The New York Mets have spent considerable resources to improve a lackluster roster that disappointed in 2021.
There are still positions to address after the lockout, but the franchise now has a general manager, a skipper, and some star-level reinforcements.
They are on the right path, and are poised to be contenders in a competitive National League.
What can we expect from them in 2022?
3. Complete The Starting Rotation Depth
The Mets brought Max Scherzer in on a record-breaking three-year, $130 million deal before the lockout.
That represented a franchise-altering move, as they will now pair Scherzer with the best starter in baseball: Jacob deGrom.
However, an important thing to remember is that the Mets lost Marcus Stroman to the Chicago Cubs and Joey Lucchesi to Tommy John surgery.
In addition, Tylor Megill was a rookie in 2021 and Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker aren’t exactly the models of good health.
David Peterson is the other name to watch in the rotation depth, but behind him, there isn’t much to talk about.
The Mets need to go out and bring in at least a couple of starting pitchers once the transaction freeze is lifted.
2. Win 95 Games
Scherzer and deGrom alone are good enough to put the Mets in position to win dozens of games between the two.
Both are top-five pitchers in MLB when healthy.
After that, the Mets have a collection of talented ballplayers and stars who guarantee the team will be competitive, unlike 2021.
Francisco Lindor returned to his usual self (124 wRC+ since June, which means his offensive production was 24 percent above the average) after two ugly months in April and May, Pete Alonso is among the league’s premier sluggers, and the team brought in dynamic center fielder Starling Marte and on-base machine Mark Canha, not to mention versatile infielder Eduardo Escobar.
Edwin Diaz remains an elite closer capable of missing bats at an elite rate, and while the bullpen suffered the loss of Aaron Loup (0.95 ERA in 2021), it still has Seth Lugo, Trevor May, Drew Smith, Miguel Castro, and Sean Reid-Foley.
Add a couple of starters and a couple of solid relievers after the lockout, and the Mets could approach 95 wins.
If Scherzer and Jake stay healthy all season, and Mets go 41-21 in their games, if they go 52-48 in the other 100 that gets them to 95-wins.
— J.M. Casper (@metrbocker) November 30, 2021
It’s a reasonable goal for the organization as a whole, and it could guarantee a postseason appearance.
1. Advance To The World Series
If the Mets manage to achieve the first objective, which is qualifying to the playoffs, they will be very hard to beat at that point.
Imagine having to face a postseason rotation in which Walker is the worst starter.
That one-two punch of deGrom-Scherzer could be deadly for other teams in the playoffs.
The Mets want to lean on those two, and that, in addition to some expected offensive rebounds (Lindor, Dominic Smith, JD Davis, and Jeff McNeil are capable of much more than what they showed last season) puts them in good position to fight for the right to play in the World Series.
The Mets haven’t gone to the Fall Classic since 2015, and haven’t won it since 1986.
Their moment is now, and making the World Series is a realistic scenario for the win-now Mets.
The Mets are winning a World Series this year 🍎🏆⚾️ #YaGottaBelieve https://t.co/edO1Cqr4i2
— Jordan |Jordy| (@metsjordy96) January 1, 2022
Winning it is also a possibility.
NEXT: Why Did Francisco Lindor Struggle In 2021?