With the year 2015 about to shut the door, we offer certain things New York Mets fans should expect this coming season in 2016.
By David Hong
They won the National League East Division for the first time since 2006. They then went on a deep playoff run, capped off by an unexpected trip to the World Series. It was the first time since 2000 that the Mets reached the World Series.
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Although they fell short of their complete goal, losing to the Kansas City Royals in the World Series in five games, considering six straight losing seasons was the unfortunate streak in the clubhouse, it turned out to be a great and unforgettable season for the Mets in 2015.
So, as 2016 draws near, we ask ourselves what Mets fans be hoping for.
Here are a bunch of what the Mets and their fans should hope to see next year:
David Wright, Travis d’Arnaud Will Stay Healthy
2015 was an injury riddled season for both David Wright and Travis d’Arnaud, but when they were both healthy it was big for the Mets offense towards the end of the regular season and the playoffs. It will be even bigger next season without Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy.
Lets start with Wright. We all know his injuries last year, especially with the spinal stenosis that forced him to miss a large chunk of the season and raised questions about his future. Wright did come back at the end of the season, and while it was up and down for him in terms of his performance, his presence definitely helped the Mets late season push. We all know Wright won’t be the same feared slugger that he once was but he can still be a decent hitter who will still provide pop. Plus his experience and leadership will also provide much needed help too.
d’Arnaud has been injury prone so far in his early career although last season’s injuries were sort of freak injuries that he didn’t cause. Hopefully better luck in 2016 because d’Arnaud will add extra pop to this lineup and his hitting has improved and should still go up as he still develops.
Lucas Duda Will Prove More Consistent
Duda was clearly the Mets streakiest hitter and one of the streakiest in baseball last season. After hitting 30 home runs in 2014, Duda followed with 27 homers in 2015 but it was an up and down stretch. Duda went through a few long stretches where he barely hit but he also went through a few stretches when opposing pitchers couldn’t get him out. When Duda was on, he can clearly carry the Mets offense on his own with his power. None so more evident then back in late July and early August when Duda hit nine home runs during an eight-game stretch. The Mets need more of that consistently in 2016.
Walker, Cabrera Will Form Solid Middle Infield
The Mets will have a new look middle infield in 2016 with second baseman Neil Walker and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Gone is Daniel Murphy, and Wilmer Flores has been relegated as a backup, although Flores should still get some starts when Walker, Cabrera and Wright need days off. Walker can manage this with his versatiliy.
Walker’s offense is expected to be pretty similar to Murphy’s, but he’s also expected to provide better defense there. While Cabrera may not have the same range as he used to have at shortstop, he is still expected to provide better defense there than the less experienced Flores. So in short, the hitting could be similar but the defense should and hopefully be better.
Michael Conforto Will Develop As An All-Star
One of the best stories in 2015 happened when the Mets brought up young Michael Conforto from the minor leagues. Conforto came into his own, providing offense with some power and playing better defense in the outfield than expected.
Most importantly, he provided a fresh presence for the future of this franchise. Conforto will be the full time left fielder and is expected to take another step up and hopefully be an All-Star caliber player.
Juan Lagares Will Improve
Juan Lagares took a step back in 2015. He couldn’t hit righties and even his defense struggled at times, particularly his throwing. A lot of that may have been with his elbow issues. With Cespedes out and the Mets not finding a suitable replacement for him, Juan should get more starts at center, platooning with newly acquired Alejandro DeAza.
Lagares is still a Gold Glove caliber outfielder who can catch with the best of them. If he can ever improve his offense and hit right handed pitching more consistently, the Mets will miss Cespedes less.
Curtis Granderson Will Repeat Solid Season
The Mets offensive MVP was clearly Granderson as he was the most consistent player in the Mets lineup. Thrust into the leadoff spot, Granderson made the most out of it. He took more pitches, drew 91 walks and it led to him having a better offensive year with 26 homers. Anything close to what he did last year will definitely help.
The Starters Will All Stay Healthy
We all know what the Mets young flame throwing starters can do on the mound. So, we just hope that they’re all healthy during the course of the season. That pitching over his innings limit will not affect Matt Harvey; that Noah Syndergaard will avoid Tommy John in any way; that Steven Matz, who’s had his share of injuries already, will avoid them; and finally Zack Wheeler will come back nicely from his Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of last season.
The Mets Will Find A Dependable Setup Man
Closer Jeurys Familia is least of the Mets concerns heading into the 2016 season, but the rest of the bullpen is, especially whether the Mets can find a dependable setup man.
Tyler Clippard will not likely be brought back. Addison Reed is back and he is likely to be the setup guy unless if the Mets find a more suitable replacement. Reed pitched really well after the Mets picked him up last August. He was up and down in the playoffs. If the Mets get anything out of the regular season Reed, they got their eight inning man. If Reed falters, young Hansel Robles could also be a candidate with his electrifying stuff and swagger.
Heading into next year, looking at this bullpen, it would be safer to find another reliever who’s had eighth-inning experience.
History Repeats Itself
There were two things about the Royals winning the World Series last season that could help the 2016 Mets history wise in winning it all.
First of all the Royals lost the 2014 World Series and came back and won it the next year.
Second, the last time the Royals won the World Series prior to last season was back in 1985. The Mets won the World Series the next year in 1986.
With those two facts and the Mets losing in the World Series last year, hopefully history repeats itself and the Mets will carry the World Series crown. Just like the Royals looked against the San Francisco Giants in 2014, the Mets lack of World Series experience showed against K.C.
If the Mets get back to the Fall Classic, they should definitely be more equipped this time after being there last season.