The Mets currently sit at 40-38, good for second in the NL East, and despite the rash of injuries (they've missed the second most games through injury) this season, they're having one of their most successful years in nearly a decade. Steven Matz's call-up last week cemented the final prong in what should be one of the best rotations in baseball. Still, there have been a number of speed bumps this season, and it would be imprudent to assume that they could win the division with a loaded Nationals team in front of them and heating up at the right time. Given GM Sandy Alderson's unwillingness to make a move - and the expensive and limited trade market - it seems unlikely for the Mets to upgrade this season with a position player or two. Still, their starting pitching will keep them competitive, or at least for now.
Here's a look at the Mets' present and future, with a breakdown at each position:
Stats through June 30, 2015.
LEFT FIELD:
The Starter
Michael Cuddyer
Age: 36
Career slash line: .277/.344/.461
2015 slash line: .243/.297/.365
The Breakdown:
Cuddyer was considered the team’s biggest offseason acquisition last winter when they surrendered the 15th overall pick in the draft and signed him to a two-year, $21 million deal. He turned down a $15.3 million qualifying offer from the Colorado Rockies, one season after batting .332 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in just 49 games. There were serious concerns about his health coming into this season, but that hasn’t really been the most pressing issue. Cuddyer started off this season with promise, with a line of .273/.332/.418 through June 6, but has been absolutely horrible since (he’s just 8-for-his-last-73). There have also been a couple of questions about Cuddyer’s defense, which has never been all that solid, and it was heavily on display last week when he cost the Mets a run (and eventually the game) by misplaying a double off the wall. However, the good news is that Cuddyer is still capable of producing power once in a while, and while he is playing at a low level right now, it’s realistic to see him breaking out of his slump soon. Also, he was signed with the intention of being a short-term solution (as evident by his two-year deal) and should not be considered the future left fielder. The Mets have a bevy of prospects in the farm system who will eventually be able to produce at a higher level. For now, though, Cuddyer is the starting left fielder and is currently a weakness in the lineup and on the field. His sore knee yesterday provided some concern, but it appears he'll only miss a game or two and will avoid the DL. We’ll see if he can turn around his season.
The Backup:
John Mayberry Jr.
Age: 31
Career slash line: .245/.299/.368
2015 slash line: .185/.250/.358
The Breakdown:
I’m not going to spend too much time on Mayberry here, mostly because he rarely plays. When he does, however, it hasn’t necessarily been all that impressive. The veteran was brought in to hit lefties, but hasn’t done much hitting at all, batting at a clip of just .185 with three homers and nine RBIs. Of course, most of his time is simply necessary when Cuddyer gets a day off or someone is hurt, but he really isn’t a focus of the franchise. He has been disappointing, but realistically, he’s not someone who the franchise will rely on.
The Future
Michael Conforto
Age: 22
Career slash line (minors): .309/.384/.468
2015 slash line (Single-A and Double-A): .296/.373/.479
The Breakdown:
For everyone who is clamoring for Conforto to be called up to the majors this season - forget it. He won’t be called up until - at the very earliest - a few weeks into the 2016 season. The 2014 first-round pick absolutely dominated the New York Penn League with Brooklyn last season, hitting .331 with 19 RBIs in just 163 at-bats. He is considered the best hitting prospect in the Mets’ farm system and was recently called up for the futures All-Star Game this month. He is currently in a bit of a slump with Binghampton right now, but that’s hardly an area of concern - even after an 0-for-27 stint, Conforto is still batting .320. He was called up quickly to Double-A this season, and has only shown more development since. He won’t be part of the September big league call-ups, but there’s reason to believe that he has a shot at getting promoted to Las Vegas if Binghampton doesn’t make the playoffs. The more exposure, the better, after all. Expect Conforto to get called up during 2016, and if his minor league stats are any indication, he will continue to rake at the next level as well.
