Spring training is a time of hope, happiness, and wonder. The regular season is less than a month away, and every team has a chance to prove the haters wrong and win a championship. But spring training can also be a time of concern. Something could go wrong at any point in time. So what are some concerns for the Mets for the next few weeks? I have made a list of a few that hopefully will not come true.
1. Zack Wheeler gets injured. As Mets fans, we all know that injuries are a part of the game, and they could occur at any time… especially to a player as important as Zack Wheeler. But with Matt Harvey out for the season, and Jon Niese recently coming close to an injury, the Mets cannot afford for another pitcher to go down. As of now, their rotation consists of Bartolo Colon, who will end the season over 40, Jon Niese, who is on the risk of injury, Dillon Gee, who can be very inconsistent, and an unnamed fifth starter. So, if Wheeler were to go down with an injury, I think it is safe to say that the Mets are in trouble.
2. Lucas Duda is still a Met. I know what you are thinking, and the answer is yes… that says Lucas Duda not Ike Davis. It is a known fact that the Mets have a first base problem, but if I were Sandy Alderson, I would try to trade Duda as soon as possible. Personally, I am still a believer in Davis, and do not want to see him gone. Plus, he has proven he can be a major offensive threat, unlike Duda who has yet to hit over 15 home runs in a season.
3. Ruben Tejada remains healthy. Not to be rude, but it would be in the best interest of the Mets if Ruben Tejada got injured this spring, as it would give the Mets the push they need to sign, or trade for, a legit shortstop. As of now, Stephen Drew is rumored to sign with the Yankees, and Nick Franklin is rumored to be traded to the Pirates. But if Tejada got injured, then the Mets would have more motivation to make an extra push for a new shortstop.
4. The Mets do not make at least one more move. Sandy Alderson and David Wright both agree that the Mets have the potential to win at least 90 games this season. But with the team they have right now, it will definitely be hard to do. However, if the Mets are able to add just one more player, preferably a bat, then they have potential to be a great team, and win more than 90 games in 2014.
As Mets fans, we need to keep our heads up this spring training, and remain optimistic for as long as we can. However, in order to do so, there are many things that cannot happen, at least to save our sanity. So, it is key that these four things do not happen, for the Mets remain a team that will be a contender, and possibly a heavy threat in the NL East.
Good grief. Why as a fan, would you spend your time focusing on the worst possible scenarios? How can that be fun to think about? Try writing one about the best case scenarios.
my thought exactly
The Vegas over/under for the Mets is something like 73.5. They have not been more than a game off of the Mets record in years. Without building 50% of a new team before 31 March, the Mets will be very lucky to break even. I never see how such numbers, like 90 Wins, actually come into play in reality.
To do so, means the Mets will need to really charge over NL East juggernauts, who are several steps above the Mets. Are you at the same time predicting a melt down of the Braves and Nats? Also, the doorstop of the division has improved and quite possibly the Phillies with the over the hill gang hoping for the stars to align. Thats also not out of the question. The moves the Mets ahve made ultimately keep the team about the same as last year. Grandy for Byrd, Colon for Harvey (that was the sound of tears falling). Even when Syndergaard does come up he would have to better the killer stretch that Hefner put in. Perhaps worst of all is that the same inept field-management team is still in place. All in all, the Mets have not added 15+ wins to last years squad…but I would be interested in hearing where those wins come from in a division where the top is filled with excellent players and a legacy of winning.
Offer me 90+ wins in ’16 pending some position player changes (1B, 2B, SS, LF), and Im in.
The potential to be a great team! Sonny,take off your rose coloed glasses.
I see Dan’s point in highlighting the areas where the team knows it has faults. That’s the only real way to improve a team. See where you are weakest, then fix it.
I find your last paragraph ironic considering your projections are consistently super pessemistic.
Also, another unsubstantiated claim against Duda. Sigh.
Tejada can remain healthy and continue to underperform. That would/should have the same effect as an injury.
Wheeler’s injury would be hurtful … but on the basis of “do we have depth there?” I’d say we show far less depth at C than SP. Two catchers backing up our … let’s face it, oft injured … budding DarNo have something like a lifetime OPS of 600.
Duda’s presence is a threat only so long as TC remains determined to play him in LF. Otherwise he is at worst feh and on this team that places you as the #6 hitter.
