MLB
A Preview Of The 2019 New York Mets
Another winter has come and gone and it is officially baseball season. With Opening Day just around the corner, let’s take a look at the projected roster for the 2019 New York Mets along with the Opening Day lineup. There may be some names that surprise you and there are certain names you expected. But all-in-all, this is a new Mets team that looks to take back the NL East and win the team’s first World Series since 1986.
Notable Offseason Additions
With new General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen at the helm, the Mets made some big splashes this winter. The first of which was the big trade that gave the Mets All-Stars Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz. The team addressed an uncertainty at second base and began the process of rebuilding a weak bullpen. To follow up, the Mets brought back a familiar face in Jeurys Familia (who they previously traded to the Oakland A’s back in July). He will primarily serve as the set-up man to Díaz. Shortly after, the team added desperately needed outfield depth with Rajai Davis and Gregor Blanco. Both will serve as great bench pieces down the stretch. To finish off a busy December, the Mets also signed catcher Wilson Ramos. With the return of Travis d’Arnaud uncertain (Tommy John Surgery), the Mets signed their primary catcher for the 2019 season who had a terrific 2018 when he was healthy.
January brought some even bigger and more surprising moves for the Mets. The team traded for outfielder Keon Broxton from the Brewers as well as infielder J.D. Davis from the Astros (both will serve as great depth pieces). They also had three free agent signings in All-Star Jed Lowrie, and pitchers Hector Santiago and Luis Avilán.
Between February and March, the Mets added a few more depth pieces. Infielders Danny Espinosa and Adeiny Hechavarria along with catcher Devin Mesoraco will look to fight some of the final roster spots available. The team also added a familiar face in Carlos Gómez; who will look for a huge bounce-back season in 2019 with the Mets. These names are along looking to make a major impact with the Mets this season and make a statement across Major League Baseball.
Notable Offseason Subtractions
Though the Mets did add some big names this offseason, they also lost some players fans hated to see go. Perhaps the biggest was fan-favorite Wilmer Flores. Flores was non-tendered by the Mets and became a free agent and later signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Mets also traded catcher Kevin Plawecki (in a very surprising move) to the Cleveland Indians. The biggest subtractions came in December when the Mets traded for Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz. Going to Seattle was Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and highly-regarded prospects Justin Dunn and Jarred Kelenic. Kelenic was thought as a future superstar for the Mets while Justin Dunn was set to make an impact on the Mets rotation. But was it worthwhile? Time will tell if the “win now” mindset benefits the Mets in 2019.
Notable Returners To Expect A Big 2019 From
Of course, a majority of the Mets roster is returning from the 2018 team. Some of those we can expect a big 2019 season from are outfielders Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo, the entire Mets starting rotation and infielders Amed Rosario, Dom Smith, and Jeff McNeil.
After a monstrous second-half for both Conforto and Rosario, they are expected to be leaders on the team. With veteran impact from Canó and Lowrie, Conforto and Rosario have the potential to emerge into true leaders in the clubhouse as well as being the Mets biggest offensive producers.
Two other breakout candidates are Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Both players made a huge impact statement last season the fans were not expecting. They will both look to carry their success into 2019 and build on what Mets fans never really expected.
The starting pitching staff and Dom Smith are perhaps the biggest pieces to the Mets success in 2019. Dom Smith has yet to have his breakout year (after being one of the Mets top prospects) and is RAKING this Spring. A big year from him along with the pitching staff staying healthy will be huge for the Mets. Outside of Jacob deGrom, specifically Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz, the staff must stay healthy if the Mets are going to be contenders down the stretch in a TOUGH NL East.
Though he was not with the Mets in 2018, top-prospect Pete Alonso can make an impact right out of the gate. He is having an unbelievable Spring so far, and due to injuries, he could very well find himself in the Opening Day roster.
Opening Day Roster and Starting Lineup
With all that information (which was a lot), we have a pretty good idea of what the 2019 Mets team will look like. To most fans, the team will most likely look like this. Outside of a few pre-season injuries that may change some roster spots, the Mets have great odds in a great division and very competitive National League. Expect great things from the Mets in 2019 because something amazin’ is in the future. LET’S GO METS!
Follow Us On Twitter:
Site: @T101Sports
Department: @T101SportsMLB
Writer: @zach_nau
Photo Credit to Arturo Pardavila III via Flickr