CENTER FIELD:
The Starter
Juan Lagares
Age: 26
Career slash line: .261/.297/.360
2015 slash line: .256/.283/.338
The Breakdown:
The acrobatic Lagares, who won a Gold Glove in 2014, has been off his game this season, or at least compared to his usual stats (he finished last season with 28 defensive runs saved, which was good for second in the league behind Jason Heyward). His DRS this year has been hovering around -1, and his usually laser-like arm has been off-target several times over the course of the season. Lagares certainly has made some highlight-reel catches this season and still maintains his position as a top-tier defensive outfielder, but there’s no question that there’s been a drop off. His elbow, which remains a growing concern after being shut down in September last year, likely is in need of Tommy John surgery, although that’s not something that the Mets will consider given his position. He can still make throws - he just has to be cautious of the damage it can cause him. All things considered, Lagares’ weakness is not necessarily on the defensive side of the ball; it seems likely that he is simply getting over a rib injury he suffered earlier this season. However, it is worrisome that he has been wildly inconsistent as a hitter this season, starting out the season red-hot, including a ten-game hitting streak, before falling into a slump, heating up again in early June, and then once again dropping his average down to .256. He was never projected to be a standout hitter, but there was a hope for improvement - Lagares has leadoff speed and would be a dangerous leadoff hitter if he learned to hold back on pitches outside of the zone. If Lagares can put his defensive woes behind him and figure out his offense, he will be one of the best center fielders in the game. But the second half of that is a major if.
The Backup:
Darrell Ceciliani
Age: 25
Career slash line: .228/.302/.316
2015 slash line: .228/.302/.316
The Breakdown:
Ceciliani has been a pleasant surprise this season, as he struggled to make an impact after he was called up, but put together a nice stretch in mid-June to bring his average up. Ceciliani will hardly play, but will give Lagares or Cuddyer a rest once in a while and can provide solid defense and some pop. He’s only had about 60 plate appearances this season, but he has provided some runs in clutch moments (see: home run vs. Braves in comeback) and is capable of making plays in the outfield. He’s not expected to be the future at the position, but that’s OK. Lagares is still just 26 years old and will likely be the Mets’ starter for a while. It’s nice to have someone like Ceciliani who can step up and deliver once in a while, but he’s really more of an insurance policy at this point.
The Future:
The future of the center field position will lie in Lagares’ hands for a while, unless he suffers a devastating injury or ends up getting traded. He is incredibly talented in the field and is still young - he is expected to grow at the plate and will likely round out as an above-average center fielder regardless, simply due to his sheer defensive prowess. This is not a position of concern, and even if it is, the Mets have plenty of outfielders in the minors who will eventually be able to produce. Out of the three outfield positions, this is least currently vulnerable spot.
RIGHT FIELD:
The Starter:
Curtis Granderson
Age: 34
Career slash line: .257/.339/.475
2015 slash line: .255/.353/.439
The Breakdown:
If this was two months ago, I would most likely argue that Granderson’s four-year, $60 million contract signed in the winter of 2013 was a major mistake and that he was clogging up a position and costing the team runs. Luckily, Granderson has been on a tear as of late, and has been having one of his best seasons as a Met. He’s coming off an eight-game hitting streak and had five home runs during that stretch. He really shouldn’t be batting leadoff, especially given the fact that he’s been hitting with power over the past several weeks, but it’s difficult to find an alternative when the rest of the team is struggling to put together hits. Granderson has been the lone bright spot offensively this summer for a team that’s been decimated by injury and is getting on base at a clip of .353. He’s drawn 41 walks this season. As for his defense: it’s not quite as commendable. Granderson has registered four errors, but that’s not indicative of the number of runs he’s cost the team by missing catchable balls that have not been registered as errors. He’s been a liability in the outfield recently, especially since elbow issues surfaced a couple of years ago, but his bat is currently compromising the situation. Let’s hope it stays that way.
The Backup:
John Mayberry Jr.
Age: 31
Career slash line: .185/.250/.358
2015 slash line: .245/.299/.368
Mayberry technically backs up Granderson, too, but he’s not worth analyzing due to the fact that he rarely plays and he rotates between the outfield positions as it is. He isn’t part of the Mets’ long-term plans, either.
The Future
Brandon Nimmo
Age: 22
Career slash line (minors): .270/.383/.396
2015 slash line (Single-A and Double-A): .284/.357/.391
The Breakdown:
Nimmo was the Mets’ 2011 first-round pick and can play all three outfield positions. However, right field is probably where he’ll end up when he gets called up. Nimmo was originally perceived as more of a project when he was first drafted, but has developed quite nicely through the system despite facing injuries and coming from a high school that had no baseball team. He was promoted to Binghampton when he was just 21, which is well below the league-average, and has shown a natural tendency to hit. He’s batting .298 (his overall average is discounted by his rehab with St. Lucie) and has really heated up since returning from a sprained ACL. Nimmo is the other star outfielding prospect alongside Conforto who will be representing the Mets in the Futures All-Star Game. He is expected to be called up either late next season or by the 2017 season, and should replace Granderson by the time he’s done. As for now, however, given Granderson’s ability and Nimmo’s raw talent, there should be no hurry to rush Nimmo through the system. He is still very much developing and needs everyday ABs before he’ll be ready for the next level. Still, he is one of the top prospects in the Mets’ farm system and will likely shine in the bigs when he’s called up.