Here’s the question to Dan/all others … anyone else see the commentary by Clark/union about “keeping an eye” on our payroll as a disincentive for SA to spend more, along the lines of “well since you are trying to MAKE me spend more, I specifically WON’T spend more. Just a thought.
I think the true worse case scenario is Granderson hitting .215 with 12 HR by late August, and TC bats him 4th all summer long.
Horrendous to actually cheer for an injury to a young athlete…. you should apologize without further explanation or expansion of your opinion. You’re way out of line!
I am hopeful that you and/or your Editor addresses this.
Nothing has been mentioned about Wilpon and Wilponomics. Them continuing to churn out their gerbil wheel financing is also a bad event.
I have to say Dan, I don’t think having Duda on the team is a worst case scenario, and as much as I’d like Franklin or Drew, I don’t like the idea of rooting for an injury.
When I saw Ike facing Wacha the other day he looked like the same bum who hit .150 in consecutive seasons. I don’t think he will ever improve his swing enough to be efficient against MLB pitching.
Joey, I couldn’t agree more.
Dan the problem is this team also has the potential to lose 90 games as well and no one would be shocked. Even if Wheeler stays healthy, this team has So many questions that need to be answered. Shortstop, catcher, starting rotation, closer, first base, bull pen, outfielders CY and CD. I just want the Mets to come out of spring training relatively healthy and take it from there. Worse case scenario? Wilpons refinancing their SNY debt and remain owners until until the sun sets in the east.
You left out one very important point, If Terry Collins gets hurt and can’t be the manager the
mets would then be able to win 90 games or maybe more!
This team is so stagnant that it stinks.
TC handing DiceK the fifth spot before Mejia throws a pitch.
TC declaring a Valverde/Farnsworth combination when both were cut from a major league team last summer. They are not free agents; they are non roster spring training invitees.
Duda or Davis; Davis or Duda; Duda or Davis; Davis or Duda etc, etc….
Tejada starting with no major league backup.
Tejada starting, period.
EY is a catalyst, all with his .318 OBP
Sorry Dan, after a winter of expectation, This Is The Worst Case Scenario.
Ike Davis hasn’t proven a damn thing. In fact, if he’s proven anything, it would be that he is inconsistent and unreliable, prone to half-season long slumps before turning it on once the team is well out of contention. I prefer Duda’s approach, and believe, with regular playing time at 1B, he’d break out. With Davis? It’s all wishing and hoping.
We would have to play .600 plus baseball to win ninety games…except for brief stretches we haven’t had that ability since 2006…we are not a team of above average players, most of the squad are at replacement level with a few exceptions, hello david, so if we are even conceiving of competing, I suggest that something miraculous must occur to meet our imaginative take on what we hope we become, perhaps trade pitching to Texas for Andrus, or pry Tulo loose with something tantalizing…in a few years we might have a team of youth fully realized but until then if we don’t lose ninety, I will be astounded…btw, I’m actually worried about our starting pitching strangely enough…prove me wrong
Wheelers mechanics are dangerous…Niese is tending to overcompensating, Colon is out of shape and facing hitters half his age,(I know about least yr), Gee is good but not great, occasionally hot, mostly not, Dice K could be the ace notwithstanding his recent history, Mejia could catch lightning, maybe, Lannan can not fool hitters later in the season…
Most say Wheeler’s mechanics flow easily
Colon has been this shape for five years or more
Niese *is* a flash point
Mejia looks good to phenomenal
Gee is what he is; a fourth pitcher and at that he’s probably one of the five best #4 pitchers in the NL
If any single one of those guys can’t make it, you are looking at replacing a #5 pitcher. Consider the leap to replace a #5 pitcher … a 4.8-5.0 ERA, 1.6 WHIP … and tell me that one of Montero, Thor, Lannan, or Dice K can’t fill that bill.
You can project weakness to nearly any team that isn’t spending $150MM a year, to any single category.
And I wouldn’t touch Tulo OR Andrus with your pole, much less mine. One can’t get on the field, the other can’t really hit, and BOTH are ridiculously over priced both in salary and what it would take to get them.
I don’t understand the distaste for Lucas Duda. He’s never played a full season at a position he can be comfortable in, he gets on base very well and hits for power. He’s certainly not an ideal first baseman but I just don’t understand why fans hate him so much.