The New York Mets are shaping up as candidates to advance to the postseason in 2020. They have a talented roster and a desire to win.
However, there are still remaining questions that need to be answered.
Five unanswered questions for the Mets
Will the infield defense improve?
The New York Mets were among the worst teams in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) in 2019 with -93. As John Fennelly pointed out, the infield defense will be crucial given that the rotation is full of groundball-heavy hurlers.
Robinson Cano needs to improve his range but at this point in his career, it is far from a given. If possible, J.D Davis (-6.1 UZR/150, -1.6 UZR, -9 DRS) should stay away from third base. Jeff McNeil did well out there in limited reps. Amed Rosario needs to keep improving in shortstop, as he has.
What Will Pete Alonso do in his sophomore season?
Pete Alonso hit 53 home runs in 2019, with a 143 wRC+. He was an offensive force and the most dangerous hitter in a formidable lineup. But is he capable of doing it again?
The Mets have Michael Conforto, Robinson Cano, Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, Dominic Smith, Brandon Nimmo, Wilson Ramos, and other good performers with the bat. But make no mistake: this offense will go as far as Alonso carries it.
Who will emerge in the back of the rotation?
The Mets‘ top of the rotation is set with Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman. The Mets have Steven Matz, and signed Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello.
The first three names are already set in stone. But who will occupy the last two spots of the rotation? Matz, Wacha and Porcello will battle it out in Spring Training but despite their talents, one of them will be left out.
What will the team do with J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith?
Davis had a .307/.369/.527 line with 22 home runs and a 136 wRC+. Dominic Smith hit .282/.355/.525 with a 133 wRC+. Both are talented at the dish but limited with the glove. Because of that, it is more difficult to find a spot for them day in and day out.
Davis could be “hidden†in left field and Smith is adequate at first base, his natural position. One of the two, however, is likely to switch teams at some point. There is simply no room for every player in the Mets’ roster. The team has Nimmo, Cespedes, Conforto, and Jake Marisnick in the outfield, plus McNeil and Alonso in the infield corners.
Will Edwin Diaz improve?
The Puerto Rican closer had a 5.59 ERA (4.51 FIP) and blew save after save in 2018. The Mets invested lots of resources in him, so they are hoping for a turnaround.
After all, Diaz still struck out lots of batters (15.36 K/9) and had an historic 2018 (1.96 ERA.)