New York Mets Spring Training Preview 2014
Biggest Offseason Additions:
Curtis Granderson: The New York Mets needed an outfielder in a bad way this offseason and they grabbed the most lethal one on the market. Granderson was signed to a four-year deal worth $60 million. He is coming off a 2013 which had him play in only 60 games. Let’s just say that his arms really failed him last year. First a broken right forearm, than a broken knuckle on his left hand. This shouldn’t worry Mets fans though. He is going to be healthy and a healthy Granderson can stroke it. In 2012 he hit 43 homers to go with 106 RBIs. His 2011 was equally impressive as he hit 41 dingers and drove in 119. He’s going to be back to form this year and will be a nice bodyguard for David Wright as Granderson will likely be hitting in the four spot. Mets fans and fantasy owners should be excited about this fit.
Bartolo Colon: The Mets went and signed the 40 year-old veteran to a two-year contract. He is being thrown into a rotation that has been punched in the gut by the news of Matt Harvey’s injury. Colon is a shimmer of hope if his numbers are anything like last year. In 2013 he recorded an ERA of 2.65 over 190 innings pitched! He won 18 games and struck out 117 men. We all know that he had a certain “boost” at times in his career but he is looking better than ever. His veteran presence will help this young ball club and he will eat up the innings.
Biggest Offseason Losses
Matt Harvey: The next time you see Harvey pitch will be in a Mets jersey unfortunately for Mets fans and fantasy owners that will not be until 2015. Harvey underwent Tommy John surgery and will be missing the entire 2014 season. This is by far the most devastating thing that could have happened to the Mets franchise. In 26 starts he recorded an ERA of 2.27 while striking out 191 batters over 178.1 innings pitched and that was at the age of 24! The good thing here is that he will be ready to pitch next season so the Mets will only have to go through one year with Harvey.
Name to Watch in Spring Training: Jack Leathersich
Here we have a left-handed pitcher who was drafted by the Mets in the 2011 draft. He has yet to see big league work but did pitch for the Mets Double and Triple-A teams. He had an okay year but could not control where he put the ball. Once he gets control of his pitches he could be a very big name to add to their bullpen. In 2013 he struck out 14.6 batters for every nine innings he pitched. He has pitched great against right-handers but that is to be expected. Don’t forget about this guy come March and see what he can do. My guess is that he makes the team.
Biggest Spring Training Battle: Ike Davis versus Lucas Duda
As of right not Ike Davis is a member of the New York Mets. The only question that remains is whether or not he will be a Met come April. For now we are going to assume he is and that would mean that Davis and Duda would be the biggest spring training battle come March. Davis had a horrible 2013 and Mets organization let the public know by saying they were going to trade him. The only problem with that is that they didn’t trade him and now things are a bit awkward in New York. How can you blame the Mets though? Davis batted .205, hit nine home runs and had only 33 RBIs. For a guy who was teeing off on everyone in 2012 you would expect better numbers. Either way he is still in New York and he is going to have to fight for a spot against Duda. Duda isn’t exactly the answer to the Mets problems either as his .223 batting average is nothing to be impressed about. Duda may have a bit more power than Davis though as he hit 15 homers last year but also ended the year will only 33 RBIs. This may be a position battle but not an intriguing one.
What went Right in 2013:
Not many things went right for the Mets in the 2013 season. Like I said before, Harvey was about the only thing that this team could brag about. That and David Wright getting hurt at the drop of a hat. Other things that the Mets did well in 2013 was their starting pitching. Jonathon Niese had a decent year as he recorded an ERA of 3.71. The only thing the Mets can now ask of Niese is to be more consistent. Other starting pitchers that proved they had what it takes are Zack Wheeler and rookie Jenrry Mejia. This pitching staff is not as bad as some people think. The Mets could be a real threat to the Nationals and Braves sooner than most people think.