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New York Mets: Doc Gooden Talking Dynasty

By Nick Ziegler

Apr 19, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets former player Doc Gooden throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Mets take on the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets former player Doc Gooden throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Mets take on the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets will be reporting for spring training in the very near future, and expectations are high for the NL Champions.

Last season, the Mets exceeded expectations by winning the NL East rather easily over the Washington Nationals and then making a run in the playoffs all the way to the World Series. The young pitching staff that fans have been waiting years for, all came together in 2015, and it led to a magical season.

One of the Mets’ former players, Doc Gooden, believes that the Mets have built something truly special once again in New York.

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“With the pitching they have they can start a dynasty here,’’ Gooden told Kevin Kernan of The New York Post on Thursday at Mets fantasy camp.

The Mets were recently able to come to an agreement with outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to return for at least the 2016 season, and that could be the move that helps the Mets win a title.

“I loved them re-signing [Yoenis] Cespedes because even with those great arms, you have to score runs and he brings that fear to the middle of the order. All the attention is on him and the other hitters can just do their thing,’’ Gooden said to Kernan.

The signing of Cespedes also shouldn’t affect the Mets’ chances of re-signing their star pitchers, as the deal for Cespedes is only for three years, with him holding the option to opt out after the first.

If Gooden was the owner of the Mets, he would be looking to lock this pitching staff up now, and his idea is actually a very good one if the pitchers were to agree.

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“I’m a fan of the game and a fan of the Mets and Yankees, and I look at the game totally different,’’ he said to Kernan, “but if I could, if I were the owner of the Mets, I would try to lock these guys up now. Buy out the arbitration years and two or three years of free agency. They are that good.’’

The debate on who is, or will be the best pitcher on the Mets’ staff is a fun one to have, and Gooden has his pick of who his favorite is.

“Harvey is my friend,’’ Gooden noted with his trademark smile, “but right now, I’d say Syndergaard is my favorite. I’m not saying Syndergaard is the best pitcher on that staff, but I like watching him. He has that bulldog mentality, and I loved it in the World Series how he threw the ball over the first guy’s head and afterwards said, ‘If they wanted me, they could have come out [of the dugout].’

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“His aggressiveness reminds me of me, although he is more vocal than I was. Throw inside, move the batter’s feet.’’

Barring any major injuries, the Mets have a great opportunity to win in 2016 and for years to come, as their pitching staff has the potential to be something truly special.

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