THIRD BASE:
The Starter (on the DL):
David Wright*
Age: 32
Career slash line: .298/.377/.494
2015 slash line (eight games): .333/.371/.424
The Breakdown:
In his prime, Wright was easily a top ten player in baseball, a five-tool All-Star who could hit for power, make standout plays in the field and steal bases at ease. He was the face of the franchise and was a major reason why the Mets were just one curveball away from making the World Series in 2006. Since getting called up midway through the 2004 season, Wright has produced seven seasons with a .302 or higher (not including his rookie season when he hit .293 or this season’s eight games). His best season, 2007, showcases what Wright was truly capable of when healthy and in tip-top physical condition: .325/.416/.546, slugging 30 home runs, driving in 107 runs and stealing a total of 34 bases. He could do it all, and he could do it well. But it’s no longer 2007. Wright is not healthy, and he will probably never produce at the same clip again. He did bat .307 as recently as 2013, but sat out 50 games that season and struggled to stay healthy. Clearly, the biggest concerns are his age and health. Wright is 32 and at the end of his prime, and what appeared to be a bad hamstring injury has turned into spinal stenosis, which could potentially keep Wright out for the remainder of the season and hinder him for the rest of his career (although he is under contract until 2020, so it doesn’t matter). Wright still has the capability to be productive as a third baseman and is working with a specialist in Los Angeles now in order to return. We’ll see how it goes, but as far as it goes when Wright is healthy - even with a damaged back, Wright is more effective than Eric Campbell. He’ll be a part of the team’s plans for several more years.
The Backup (now the starter):
Daniel Murphy (plays 2B when Wright is healthy)
Age: 30
Career slash line: .289/.333/.419
2015 slash line: .282/.333/.416
The Breakdown:
Murphy has been with the Mets his entire career, and has played a number of positions, including the corner outfield positions and each of the infield positions save for shortstop. He has, however, played second base heavily over the past couple of years with Wright manning third base. Murphy is an excellent contact hitter and can provide consistent doubles, along with the occasional homer. He started out this season batting 7-for-50, but has rebounded to bring his average up to .282. Until suffering a quadriceps strain in early June, Murphy was in the process of putting together a pretty productive season. He returned yesterday after a stint on the 15-Day DL and a rehab assignment with St. Lucie, hitting a double in the fourth inning for one of the Mets' three hits. Murphy is a rare consistent bat in the lineup, knocking in 29 runs this season despite being out for two weeks, and has been reliable during his time with the franchise. But Murphy will not be back next season - his contract is expiring and the Mets do not intend to keep him with highly-rated prospect Dilson Herrera chomping at the bit. It’s also worth noting that Murphy has never been a standout defensive player and has cost the Mets at times this year (though less so than other players). He will surely find success on another team in the league, but his main focus is closing out this season and helping the Mets contend for the playoffs.
The Future:
David Wright
Age: 32
Career slash line: .298/.377/.494
2015 slash line (eight games): .333/.371/.424
The Breakdown:
We’ll see how this turns out. It really depends on how healthy Wright will actually be throughout the course of career and if he is, how effective he’ll be. If not, there are a couple of prospects waiting in the wings. Matt Reynolds (.280/.347/.395 in the minors), who played third base at Arkansas but has exclusively played shortstop since getting drafted, could potentially convert. He currently sits at Triple-A Las Vegas. Jhoan Urena, a 20-year-old switch-hitter from the Dominican Republic who likely wouldn’t get promoted until 2018 at the earliest, is a long-term option, but less promising. It’s possible that if Wright struggles to stay on the field and remain productive that the Mets could look to acquire someone through free agency or draft a big-time prospect. For the meantime, however, Murphy is the third baseman, and Wright’s job will be his when he returns.
