The New York Mets‘ spring training was abbreviated, but it was long enough to help us draw some conclusions towards the upcoming season. The only issue is that we don’t know when that season will start, because MLB postponed the beginning of the year by at least eight weeks to comply with the CDC recommendations amid the COVID-19 concerns.
Nevertheless, after watching the Mets play for a few weeks, MLB.com’s beat writer for the team Anthony DiComo arrived to a few conclusions:
Luis Rojas has all the makings of a great manager for the Mets
DiComo says that the newly-appointed boss will be all right in charge of the New York Mets. After all, he knows virtually all the players, their strengths, weaknesses and potential, because he worked with most of them during his multiple years in the organization.
“Few doubted that point coming into Spring Training, but it’s worth confirming after a month of camp. Players spoke positively of Rojas, who managed many of them in the Minor Leagues. Camp ran smoothly. The most significant question regarding Rojas heading into camp — his ability as a first-time manager to deal with the media — has been a non-issue,” he wrote.
The competition for the Mets’ fifth starter is very real
Three Mets are said to be competing for two spots in the rotation. Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman should be the top three members, and Rick Porcello, Steven Matz and Michael Wacha are vying for the rest of the places.
Since the New York Mets are paying Porcello $10 per season, it is widely assumed the he will be the fourth starter. That leaves Matz and Wacha to compete for the remaining place.
Both had a good spring: Wacha had a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 frames and Matz pitched six innings of a 1.50 ERA. The Mets will now have several weeks to figure out what to do.
Yoenis Cespedes can hit the crap out of a ball, but can he run and field?
Recovering from multiple heel and ankle surgeries, Cespedes is well on his way to return to the Mets at some point in 2020. The question is when. He showed during live batting practice that he can still rake, but he hasn’t advanced to running the bases at full speed and it remains to be seen whether he can field his position appropriately.
Jed Lowrie isn’t particularly close to returning to game action
Lowrie showed to camp with a large brace in his left knee. He practiced with it, but when asked when would he play games, he referred journalists to the team, prompting them to ask the question to the Mets.
Lowrie missed virtually all of 2019, and his 2020 isn’t going too well injury-wise. At least the extended season hiatus will give him time to heal.