New York Mets: Cool April weather brings a hot Mets team

The New York Mets are off to a hot start in the months where the weather in New York is cool. We have seen this before, but maybe not.

The 2019 New York Mets appear to not be the same team they were in 2018. Starting hot in the month of April does not guarantee post-season action in October. We learned that last year. But this team is different. A cool April weather brings a hot Mets ball club with hopes of an even hotter October.

The Mets were on a cusp of proving that point last year when they started the season at 11-2. Met fans were already salivating at the thought they were going to be in winter clothing braving the cold for a chance to see them play for that ring again.

As it turned out, fate was not in the Mets favor. Injuries, slumps, questionable managerial moves, and lack of depth exposed the Mets for what they were, an organization that tried to get by with plugins and bargain basement picks with the hope they can be competitive with a pitching staff that was the envy of the rest of the league.

It did not work.

The Mets were exposed when Jay Bruce played the outfield like he had a hot foot. As much of a gamer he is, you cannot play every day with plantar fasciitis. Yoenis Cespedes could not contribute because of what turned out to be heel spurs, requiring surgery on both feet. Michael Conforto was rushed after major shoulder surgery and play to try to get back to form.

I can go on and on but you get where this is leading, no depth on the roster and little talent in the minors to replace them.

There were still bright spots last year. Brandon Nimmo came to his own finding his role as the leadoff hitter. He did it well, finding ways to get on base by any means necessary. Rookie Amed Rosario was lost for the first of the season but found his way back and produced solid numbers giving Mets fans a glimpse of the star he is going to be.

Then there is Jacob deGrom, the ‘deGrominator’, Cy Young winner and leader of the clubhouse. Incredible to know if he had a little run support, he could easily have won 25 games. But the Mets’ futility in the offense could only get him a 10-9 record with a WHIP of 0.91 and an ERA of 1.70. Amazing!

It was obvious change was needed to be made. Sandy Alderson resigned as General Manager and in comes Brodie Van Wagenen, a brash super agent with big fresh ideas. He made it clear that for the Mets to compete, there must be a change in philosophy, attitude, and approach to the game. Out with the old and in with the not so new.

Getting Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano for Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, and three minor leaguers was controversial. The Mets unloaded salaries and got the best closer in the game, but also got an aging second baseman with a big contract.

So far though, this trade is turning out well for the Mets. Diaz is not intimidated by New York. On the contrary, he is embracing the challenge and has five saves in this young season. Cano is hitting under the Mendoza Line, but his leadership is clear in how players like Pete Alonso, J.D. Davis, Jeff McNeil, Amed Rosario, Dom Smith are responding. And that is not including Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie, both out with injuries but are working their way back to Flushing.

It is no mistake or fluke that the Mets are doing well in April this year. The starting pitchers are solid and the bullpen, although susceptible, has been picked up by the offense.

The big difference is depth. This is Van Wagenen’s team and this was his goal, to not skip a beat should there be an injury or a player needs a day off. Getting the key players that fill the roles and buy into his business model is so far producing an exciting team.

If the Mets continue to stay hot in April, perhaps they can carry this into the post-season. Met fans will welcome a hot team in a cool weather post-season, in a much different way from a hot team in the cool weather now. They will not complain about wearing winter attire in Flushing.