SHORTSTOP
The Starter:
Ruben Tejada
Age: 25
Career slash line: .252/.327/.320
2015 slash line: .236/.319/.347
The Breakdown:
I’m trying to think of a nice way to put this, but it’s difficult: the shortstop position has been an absolute disaster since Jose Reyes left for Miami after 2011. Tejada had a decent season offensively following Reyes’ departure, but has failed to one, remain consistent, and two, be a reliable defender. It’s obvious that this has been a dire need for the Mets, and they desperately need a shortstop who can play on both sides of the ball. There were talks about Troy Tulowitzki coming to New York in a major trade, but that trade would likely require too much from the Mets’ side, and seems unlikely as it is. Tejada is decent, but he’s not a good enough hitter, and certainly not a good enough defender to ever be considered a long-term solution to the shortstop issue. Wilmer Flores started out the season at shortstop and did provide a decent amount of power, but he has since cooled off and not provided anywhere near the level of offensive production that the Mets need from that position. That’s also disregarding the fact that Flores was horrendous at times during the season and may have very well cost the team several games with defensive lapses. Tejada will have to do for the time being, but if the Mets ever want to contend, they’re going to have to find an upgrade at shortstop. Michael Baron put it nicely last night: Tejada, after a hot start, has come crashing back down to earth.
The Backup:
Wilmer Flores
Age: 23
Career slash line: .238/.272/.370
2015 slash line: .236/.267/.390
The Breakdown:
Flores, who is now the everyday second baseman after a lengthy experiment at shortstop, has provided the Mets with some offense in spurts, but for the most part, has been more costly on the field. He has a big body and provides power (he has ten home runs this season), along with knocking in 33 runs, but he clearly lacks the ability and talent to ever be a major league shortstop and is probably much more suited for second base. To be fair to Flores, it’s not really his fault. The front office decided to experiment with him at shortstop, and regardless of the defensive improvement he’s made, he’s struggled to hit consistently and simply does not have good range or ability. That being said, there’ll be more on his current position at second base.
The Future:
Matt Reynolds/Gavin Cecchini
Ages: 24 (Reynolds) and 21 (Cecchini)
Career slash lines (in minors): .280/.347/.395 (Reynolds) and .258/.324/.365 (Cecchini)
2015 slash lines (Triple-A and Double-A): .270/.327/.402 (Reynolds) and .280/.335/.416
The Breakdown:
Reynolds, a second-round draft pick out of Arkansas in 2012, played third base in college, but has been groomed as a shortstop in the minor league system with the Mets. There isn’t flash to his game, ala Jose Reyes or Brandon Phillips, but Reynolds is - simply put - a solid infielder. He has made nine errors in 57 games at shortstop this season, but it’s hard to gage how much worse that would be than someone like Wilmer Flores, who has 10 errors in 67 games at the next level (this excludes the several hard-hit balls that he’s bobbled and the routine plays that he’s botched). Of course, I haven’t seen Reynolds play all that much with Las Vegas, but scouts admire his fundamentals and ability to make plays. At this point in the season, it’s a little surprising that Reynolds hasn’t been called up, especially given Flores’ and Tejada’s struggles, but he has been streaky in the Pacific Coast League and it’s possible that he’s not ready for the big leagues yet. Either way, sources have reported that he’ll be first called up if “Ruben Tejada is a shortstop 3.0” fails. Cecchini, the Mets’ 2012 first-rounder, was drafted in the same class as Addison Russell and Corey Seager and was considered a semi-bust for most of his early career. To be fair, he dealt with a rash of injuries that interrupted his development. Since then, however, Cecchini has added some muscle to his frame, and although he may never be a power-hitting shortstop like Troy Tulowitzki, he does have the ability to hit for extra bases. To add to his stock, Cecchini has great instincts for a shortstop, solid range and a strong enough arm to succeed at the position in the majors. However, he may not even be the answer.
If the Mets trade for a veteran or plug in Reynolds or Cecchini, it probably will be temporary. They really have struggled to find a replacement for Jose Reyes and it’s obvious that Tejada or Flores aren’t the answers. They have nothing to lose by calling up Reynolds based on the way the current middle infielders are playing now. Still, there is another shortstop prospect who may be better than both: Amed Rosario, a 6’2”, 170-pounder from the Dominican Republic, has shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the Mets. He possesses high bat speed, tooled with the physical tools that he has to become a future MLB shortstop and compete at an “All-Star” level, something that ESPN’s Keith Law predicted. He’s still in Single-A, and his numbers aren’t overwhelming, but Rosario is just 19 years old and is batting .260/.303/.358. The development will come, scouts say, and though he’s a ways away, expect to see him on the roster in a few years.
