MLB Team Preview Series - New York Mets

steemsports (80) in steemsports • 7 years ago (edited)

SteemSports Presenter: @bbleehehh9

SteemSports Editor: @theprophet0

The Mets were one of the biggest disappointments in all of baseball during the 2017 season, finishing just 70-92, in fourth place in the National League East, 27 games behind the division-winning Nationals.

Projected Lineup:

2B - Asdrubal Cabrera

3B - Todd Frazier

LF - Yoenis Cespedes

RF - Jay Bruce

C - Travis d’Arnaud

1B - Adrian Gonzalez

CF - Juan Lagares (Michael Conforto on DL)

SS - Amed Rosario

Projected Rotation:

Jacob deGrom
Noah Syndergaard
Jason Vargas
Matt Harvey
Steven Matz / Zack Wheeler

Projected Closer:

Jeurys Familia
A.J. Ramos

Once again, the strength of the Mets’ roster heading into the 2018 season is unquestionably their starting rotation. They will however, need much better performances from Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler if they have any dreams of competing for a playoff berth. Health of the staff as a whole is going to play a major factor as well.

On the offensive side of the ledger, things look a whole lot better with a healthy and active Michael Conforto, though they’ll have to manage without him until around May 1. They don’t have an ideal leadoff hitter, or #2 hitter for that matter, so new manager Mickey Callaway may need to do some mixing and matching until he finds something that works atop the lineup.

Fantasy Sleeper - Todd Frazier - 3B

He’s not really a sleeper in the traditional sense, but Todd Frazier looks to me like a terrific value in early fantasy drafts. He’s currently going off the board around pick 273, putting him in the 18th round of 15-team formats and an afterthought in 12-team leagues. If he’s hitting second in the Mets’ lineup, it should lead to ample counting stats and Frazier has always delivered in the power department. He didn’t run at all during his stint with the Yankees in 2017, but has some stolen base upside as well, especially with a team that’s expected to be more aggressive overall.

Fantasy Bust - Amed Rosario - SS

Don’t get me wrong, I love this kid and think he’s going to wind up being a star in this league. I just don’t anticipate a major step offensively coming in 2018 and think he’s being overdrafted for what he provides. Rosario struggled to a .248/.271/.394 line with four homers and seven swipes over 46 games in his 2017 debut. The speed is legit and will be his biggest fantasy asset in 2017, but 20-25 bags don’t justify his price at pick 213 overall, not when it comes with very little power and awful counting stats hitting eighth in a National League lineup.

Team Projection

Overall, I think there’s a lot of talent in this bunch. If the starting pitching can stay relatively healthy, there’s a very real chance that this club could compete for a Wild Card berth in the National League. I think the offense as a whole is vastly underrated, especially once Conforto returns. They should be fun to watch and be a competitive club for most of the season.

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7 years ago by steemsports (80)

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tinylayla (45) · 7 years ago

Nice breakdown. I’ll add that Montero, Lugo and Gsellman add depth to the starting rotation. All had turns last year and held up respectfully. Not sold on Harvey and the odds are....someone is gonna go down.
Flores, Nimmo and Reyes will be back along with big Dom Smith (huge disappointment so far) to add some switching and platoon opportunities.
I’m praying that Rosario can find his stroke and get on base. Could HE be the mid season candidate for lead off? He’d have to prove it and I’m doubtful at the moment.
Lastly....it was great picking Bruce back up. And I totally agree. This team should have a bounce back year and compete at least for a wild card. On paper they do. : )

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bbleehehh9 (42) · 7 years ago

I think that Conforto winds up hitting out of the leadoff spot once he returns. That leaves Cespedes and Bruce in the 3/4 slots and provides a nice balance to the lineup as a whole.

As far as rotation depth is concerned, I agree that Montero, Lugo and Gsellman add necessary depth, especially given the lengthy injury histories from Harvey, Matz and Wheeler. You're realistically hoping that one of those three can hold up physically and return to form. My surprise guess from that group is actually Wheeler.

Reyes and Flores are both terrific bench bats. I think Reyes devolves back into a super-utility role covering three infield spots and getting work in the outfield as well. Flores still mashes left-handed pitching and will be on the lineup against all southpaws. He'll also spell Frazier and Gonzalez on occasion.

I want to be higher on Dom Smith, given his minor league resume, he just looked so lost at the dish at the end of the 2017 season. The fact that the Mets' went out and got Adrian Gonzalez this winter doesn't bode well for how the Mets' view him either. It wouldn't surprise me to see him begin the season at Triple-A to work through some of his issues.

Rosario could absolutely take a leap forward. He's going to be a star someday. I just don't think that major step offensively comes this season.

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tinylayla (45) · 7 years ago

Exactly!! Great points. Wheeler really looks good. His velocity was up in his first time out this week. And it's funny how Reyes turned himself into this utility role. I never would have guessed it. I wish I could turn back time and give him that speed back. Imagine the Reyes of old in the 1 spot. Wow, that would solve everything. : )

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bbleehehh9 (42) · 7 years ago

That would solve a big problem at the top of the lineup, you're right. Man, I loved Reyes while he was in his prime. I'm really glad that he has been able to carve out a niche and is still able to fill a valuable role with the Mets though.

One thing that you really have going for you that I didn't touch on much in the write-up is the improved bullpen. Whether it's Familia or Ramos taking the ball in the ninth inning, that's still a very formidable 1-2 punch at the end of the game. Add Anthony Swarzak into the mix with a bullpen that already has Jerry Blevins, and this could be a very good unit.

If they're able to handle the lead from the seventh inning on, it takes a lot of pressure off of that young staff knowing that they'll only need to give you six, or even five-plus strong innings.