New York Mets: Previewing The 2022 Season
Photo Credit: NY Post
Starting Rotation
On paper, this is the New York Mets biggest strength, led by their two Cy Young aces in Jacob deGrom and newly acquired Max Scherzer. But unfortunately, deGrom suffered another injury. This time, it is shoulder tightness, that will sideline him for at least four weeks. And now, Scherzer is dealing with hamstring tightness, that could possibly jeopardize his Opening Day availability as well.
If Scherzer can’t go on Opening Day this Thursday, April 7, then another newly acquired Met in Chris Bassitt, will get the team’s first start. Bassitt is another solid starter who became an All-Star for the first time in his career.
Tajuan Walker and Carlos Carrasco will fill in the next few spots in the rotation. Walker had a sensation first half of last season and was named an All-Star. However, it was the total opposite in the second half for Tajuan, going 0-8 with an ERA over 7.00. Carrasco was injured to begin the 2021 season, didn’t come back until the end of July, and never got into a consistent rhythm on the mound. The Mets are hoping to get the first half Walker and more of the Cleveland Indians version of Carrasco. With deGrom sidelined and perhaps Scherzer, Tyler Megill and David Petersen could possibly be in the rotation at the start of the season.
Bullpen
Edwin Diaz will once again be the Mets’ closer. After a disappointing 2019 season, Diaz bounced back to have two solid years in the next two seasons. Seth Lugo will most likely be Diaz’s setup man again. When healthy, Lugo can still be unhittable with his nasty spin curveball. Trevor May could fill in as the 7th inning reliever, or set up if Lugo needs rest.
The Mets, who need a lefty reliever, traded Miguel Castro to their crosstown rival Yankees in exchange for southpaw Joely Rodriguez. Rodriguez was nearly unhittable against left-handed batters in 2021, holding them to a .203 average. The Mets also brought back another lefty reliever in Chasen Shrieve, who was solid for them in 2020.
Catching
James McCann was a disappointment behind the plate in his first year in Flushing. He will look to bounce back, to be more of the consistent hitter was with the Chicago White Sox. Tomas Nido will once again fill in as the backup catcher. Nido as usual, won’t provide a strong bat but will provide solid defense behind the plate.
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Infield
Pete “Polar Bear” Alonso will once again man first base and deservedly so. Alonso had another solid power year offensively, hitting 37 home runs. His defense at first is still not Gold Glove-caliber but he has improved. Second base will either be Jeff McNeil or Robinson Cano. McNeil had his worst offensive year last season and will look to bounce back to be the hitter he was prior to 2021. Cano missed all of last season after being suspended for a year for failing a second PED test. Cano had a solid 2020 and has had a good Spring Training with the bat. With the DH coming to the National League again, Cano can perhaps be the Mets designated hitter for most of the season.
At shortstop, Francisco Lindor will also look to bounce back after a disappointing first season in Queens. Lindor played better towards the end, hitting 9 of his 20 home runs in September. His offensive struggles overlooked the fact that he was still solid defensively at short. Third base could be mostly held by new Met Eduardo Escobar. Escobar is a versatile infielder who provides pop with the bat, hitting 28 home runs last season. J.D. Davis can also fill in at third. He’s still not a reliable fielder at third but can still provide the offense with the bat.
Outfield
After Scherzer, the Mets’ next biggest offseason signing was Starling Marte. Marte will provide lots of speed, leading the majors with 47 steals last season, and is a proven hitter. He was expected to start at center field but has mostly play right field in Spring Training. Brandon Nimmo, who was expected to move to right field, has played mostly center in Spring Training. He still struggled at times, playing center, although he improved there in 2021. Nimmo continues to be a solid on-base hitter, getting on base consistently and having some power as well.
Leftfield will be either Dom Smith or newly signed Mark Canha. Smith also had a disappointing offensive year last season and is still a liability in left field. Dom had a great 2020 with the bat, so he’s a proven hitter. Canha is similar to Nimmo, in that he is a consistent on-base percentage hitter, who gets on base in any way.
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Manager
There will be a new name at the helm and a familiar one in baseball all around. Buck Showalter once again will be managing in NY, this time in the orange and blue. Showalter is a proven manager who will provide many experiences that the Mets haven’t had since Terry Collins was there. Buck will provide discipline and is a player’s manager who’s bonded with his players. He’s never won a World Series nor has managed in one. But for a Mets team that’s built to win now, Buck is the perfect man and could at least, help them reach the playoffs where they haven’t been since 2016.
Outlook
The Mets had a big offseason under billionaire owner Steve Cohen and are expected to contend. The question will always be health and that is currently not suiting well for the Mets already, with deGrom sidelined and possibly Max. But if deGrom can come back soon, there is definitely no better duo in a rotation than him and Scherzer. The lineup will depend on whether some of the hitters bounce back after disappointing 2021 seasons in Lindor, McNeil, and Smith. If these three can be more of the hitters that fans are more accustomed to seeing, the Mets will have a deep and powerful lineup. At worst, the Mets could at least grab one of the three NL wild card spots.
