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New York Mets: How they stack up against the NL East

By Ashleigh Binder

Jeff McNeil, New York Mets. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Jeff McNeil, New York Mets. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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It has been a bumpy offseason for the New York Mets off the field and as they get ready to start Spring Training, how do they stack up against the rest of the NL East?

The New York Mets were one of the most exciting teams last season after almost making an improbable September a playoff run. Pete Alonso emerged as the big-time hitter the team has been missing, belting a team record 53 home runs. He walked away as National League Rookie of the Year as well as winning the Homerun Derby. Not to be outdone, team ace Jacob deGrom won his second consecutive NL Cy Young award.

Playing in one of the toughest divisions in the Majors, the National League East, the Amazins have three other playoff-caliber teams to contend with. The Phillies, Braves, and Nationals are all talented enough to make a World Series run. After finishing last season 86-76 and in third place in the division, New York will need some players to step up and perform better.

The top of their rotation, deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman are a solid trio. However, after that, it seems a bit rocky about who will fill out those final two starting spots. Lefty Steven Matz will likely be one, but his inconsistency and vulnerability to getting down big in games early could push him out. The New York Mets signed Michael Wacha and 2016 AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello to compete for starting roles.

Slugger Yoenis Cespedes says he is fully healthy after sitting out all of 2019 and wants to hit 52 home runs this season. Adding Cespedes back into the Mets lineup that already features Alonso, Michael Conforto, and J.D. Davis could help put them at the top of their division.

For the New York Mets to win the NL East, they will have to get much better production from their bullpen. Edwin Diaz was a nightmare for the team after having one of the best seasons for a closer in Seattle. The Mets have decided to stick by Diaz and see if he can return to the closer who had 57 saves in 2018.

Let’s take a look at the competition.

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