It was a good year to be a Mets fan in 2024.
Not only did we exceed expectations, but we were in contention with the Braves for a title run. It was a year that saw the Braves and Phillies take a step back due to injuries and underperforming pitching.
It was nice to see the Mets win 96 games, 21 more than the disappointing ’23 season. The Marlins, as expected, regressed from last season and while the Caps improved, they are still at least a year from contention.
Several of
the Mets are under consideration for awards.
Lindor had his best year ever and has been nominated for MVP. Yamamoto is a candidate for both ROY and Cy
Young after a remarkable debut season. Our
new skipper is up for Manager of the Year.
Alonso had a good year with 58 homers to go along with 126 RBIs and a .242 BA. McNeil was again a solid contributor as he got his average above .300 once again. The baby Mets have matured nicely with productive years from Baty, Maurico and Alvarez.
Unfortunately, Marte suffered another injury which resulted in the mid-season promotion of Drew Gilbert. Drew provided a spark that enabled the team to recover from a mediocre June.
For the
first time in recent memory the team had a winning record against left-handed pitching. Had they won half of their games against
lefties in 2023, they would have made the playoffs.
The pitching
staff with the two new starters plus a revamped bullpen enabled the team to be
competitive in nearly every game. This
so-called transition year resulted in us closing the gap with the Braves.
Not only did
the Major League team have a season to remember, but the Minor League
affiliates performed exceedingly well. The
system is stacked at every level, and several previously unheralded prospects
made an impact.
Now that the
season is over several questions remain.
It seems more and more unlikely that the Mets and Alonso will reach an
agreement. Pete’s demand for an
expensive long-term contract is out of line with what the Mets are willing to
offer. Instead, the team may be turning
its attention to free agents Soto and Guerrero.
We’re going to miss you, Pete.
Now that Gilbert has established himself as a potential future star, the question is where Jett Williams and Luisangel Acuna fit for 2025. Both had good minor league seasons and appear ready to make the jump.
That being the
case, both McNeil and Nimmo may be expendable.
Because of his versatility, McNeil could remain as a super utility guy with
the ability to play multiple positions. Nimmo,
on the other hand, may be the odd man out.
Not since
the mid ‘80s have I been this optimistic about the future of this team. It’s going to be a fun ride.
Ray
8 comments:
Ray, when I first saw your headline, I thiught it was referring to 1924.
Kidding aside, this team has an upside indeed, if 1) players stay healthy 2) we add some good players and 3) they play up their expectations.
They were substandard by and large in 2023, the topic of my 11:00.
For every hopeful perspective, I am concerned with reality of outcomes. For instance, we all hope Parada is ready for late 2024. But in Arizona play, Parada has fanned 27 times in 70 plate appearances. How do you say "uh oh"
You'll have to excuse our senior citizen Ray here.
Seems age and years of rooting for a failed team have brought on some sort of time warp here.
Most people aging tend to live in the past. Not our Ray. He is a year ahead of all of us which is so typical Savage.
But I have questions
1. Who wins the 7th race at Aqueduct on Monday?
2. Who was the new manager?
3. Who was the 2nd new pitcher?
4. Am I still alive?
Not only are you alive, but you are still kicking ass.
Loved the moment of pure optimism. It is what makes Mets fans tick.
Optimism is better when it is earned.
Take JT Schwartz. We were all oozing optimism when he went on fire in the AFL, hitting .349 with 12 RBIs in his first 10 games. Over the past 2 weeks, 0 RBIs, and his average is down to .238.
Warranted optimism? When, in 159 minors and fall games in 2018, Alonso cracked 56 HRs and drove in 142. By his first Memorial Day weekend in Queens in 2019, he showed it was warranted with 19 HRs.
Typo on my last post - in 2018 in the minors, Pete hit 46 HRs, not 56.
If Mr Mack is big on Schwartz I say give him his shot.
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