Sizing up the National League East 2022: The New York Mets

As we wait for baseball to start, we figured that we take a look around the NL East and see what each team will look like once the season starts. Check back every week for a new team. Click here to see all the articles.

For the second straight season, the New York Mets have already made a huge splash in the Free Agent Market by signing former Washington Nationals Ace Max Scherzer. Let's start with taking a look at their starting rotation as it stands right now. In addition to making a splash in the free-agent market, The Mets also made a splash in their front office and hired a new manager Buck Showalter

Pitchers

The New York Mets pitching staff saw some dramatic changes over the offseason with the departure of Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard. Stroman was very successful in a Mets uniform in his two full seasons, never having an ERA above 4.00. Stroman is heading to the Chicago Cubs on a 3 year $71 million dollar deal. Syndergaard, who was one of the most beloved Mets in his tenure, hadn’t pitched more than two innings for the Mets since 2019 because of Tommy John surgery. Syndergaard signed with the Los Angeles Angels after being ghosted by the Mets front office during free agency. Also, the Mets were forced to say farewell to 41-year-old trade deadline acquisition Rich Hill and 2021 breakout relief pitcher Aaron Loup.Right now the only Mets relief pitchers under contract, aside from Trevor Williams, are Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Trevor May, Miguel Castro, and Drew Smith. This leaves out Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Robert Gsellman, and Brad Hand who was claimed off waviers in September.

Expect the Mets to be very active in acquiring another starter and also improving the bullpen and realivers once the lockout ends. Here is the projected starting rotation for the New York Mets

RHP Jacob deGrom
RHP Max Scherzer
RHP Carlos Carrasco
RHP Taijuan Walker
RHP Tylor Megill/ RHP David Peterson

Infield

The 2022 New York Mets infield is going to feature Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso at shortstop and first base respectively and the rest of the infeild is a bit up for discussion. In November, the Mets signed Eduardo Escobar to a two-year contract and after signing Escobar said that he would prefer to play third base but would play wherever he is needed. Escbor can also play second base, but he is more likely to be slotted at the hot corner, and then the question is who is going to be at second on opening day. The most obvious option is Jeff McNeil, who appears due for a bounce back season after a down 2021, but could be traded before being given the chance to rebound in New York.

Another option for the Mets at second base could be Robinson Cano, who will be looking to return at age 39 after being suspended for the entire 2021 season due to his second PED violation. Back during the shortnened 2020 season Cano had a batting average of .316, with 10 home-runs and 30 RBI's with 182 plate appearances in 49 games, not a bad problem to have for the Mets.

At shortstop last season, Lindor may not have had the season that the Mets wanted, as he didn't hit well for the majority of the season and the time he was swinging the bat nicely, the Mets were already out of contention. However, Lindor's defense was impressive during the season. He was a gold glove finalist and could have won one his first in the National League.

Outfield

The New York Mets outfield is pretty well put together. The Mets have a whole lot of depth in left field. It looks like Mark Canha will be the starting left fielder for the Mets in 2022 with the next guys in line to play being Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis, and finally Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo is only so far down the depth chart because he’s expected to start somewhere else. Moving him would weaken his spot over in right field. In enter field, the Mets have some impressive depth also in Centerfield. With the addition of Starling Marte alone changes everything. But if we then factor in what Brandon Nimmo was able to accomplish last season at the position, things are looking up at one of the club’s weakest positions in recent seasons.

A bit of a repeat of the other outfield positions, the only difference we have is the addition of Jeff McNeil. Brandon Nimmo is the projected starter with McNeil, Mark Canha, and Nick Plummer slotted in the rear.

If McNeil really does end up starting at second base for the team, I wouldn’t expect him to play much right field for them. More realistically, it is more expected to have Mark Canha slide across the outfield and see some action whenever needed. Even someone like J.D. Davis could make some sense at the position.

Overall, the outlook for the outfield is looking pretty good for the New York Mets.

Overall Outlook

For the past two offseasons owner, Steve Cohen has put some serious cash behind trying to get the Mets into the playoffs and have a deep run. Like 2021, the Mets go into the start of the baseball season as favorites to win the NL East. Hopefully, with a serious one-two punch at the top of the pitching rotation, they can finally get over the hump and make a deep playoff run.