2013 MLB Team Previews – N.Y. Mets
When New York decided to jettison a few high-priced but underperforming players during the 2011 season Mets fans accepted the fact that last season was the start of a major rebuilding program. The end result was an overall record of 74-88 which was actually three more losses than the year before, but the team may finally have some of the right pieces in place for a change.
The last time New York posted a .500 record or better was in 2008, but as it continues to develop young talent and add a couple of key veterans here and there, the road back to contending in the NL East is not nearly as long as it once use to be.
Bovada’s Odds to Win
- NL East: +1500
- National League: 40/1
- World Series: 100/1
Key Additions
While definitely not an addition after spending the last nine seasons with the team, David Wright’s new long-term contract should ensure that the All-Star third baseman will remain a Met for life.
Cy Young winner RA Dickey could not agree on a new long-term deal so he was traded to Toronto along with Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas for a host of prospects including a pair of catchers in Travis d’Arnaud and John Buck.
Projected Starting Line-Up
- 1. Ruben Tejada, SS
- 2. Daniel Murphy, 2B
- 3. David Wright, 3B
- 4. Ike Davis, 1B
- 5. Lucas Duda, LF
- 6. Mike Baxter, RF
- 7. John Buck, C
- 8. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF
The infield remains intact from last season but the outfield is a whole other story. Andres Torres departed for greener pastures in San Francisco and Jason Bay is gone as well, leaving Lucas Duda at one corner and major question marks at the other two spots.Last season the Mets finished 10th in the National League in hitting with a team batting average of .249 and they were 10th in RBI (625) and 12th in total runs scored (650). [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
With some stability in the meat of the batting order, they have a good chance at improving the numbers in all three areas this year.
Projected Starting Rotation
- 1. Johan Santana
- 2. Shaun Marcum
- 3. Jonathon Niese
- 4. Matt Harvey
- 5. Dillon Gee
Dickey may be gone, but New York still has a few quality arms on its staff. Whether or not it is good enough to improve upon last season’s 4.09 team ERA remains to be seen. A key could be the heath of staff ace Johan Santana, who has been hampered with injuries over the past two seasons. The rest of the rotation will have to elevate their game to keep the Mets competitive in a tough NL East.
Closer
- Bobby Parnell
- and/or Frank Francisco
It looks like Francisco is likely to start the season on the DL so it will be up to Parnell to hold down the fort in his absence. Veteran relievers Scott Atchison and Brandon Lyon were added this offseason to give the bullpen some much needed depth.
2013 New York Mets Prediction:
There is no doubt that New York is moving in the right direction even if it is a slow and steady course. Look for an uptick in this season’s win total with a possible shot at getting back to at least .500.
Unfortunately for all the hungry Mets’ fans out there, it will not be enough to stave off another fourth-place finish in the division.