SECOND BASE:
The Starter:
Wilmer Flores
Age: 23
Career slash line: .238/.272/.370
2015 slash line: .236/.267/.390
The Breakdown:
I already talked about Wilmer Flores the shortstop. Now, it’s time to talk about him as a second baseman. Flores has and never will possess the athleticism or range to become a successful shortstop in the MLB, but that’s unfair to him - he really is more of a second or third baseman who can hit with a little bit of pop. Flores, despite his struggles this year both at the plate and on the field, has hit 10 homers, and still provides some spark with timely hits. Obviously, he’s not the answer at second base, but he will do less damage in the field, and is someone who can be temporarily plugged in until the Mets feel that Dilson Herrera is everyday ready for second base. Flores is easy to blame, but he’s really all that Terry Collins has right now unless the front office wants to make a move.
The Backup and The Future:
Dilson Herrera
Age: 21
Career slash line: .206/.296/.355
2015 slash line: .195/.290/.317
The Breakdown:
Don’t judge Herrera by those stats - they are incredibly misleading. Herrera was called up last season and impressed with his ability to hit, and hit for power, too (he had five home runs in his first 32 games). He did struggle this year after being pressed into a starting role through Daniel Murphy’s injury, but he also showed off his glove with a couple of brilliant plays in the field and showed off his fluid swing (which still needs some work). He was demoted the earlier this week after Murphy returned from the DL and will spend some time down in Triple-A working out the kinks. It’s hard to remember that Herrera is only 21 years old and is still learning how to put together all of the skills that he possesses. He is still a very, very raw talent, and despite the fact that he has absolutely raked at the minor league level (.302/.367/.464), he still needs a heavy dosage of everyday at-bats in order to level out his swing. Herrera does have a natural swing and the ability to hit to all fields with hard contact, but he also is capable of hitting for power with his small frame and has proven that at all levels. He is a great athlete, too, which will only help his ability in the field - while he has shown off his glove, there have also been tendencies to botch routine plays, which is something that will likely come with time. ESPN’s Buster Olney thinks that Herrera will be an All-Star just three years into his career, something that is not considered all that unlikely.
FIRST BASE:
The Starter:
Lucas Duda
Age: 29
Career slash line: .250/.347/.443
2015 slash line: .260/.366/.446
The Breakdown:
Duda has been in a huge slump as of late, and the Mets desperately need him to return to his early-season form, when he was batting at a clip of .305/.400/.539 in late May, in order to have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs. Duda has maintained his solid defense, and has become one of the better defensive first basemen in the league, but after a promising start offensively, he’s fallen off a cliff, his numbers dropping all the way to a measly .260 batting average. It’s not as though these are horrendous stats, but considering Duda’s breakout season last year (30 HRs, 92 RBIs) and his scorching hot start, it appeared as though he were on track to blossom into one of the game’s best young hitters. Instead, he’s taken two steps back and slumped through a miserable June. There’s still plenty of season left, and Duda has time to turn things around, but he has been swinging on a lot of pitches outside of the zone and it is a little worrisome as to how things will start trending positively. He didn’t sign a contract extension last offseason, so his future isn’t exactly set in stone, but he is expected to be a part of the Mets for a while, and a big bat in the middle of the lineup as well.
The Backup:
Duda really is an everyday first baseman and hardly misses any games due to injury, so Michael Cuddyer is only expected to step in when he needs a rest or deals with a brief spell of injury (like a bruised kneecap suffered early in the season). For the most part, however, Duda is expected to play a vast majority of the season at the position.
The Future:
Dominic Smith
Age: 20
Career slash line (in minors): .285/.355/.381
2015 slash line (in minors): .299/.343/.417
The Breakdown:
Smith is the Mets’ 2013 first-round pick, considered one of the most promising young prospects in the organization with a natural lefty stroke and a solid first baseman. He was thrown into the fire after being drafted, going straight to Single-A in Savannah and playing an entire season there. While Smith did struggle to start the season as an 18-year-old, he finished with a line of .271/.344/.338 and started this season with St. Lucie. After another slow start, Smith has raked, raising his average above .300 and warranting enough attention to possibly get a late-season promotion to Double-A. Some were worried about his power, as he only hit one homer last year and has just one this year, but scouts say that Smith is still fairly raw and the power will come as his frame fills out and he develops a more natural swing. He’s incredibly talented but also just 20 years old, and it would be imprudent to expect a promotion any time soon - like Rosario, it will likely be until the late-2017 or early-2018 seasons before getting any major league action.
