New York Mets: 2018 Season preview, predictions, and more

The Coaching Staff

The biggest overhaul for the Mets in the offseason is not the player roster but rather the coaching staff. The Mets hiring of Mickey Callaway is unorthodox but they got their guy.

The Mets do not need to change much up from last season. They addressed the things they did. Injuries and a depleted pitching staff hurt them the most, not lack of talent.

So the Mets fired their head trainer and then went and got a manager with an expertise in pitching. Two for two. But there will obviously be hiccups with the new staff.

It is a new season, new city, new team for most of them.

Dave Eiland has an important job as the pitching coach. It is still a Sandy Alderson run team so pitching will be king.

Dustin Clarke, the new strength and conditioning coach, has to maintain a roster that was bombarded by injuries. They way he does his job must be so careful and precise. Keeping the athletes healthy is something that is so difficult but so important.

Even cutting the injuries in half from last year should be a goal for Clarke and the players.

Ruben Amaro and Glenn Sherlock are the base coaches. When it comes to base coaches good teams have good ones and bad teams have bad ones. Their jobs are what they are but there is little pressure on them. The Mets will not be doing much base running.

They do not have a lot of speed and will have to rely on fundamentals and the long ball for their runs.

Overall, the Mets’ new staff has been successful. Callaway and Eiland were parts of the Indians and Royals pennant winning teams respectively.

Lots of unproven here but the fine attention to detail and Callway’s desire to work with what he has is going to be something to keep and eye on in 2018.

Biggest Coaching strength: Winning pedigrees with other organizations

Biggest Weakness: Zero major league games managed for Callaway

Overall coaching grade: B+

Perhaps this one is too generous but the logic behind getting this staff, particularly Callaway is brilliant.

Up next is my prediction and  final thoughts.