Christmas wishes for the 2017 Mets

For those of us who aren’t independently wealthy and who try to be optimists, 2016 sure was a lousy year. The Mets’ closing kick in August and September could only make up for so much. But it’s the season to be joyful and triumphant. Let’s try a Christmas verse and see if it helps.

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear

It’s a holiday tradition here to give out gifts to the players and management. May they find these 2017 promises under their tree this month:

Jay Bruce – A second half to match his first half. Lifetime he has an OPS 37 points higher before the All-Star break and last year it was a whopping 91 points.

Asdrubal Cabrera – For everyone he comes into contact with to agree to pretend it’s still 2016, which was just a terrific season for him.

Yoenis Cespedes – A season where he doesn’t have to make a single start in center field. He had a 9.0 UZR/150 in LF last year, compared to a (-20.6) UZR/150 in CF.

Michael Conforto – No PA against Madison Bumgarner, who seemingly single handedly started his slide last year.

Travis d’Arnaud – The return of his power, which went AWOL last year.

Jacob deGrom – An All-Star appearance to make up for the one he was foffed out of last year.

Lucas Duda – The 550+ PA he got in both 2014 and 2015. If healthy, everything else will take care of itself.

Jeurys Familia – The grace to handle his situation as well as the closer across town seemingly dealt with his in 2016.

Wilmer Flores – For his fans to understand that the hamate bone injury that he suffered is well-known for affecting a player’s power.

Curtis Granderson – Full-time play with some days off when he goes into an extended funk, as he’s prone to do.

Robert Gsellman – A season with 30 starts.

Matt Harvey – An increase in velocity, like Matt Harrison had after his TO surgery.

Juan Lagares – Extended sessions with Kevin Long to unlock the power like he did with Granderson and the middle infielders.

Seth Lugo – For the results from his curve ball to match the hype it gets for its spin.

Steven Matz – A full season in Queens.

Brandon Nimmo – Some extra contact and some extra power to make up for the inevitable BABIP decline.

Addison Reed – The serenity to accept a move back to a set-up role, when Familia returns from a likely MLB suspension.

Jose Reyes – For his manager not to fall in love with him and throw him out there for 150 starts.

Rene Rivera – More balls in the air. He went from a FB% of 44.9 in 2015 to 31.6 last year. It’s tough to homer on ground balls and we know he’s not beating out many of those grounders for hits.

Hansel Robles – A return to his 2015 WHIP. It’s tough to thrive with a 4.17 BB/9.

Noah Syndergaard – To match Bumgarner’s MLB-leading 97 PA and grab the pitcher HR title outright.

Neil Walker – Not to miss any games against the D’Backs or Reds, against whom he went 13-28 with 4 HR in 7 games last year.

David Wright – An old age where his life is more like a guy who played baseball rather than football.

*****

Sandy Alderson – The good sense to never again pick up someone’s option or tender a contract when the sole intent is to trade the player.

Terry Collins – A bench coach who can keep him from being exposed so much for concentrating on unimportant things.

*****

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of the readers here at Mets360! I’m very happy that you come to our site on a daily basis. And I’d like to give an extra special thanks to loyal readers like Eraff, TexasGusCC, DED, Metsense, Name, Chris F., Jimmy P, NormE, Pete, Peter F. Hyatt, Aging Bull, Meticated, Hobie, metphin, Chris B and Barry, whose contributions add to the site and make us all better writers. And finally, thanks to all of the writers at the site. May you have a wondrous holiday season.