CATCHER:
The Starter:
Travis d’Arnaud*
Age: 26
Career slash line: .231/.304/.404
2015 slash line: .296/.338/.535
The Breakdown:
I’m penciling in d’Arnaud here only because his injuries are not quite as severe, and he’s shown enough promise to warrant the starting catching position. Regardless, d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard are making the 2012 R.A. Dickey trade look extremely smart on the Mets’ part. Although d’Arnaud is now on the 15-Day DL for the second time this season with a sprained elbow - he suffered a broken pinky in April that kept him out for nearly two months - he has proven himself to be the Mets’ best hitter when healthy and the team is clearly different without him in the lineup. After being sent back down to Triple-A last season, d’Arnaud came back and appeared to figure things out. He came to Spring Training this season with a different mindset, and came out swinging this season, batting .317 and leading the team in RBIs before being sent to the DL with the pinky. He returned in early June against the Giants and continued a strong start, collecting hits in each of his first four games back, as well as homering twice, but again got hurt on a collision in front of home plate. There’s very little doubt that d’Arnaud is a valuable piece of the Mets’ lineup, but it’s only possible for him to contribute when he’s healthy, and he’s obviously had issues with staying on the field. Looking forward, it’s not impossible to consider him being shifted to the outfield, but he is a good defensive catcher and his bat is sorely needed in the lineup. The Mets won’t be able to contend for a playoff spot unless he’s on the field, and he has proven his value in a streaky season. I imagine he’ll remain with the team for quite some time - regardless of Kevin Plawecki’s development - simply because he is a better hitter and has more upside.
The Backup:
Kevin Plawecki
Age: 24
Career slash line: .228/.277/.309
2015 slash line: .228/.277/.309
The Breakdown:
Plawecki was only called up this season because of d’Arnaud’s pinky injury, and given the fact that he is still fairly new to the system, he performed admirably under the circumstances. Plawecki will never be a huge power guy in the bigs, but he does have a good contact swing and can probably maintain a pretty consistent average once he gets into a routine. He remains a highly-touted prospect, and while he hasn’t necessarily impressed anyone at the plate this season, he has shown promise and has been good defensively. He has a large frame and appears a little immobile when it comes to blocking, but he has exceeded expectations in that regard this season. His arm also isn’t all that impressive, but he can keep runners in check and throw out an opponent once in a while. Plawecki also doesn’t necessarily strike out much (although he has been K’d more than 30 times this season), but he is known for his ability to get on-base. Plawecki will obviously never be a Joe Mauer type, but he does have the ability to bat around .270 to .280 and maybe hit around 10 to 15 homers each season. He likely won’t be moved any time soon simply because of d’Arnaud’s injury history and the fact that he is a competent backup. Expect to see some improvement in the future.
The Future:
The future of this position is solely dependent on Travis d’Arnaud’s health. When healthy, there’s no doubt that d’Arnaud is the better player - he can hit for power, he’s better defensively and he has a much stronger arm. However, he doesn’t stay on the field for extended periods of time, and that is major concern moving forward. He is a prized prospect and the Mets value his bat, so if the injuries continue (since most have occurred on the field with contact injuries) it’s possible that he might be shifted to the outfield. That seems unlikely, however, and if he manages to stay on the field in the future, expect to see him on the field and Plawecki on the bench or traded to another team.
THE ROTATION:
The Starters Who Aren’t Part Of The Future:
Jon Niese
Career Stats:
W-L: 55-59
ERA: 3.87
BAA: .272
BAA: .272
2015 Stats:
W-L: 3-8
ERA: 3.90
BAA: .287
It’s really hard to say exactly what Jon Niese is at this point, because he started out the season hot, finishing April with an ERA of 1.95, had a horrendous month of May, and then has returned and put five quality starts on the table in June. Unfortunately, last month was plagued by the Mets’ offense, and Niese was unable to reap the benefits - he posted a 3.00 ERA for the month, but has been winless in his last nine starts, including going seven innings yesterday and allowing one run. The Mets, unfortunately, scored none, and Niese received a loss. This is really just inexcusable - if a pitcher, and your worst one nonetheless - holds the Cubs to just one run, you simply have to put runs on the board to help him out. It really is a shame for Niese, who has had a decent run as a Met, to pitch well and not benefit, but he might be helping his trade value in the future (the team already has four talented, young pitchers who are capable of dominance). The Cubs and Dodgers have shown interest, according to Ken Rosenthal. It’ll be interesting to see if the Mets can help Niese out and maybe get him to a team where he can benefit from run support should they want to focus on their young core of pitching.
