In 2017, the Mets were an absolute disaster. Injuries, poor performances on the field, trading away talented players for small returns, and even a rally dildo in the locker room (See, this clearly is a very special Valentine's Day blog). It was the kind of relationship you'd like to set on fire and never speak of again. So, I won't. 2018 is here and Cupid will be firing his love-inducing arrows into the asses of Mets' fans everywhere today that look to baseball as their true love.
There is plenty to possibly love about the 2018 version of the Mets. Leading that love fest is the new man in charge. manager Mickey Callaway comes over from the Cleveland Indians, where he served as pitching coach to the best staff in the majors last year. That staff lead the majors in team ERA and strikeouts. His exuberance for the game and being installed as field general of the Mets has been evident since his introductory press conference. Yesterday, when asked about his current pitching staff, he said, "This is the best group of arms and stuff I've ever seen." I'm swooning over that glowing endorsement and Mickey's words in general about this team and is plans to restore it to relevance.
That brings me to the pitching staff. Last season was a blazing dumpster fire for nearly everyone not named Jacob deGrom. Noah Syndergaard was his typical dominant self until the end of April when he tore a lat muscle that caused him to miss most of the season. He returned in September to toss a couple of innings and was able to pop triple digits with his fastball, so the Mets should have a solid 1-2 punch with Thor and Jake the Great at the top of the rotation.
Now, things get dicey. Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler, Robert Gsellman, and Seth Lugo all suffered through injuries and huge stretches of ineffectiveness. They've all reported to camp healthy and early reports or promising. Mets beat reporter Rich Coutinho tweeted that Harvey looks great and the late movement on his fastball that made him so effective in past years has returned. Matz, who had the same ulnar nerve surgery this off season that deGrom had prior to last season, says he's good to go, and should be the lone lefty in the rotation. Wheeler, Gsellman, and Lugo are healthy and will battle for the remaining spot, or spots, if Callaway sticks to his plan of using a six-man rotation at times. The bullpen will be lead by the once-again healthy Jeurys Familia, lefty Jerry Blevins, last year's late-season addition AJ Ramos, and free agent Anthony Swarzak, who came over after a career year with the Milwaukee Brewers.
On offense, the longball, which chicks and dudes alike dig, has become all the rage in MLB. The Mets will have no shortage of home run power with a healthy Yoenis Cespedes leading the way. Cespedes was hampered by various leg injuries last year, but still smacked 17 homers in just 81 games. Michael Conforto earned his first All-star game appearance during his breakout season that saw him bash 27 homers while posting a .939 OPS in just 373 at bats before a freak shoulder injury ended his year in late-August. Free agency brought back Jay Bruce and his 36 long balls on a three-year deal. Todd Frazier also signed on for the next tow seasons to provide high OBP, great defense at third base, and yes, more home run pop. A full year of former top prospect Amed Rosario at shortstop will provide better infield defense, and if he can improve his patience at the plate, the lookout for a star in the making. There could be a battle for the first base job in spring between newly-added veteran Adrian Gonzalez and young prospect Dominic Smith. Smith showed up to camp "in the best shape of his life", but Gonzo has the inside track with his proven track record in the bigs.
The training staff was also revamped in the off season, as head trainer Ray Ramirez, aka the Grim Reaper, aka Mr. Walking Boot, was relieved of his duties. At the very least, this has to improve the Mets mojo, right?
There will be plenty to love about the 2018 Mets if all falls into place. 2015 and 2016 saw a World Series trip and a wildcard berth, respectively, with many of these same players, so it's not completely crazy. So to all my fellow Mets fans out there without a valentine today, take solace and place your love in the Mets. Just hope that they show us some love back in 2018.
LGM
