray
March 15
2024
14 comments:
Nice fiction
I normally do an annual pre-season prediction post. Not this season.
Trying to stay positive
Regarding the 2024 Mets that means pure unending ignorance
A true Mets fan. We're always optimistic at the start.
I would love to see these predictions come through, but I'm sure some of them will remain unfulfilled.
I think I would rather have Lavender than Fujinami. Not sure the leadership will allow themselves to make that call because they spent money on Fujinami, but it would be the right baseball decision in my opinion.
Good article Ray. Perfect for the spring. Let the haters, hate, LOLLLLL.
Seriously however, I don’t understand this “just wanting to compete”. I thought the plan was to be the Dodgers East? Now we want to be the Diamondbacks? Is there a market for Alonso or not? Screw the newspapers, if the Cubs gave up Ferris and a minor league reliever for Busch and that’s all they wanted o spend, then I guess there isn’t.
This is McNeil’s last season, and that’s ok.
It could be worse: we could have just emptied out our farm to get The Generational Juan Soto and then have Cole and Judge get hurt…
And sure enough, after here I go to The Athletic, and I read this from Rosenthal and Weaver:
“Don’t let the relatively short list of departures below fool you; most of the Mets’ subtractions came at last year’s deadline. It’s funny now to look back at a year ago when there was talk of the “East Coast Dodgers.” Not only did their winter castle melt in the summer sun, but then the Dodgers spent a billion-plus dollars this offseason (including signing Mets target Yoshinobu Yamamoto) to remind everyone: there’s no any-other-coast Dodgers.”
Well, a fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…. you to you Rosental! He then goes on to remind us that they aren’t anywhere near the Braves and the plan was always for 2025. Ok, here’s my plan: start getting aces. Sign Roki Sasaki when he gets posted after 2026. Let’s see how long the Braves can live the charmed life.
My article tomorrow points out a few interesting positives, one of them involving Ray’s boy.
Good job, Ray. Above all else, health (or lack thereof) will dictate record.
I agree with the 6 to 8 extra wins with Edwin back. He was only at 97% of regular season velocity the other day and smoked them anyway. The aura counts!
(I can only imagine what Gus deleted here...)
Rosenthal and I are on the same page
Mack, I consider myself an optimist not an ignoramus
Let's see how the season plays out.
Definition of ignoramus
" a totally ignorant person"
Wow
And YOU write on MY site
In the past I would have written this year off as a middling campaign of mostly watchable baseball that falls short of the playoffs and that, by the all-star break, you're mostly watching to see the kids play and to see the vets chase personal milestones and achievements.
With 3 wild card spots I think that Mets have a chance at sneaking into the playoffs. Look at the Phillies the last two years. Pretty underwhelming regular season campaigns and they did pretty well by getting hot at the right time.
Beyond that... this is baseball. Look at the 2015 team. That did NOT look like a division winning team through most of the first half and that's why you play the games and don't just pack it in from day 1.
I'm really excited to see the development of the young guys who are starting off on the 26 man this year and I'm really looking forward to the debuts of Gilbert, Acunua and Williams.
Ray,I always say, Ignore a Moose at Your Peril.
All's ok.
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