Bartolo Colon
Career Stats:
W-L: 213-147
ERA: 3.98
BAA: .263
2015 Stats:
W-L: 9-6
ERA: 4.89
BAA: .282
In 2005, when Colon won the AL Cy Young and won 21 games, he was at his prime. He has had a number of impressive seasons in the past, but when he signed with the Mets two years ago, he obviously wasn’t expected to be an ace. Colon started out this season looking excellent, but he has clearly faltered down the stretch and it really does appear as though his days are numbered. He hasn’t had a quality start in a while, and although he does have nine wins this season, some of them have come from an explosion of Mets offense. He is 42, after all, and it would be imprudent to expect a high-quality season from the 5’11”, 285-pound veteran. He has had his good days, but it appears as though they might be over. It’s time to move Colon and his plus-four (nearly five) ERA. As loveable as he is, he is hurting the team’s chances and is a liability on the mound every time he goes out - 87 percent of his pitches are fastballs, after all. He did perform well over the last two seasons, but his time has come, and perhaps the Mets need to consider other options (such as cutting down to a five-man rotation and shutting down Colon).
The Other Starters/The Future:
Matt Harvey
Career Stats:
W-L: 19-15
ERA: 2.59
BAA: .214
2015 Stats:
W-L: 7-5
ERA: 3.08
BAA: .230
The Breakdown:
The face of the Mets’ rotation is almost set in stone at this point in time, and it’s not really even a question who the league thinks of when the rotation comes up. Matt Harvey arrived like a thunderbolt in 2012, throwing seven scoreless innings and striking out 11 batters in his debut, and went on to absolutely dominate hitters until tearing his UCL in August 2013. He is a traditional power pitcher, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 225 pounds - most of which appears to be pure muscle. His nickname is The Dark Knight, and he effectively wore his title by posting a 2.27 ERA with 191 strikeouts in just 178.1 innings. He also started the 2013 All-Star Game - at Citi Field, a fairytale season, with the exception of the losing that went on in the franchise. The former first-round pick sat out the 2014 season after Tommy John surgery, but has come back this season and shown that his brilliance was no fluke. He sits pretty at 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA, but has received hardly any run support this season (or really, his entire career) and with the exception of two rocky starts, has completely dominated. There is no question that Harvey is still getting over the effects of surgery, but he seems to be fine, and will only improve as time heals his arm. His fastball still hums at 97 mph and he still has an extremely effective changeup and slider. He is still the ace, and although he has almost been overshadowed this season by another young gun in the rotation, will remain a key member of the rotation until 2017, when he will become a free agent and seems likely to leave.
Jacob deGrom
Career Stats
17-11
2.47
.220
2015 Stats
W-L: 8-5
ERA: 2.15
BAA: .208
The Breakdown:
If there was another pitcher on the team who is overshadowing Matt Harvey this season, it would have to be Jacob deGrom. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year has only gotten better in his sophomore campaign, going 8-5 with a 2.15 ERA and racking up 100 strikeouts. He has proven himself as the statistical ace, and has increased his velocity and added more control. The right-hander is classy, notably recognized for his hair, and frequently characterized by the hashtag #deGrominant after throwing a gem against another all-star lineup. Since getting shelled by Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs in May, deGrom has absolutely dominated, allowing just eight earned runs over his last eight starts to go with 63 strikeouts (this includes a masterful performance against a St. Louis offense in which he struck out 11 Cardinals and allowed just one hit. Certainly, deGrom has put himself into Cy Young consideration, and it would be shocking if he were not to make the All-Star Game. The only pitchers who have arguably had more successful seasons are Max Scherzer and Zack Grienke. No one, with the exception of Scherzer - who is pitching at a Godly level right now - has thrown as well as deGrom over the last month-and-a-half. And he’s doing it with a horrific defense.
Noah Syndergaard
Career Stats:
W-L: 3-4
ERA: 3.59
BAA: .263
2015 Stats:
W-L: 3-4
ERA: 3.59
BAA: .263
The Breakdown:
Enter #Thor, the 6-foot-6 man child who weighs 250 pounds and fires a 99-mph fastball. He’s only 22 years old, but he was called up in May and has shown flashes of brilliance that makes Mets fans believe he could one day be one of the best pitchers in baseball. He has developed his changeup quite nicely over the course of the season, and his curveball remains rather devastating. He has been slightly inconsistent, but he has shown improvement, and is coming off of a start against Cincinnati in which he threw 8 innings of one-run ball with 5 Ks and no walks. Oh, and he threw just 89 pitches. There is no doubt that there are still growing pains, but Syndergaard is still young, relatively fresh, and in extremely good condition. Expect him to come roaring back in 2016 with improved everything. Eventually, he will likely be expected to compete for the ace spot with Steven Matz.
