Maybe the Mets don’t have enough to win a pennant or World Series in this, the shortest scheduled season since at least the 19th century.
And maybe this isn’t the best defensive Mets squad ever...nah, not even close.
But, as a long time fan with an equally long memory, I have a painful memory in recalling the mere 3.6 runs per game that the Mets averaged in their first TWENTY ONE SEASONS!
BUT FOR 2020? I LOVE THIS TEAM’S OFFENSE! WOW!
First Base? Number 53, Pete Alonso. I don’t know what number he wears, AND I DONT CARE. He bopped 53 in 2019 in his first 160 MLB games. THAT is his number. "Maestro? ENCORE!"
Second Base? Robbie Cano, dontcha know. His bad 2019 was more due to injuries than anything else like age. Sweet stroke returns in 2020, I'm betting. And he’ll do some DH, which will keep him healthy.
Shortstop? Amed Rosario was on fire after the All Star break last year. He restocked on rocket fuel for 2020 and plans to use it.
Third Base? Jeff McNeil, quickly turning into one of the best offensive players in Mets history.
Right Field? Michael "MC Hammer" Conforto, who hammered a ton of long balls (33) in 2019. Prime time production lies ahead for this lefty slugger.
Center Field? Brandon Nimmo...an on base MACHINE, with some pop to boot. When healthy, he challenges to be in the top 5 in all of baseball in on base %.
Left Field and DH? A combo of a healthy Yoenis Cespedes, back to feared slugger form, and ready to match Alonso’s prodigious drives with his own; JD Davis, who had one heck of a terrific break out offensive season in 2019; and Dominic Smith, who wants (in my mind) to prove he is prime time Adrian Gonzalez equivalent.
Catcher? Wilson Ramos, who had a top quartile offensive year for a Mets starting catcher in 2019.
WOW! THAT’S SOME OFFENSE TO LOOK FORWARD TO!
What do you think, ignoring their defense, and just focusing on the offense?
9 comments:
Well, ignoring defense has been the Mets way for quite some time now. It hasn't worked.
I take offense to your comment LOL
I am going with 5 runs per game for this offense. No calculation, just a gut.
It is unusual for the Mets to have at least average offense at every position, and a few positions with superior offensive expectations. But that's what I see here. Only flaw with this view is if Ramos misses a lot of games.
As the CRO (Chief Resident Optimist) here, I am proud to welcome Tom into the forces of light. Who knows? Maybe Reese will see the light, too. Would a WS title do it?
Nah, I'm not THAT optimistic. 😢
I agree with Reese here.
Playing bad defense will cost games. And we only have 60 to play.
It seems a .500 record will get a team into the playoffs this season, so I guess the Mets do have a chance to out-slug their opponents there while throwing defense to the wind.
Mack, I think you have Guillorme, Marisnick and perhaps Ali Sanchez as late replacements, at least for a while, to shore up the D late in tight games or with leads.
I think the "slugging and good starting pitching" formula worked last year, except the bullpen failed miserably.
Speaking of the pen, it will be interesting to see how Betances responds with an extra 4 months to rehab. Hopefully, it gave him enough time to return to 95+.
Bill, I don't think I have ever gotten over the Mets' offensive anemia through 2/3 if not more of their storied franchise years. I want runs and slugging.
So do I, Tom! And I don't see us as defensively "weak". Cano has lost some range, but still has good hands and turns a fine DP.
Pete is far better than his original scouting reports said, and improved steadily last season.
Nimmo is not a Lagares in CF, but is not a bumbler, either.
Ramos is a weak spot, and LF is not strong, but there's no one who makes me cringe when I see a ball heading his way.
It's interesting that those who value D and stress its importance were so critical of Lagares because he didn't hit enough, though he had only one very bad season at the plate and is a career.250+ hitter.
Think you need balance. Mets were the second worst fielding team in baseball last year with Lagares - Marisnick should be a slight upgrade. Ramos, Cano, Alonso, Rosario, are all negative fielders, McNeil is a plus defender at 3B but does not rate as high on 2B. Davis is negative in LG and 3B.
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