The Mets will be putting some new players and a better team on the field this season. But there are four holdovers the team needs more than ever…
Through the efforts of Mets GM, Brodie Van Wagenen, a cast of solid major league talent has been added to the team that elevates the Mets to a competitive level in the NL East. The bullpen is fortified with the trade for Edwin Diaz and the surprise re-signing of Jeurys Familia.
And for all his baggage, Robinson Cano is a professional hitter who the Mets can count on to supply production in the middle of their lineup. Last, but certainly not least, the Mets finally have a major league catcher in Wilson Ramos to handle the pitching staff and provide a bit of punch in the lineup.
Also, the one-two punch of Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard lines up back to back to face the opposition series after series is one of the best, if not the best, in the game today.
That much is set as we look ahead to the 2019 season. But it is the holdovers from last season who are more likely to impact how far this Mets team will go this season. And of those holdovers, only a few matter all that much.
Amed Rosario, if he can only add a few more points to his batting average and learn how to steal bases, will help the team, but not on a grand scale. The same is true of Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, both of whom are good players who can help, but not as more than role players.
Of the rest though, there are four players – two pitchers and two position players – who carry a more substantial burden on their shoulders. In no particular order, let’s take a look at each of them, with an eye towards highlighting the type of season each needs to have to propel the Mets out of the pack in their division.
Next: Michael Conforto, Mets Outfielder