Steven Matz
Career Stats:
W-L: 1-0
ERA: 2.35
BAA: .200
2015 Stats:
W-L: 1-0
ERA: 2.35
BAA: .200
The Breakdown:
It’s probably fair to say that Matz is still unproven, but last Sunday’s debut might be one of the greatest pitching debuts of ALL TIME. Matz went 7.2 innings, allowing just five hits and two runs, struck out six batters, and most impressively, went 3-for-3 at the plate with a two-run double and a total of four RBIs. He pitched at Citi Field, so the atmosphere was electric, and even though the Mets really need bats right now instead of another arm, Matz provided a much needed spark to the offense and becomes the final piece of Generation K 2.0 - I’m going to call it Generation W to avoid hearing that name again - to be called up to the bigs. He is a lefty with a humming fastball that sits around 94 to 96 mph, a devastating curveball and an effective changeup, too. He will likely be a dangerous member of the rotation for quite some time, and let’s hope that his grandpa sticks around, too - his celebrations were worth the wait. It’ll be interesting to see what he does on July 5 in the series finale vs. the Dodgers, and of course, for the rest of his career.
Next Year’s Future:
Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, Matz….
and Zack Wheeler
Career Stats:
W-L: 18-16
ERA: 3.50
BAA: .241
2014 Stats (out with injury this season):
W-L: 11-11
ERA: 3.54
BAA: .240
Wheeler’s UCL tear really put a damper on the 2015 season, mostly because he is the final piece of Generation W, and he would be a part of the rotation had he been able to stay healthy. The sixth overall pick in 2009 by the Giants, the Mets acquired him through the Carlos Beltran trade and groomed him to eventually be a dominant presence on the mound. Wheeler is 6’4”, a power pitcher like Harvey, and has a lean frame that can generate incredible arm speed. His fastball ranges from 95-100 mph, although this may change in the first steps back from Tommy John, and has terrific movement, paired with a curveball that some feel is the best in the organization. Wheeler was dominant at times during his first two years in the MLB, and most expected him to be a major part of the Mets competing for a Wild Card spot. He will still be effective post-surgery, but he won’t be back until next June at the earliest, and even then, it might take a while for him to regain original form (see: Harvey). However, when or if he does return, and if he is effective, Wheeler could cement what has the chance to be the best rotation in baseball.
THE BULLPEN:
The Breakdown:
I’m going to save the player-by-player breakdown here and simply summarize the bullpen. The Mets, despite injuries to Vic Black, Josh Edgin, Buddy Carlyle, Jerry Blevins, Erik Goeddel and an 80-game suspension for Jenrry Meija, have the fifth best bullpen in the league in terms of ERA at 2.81. Despite not really having a true lefty specialist since losing Blevins early in the season, Logan Verrett has been called up and has performed admirably; Sean Gilmartin, a Rule 5 exception, has pitched well, Bobby Parnell has shown promise in his return from Tommy John - he is still not near 100 percent yet; Hansel Robles has been impressive in spurts; and Jeurys Familia, the setup man-turned-closer, has absolutely dominated this season. Familia should be an All-Star this year, after posting a 1.23 ERA in 36.2 innings and collecting 21 saves in 23 opportunities (both saves that he’s blown did not result in losses, for anyone interested). He has tremendous velocity and can really be hard to hit when he’s on his game. Expect him to maintain the closing position for quite a while - he will be a force in the league and will compliment the starting rotation very nicely in the years to come. Carlos and Alex Torres, however, have been disasters since starting off the season decently well, and continue to be liabilities. Ultimately, the bullpen will improve as players return from injury and they have exceeded expectations this season.
Current Bullpen
RHP Logan Verrett (0-0, 1.35 ERA)
RHP Hansel Robles (1-2, 5.03 ERA)
Alex Torres (0-0, 2.54 ERA)
Carlos Torres (2-3, 4.11 ERA)
Sean Gilmartin (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
Bobby Parnell (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1/1 saves)
Jeurys Familia (2-0, 1.23 ERA, 21/23 saves)
Injured
Buddy Carlyle (back - 15-Day DL)
Jenrry Meija (suspension - will return July 7)
Erik Goeddel (elbow strain - 15-Day DL)
Rafael Montero (shoulder pain - 15-Day DL)
Jerry Blevins (broken forearm - 15-Day DL)
Josh Edgin (Tommy John surgery - out for season)
Vic Black (rehabbing in minors - return date yet TBD)
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