With the addition of Dellin Betances, most of the offseason work is already done. However, that doesn’t mean that the New York Mets aren’t going to make more moves. It’s just that the foundation of the team is already in place.
If the Mets don’t bring anyone to play center field regularly, or trade J.D. Davis, the lineup looks set. Jake Marisnick, acquired via trade this offseason, will play plenty as the superior glove and bat versus lefties. However, Brandon Nimmo will man the position most nights.
Everything may change if Yoenis Cespedes is healthy enough to play come Spring Training. For now, the Mets’ lineup looks something like this (with projected 2020 wRC+ according to Steamer):
New York Mets’ projected lineup:
- B Nimmo (L) LF – 107 wRC+
- J McNeil (L) 3B – 115 wRC+
- P Alonso (R) 1B – 127 wRC+
- M Conforto (L) RF – 123 wRC+
- J Davis (R) LF – 109 wRC+
- R Canó (L) 2B – 104 wRC+
- W Ramos (R) C – 106 wRC+
- A Rosario (R) SS – 96 wRC+
- Pitcher
It is unclear which batting order Carlos Beltran, the new manager, will use. However, this seems to be an adequate lineup for the Mets. As you can see, seven of the eight positions project to be above-average, and Rosario is only slightly below-average.
We know, however, that almost all of the names written above have upside for more. McNeil and Alonso just put 143 wRC+ seasons, and Rosario made strides in the second half. Cano has been a star before, and Conforto can approach 130 wRC+. Ramos, Nimmo, and Davis can also beat their projections.
Let’s see the rest of the National League East (defensive alignments, not projected lineups):
Atlanta Braves:
- T D’Arnaud C – 94 wRC+
- F Freeman 1B – 135 wRC+
- O Albies 2B – 113 wRC+
- A Riley 3B – 98 wRC+
- D Swanson SS – 90 wRC+
- N Markakis LF – 105 wRC+
- E Inciarte CF – 87 wRC+
- R Acuña RF – 127 wRC+
Washington Nationals
- K Suzuki C – 100 wRC+
- H Kendrick 1B – 118 wRC+
- C Kieboom 2B – 95 wRC+
- T Turner SS – 111 wRC+
- W Difo 3B – 71 wRC+
- J Soto LF – 145 wRC+
- V Robles CF – 92 wRC+
- A Eaton RF – 109 wRC+
Philadelphia Phillies
- JT Realmuto C – 106 wRC+
- R Hoskins 1B – 122 wRC+
- J Segura 2B – 99 wRC+
- D Gregorius SS – 93 wRC+
- S Kingery 3B – 78 wRC+
- A McCutchen LF – 116 wRC+
- A Haseley CF – 85 wRC+
- B Harper RF – 134 wRC+
Miami Marlins
- J Alfaro C – 82 wRC+
- J Aguilar 1B – 103 wRC+
- I Diaz 2B – 89 wRC+
- M Rojas SS – 90 wRC+
- J Villar 3B – 96 wRC+
- C Dickerson LF – 102 wRC+
- L Brinson CF – 69 wRC+
- B Anderson RF – 105 wRC+
While the division has some top players and other that are clearly above-average, Beltran’s team seems to have the deepest and strongest lineup. Of course, they are just projections, but it is an encouraging development for the playoff-hungry New York Mets.