We’re 2 days out from Opening Day, ladies and gentlemen! Continuing with our preview of the Nats’ NL East rivalry, we go to Queens and take a look at the Mets before the 2022 season.

Last Year’s Record: 77-85 (3rd in NL East)

In their first season under new owner Steve Cohen, the Mets looked to dominate the competition, return to the postseason, and take the crown of a competitive NL East. Instead, a series of injuries, disappointing performances, and the buffoonery that seems to innately plague the Mets regardless of the current owner destroyed a promising season.

Gearing up for another attempt at the NL East title in 2022 has given the Mets another opportunity to make major splashes, which they did. New York will look to forget about last season and put together a better campaign that has even more starpower attached to it. Will they be able to do such a task?

Impact Departures

The Mets have a decent list of departures, but most of them are nothing substantial. Noah Syndergaard left for Anaheim after multiple injury plagued seasons that left his 2016 season looking more like an anomaly, Javy Báez signed with the Tigers to return to playing shortstop after a deadline stint at second base in New York, and Michael Conforto remains unsigned. Marcus Stroman left to sign with the Cubs, and while he’s probably the biggest loss on this list, his impact in the long term will likely not be huge. Reserve journeymen Kevin Pillar and Jonathan Villar both departed as well, leaving some holes that had to be patched on the bench. Albert Almora also left after only one season in Queens.

P Noah Syndergaard (FA)

P Marcus Stroman (FA)

SS/2B Javier Báez (FA)

IF Jonathan Villar (FA)

OF Kevin Pillar (FA)

OF Michael Conforto (FA)

OF Albert Almora, Jr. (FA)

Impact Additions

Predictably, the Mets were incredibly active in free agency and the trade market, bringing in a large amount of big names in an attempt to avenge the disappointment of last season. A big pitcher acquisition in Max Scherzer comes along with Chris Bassitt in a trade with Oakland, while Eduardo Escobar adds depth in the infield. Mark Canha and Starling Marte also arrive to shore up an outfield that lost minor pieces, showing a huge upgrade. Robinson Canó will also return to the Mets at age 39 after a year long suspension for PEDs. Adam Ottavino has also arrived to provide the bullpen with another serviceable arm, although he’s been shaky the past 2 seasons in New York and Boston.

P Chris Bassitt (trade w/ Oak)

P Max Scherzer (FA)

P Adam Ottavino (FA)

IF Eduardo Escobar (FA)

OF Mark Canha (FA)

OF Starling Marte (FA)

DH Robinson Canó (SSPD)

Projected Lineup

This is arguably the best lineup in the NL East, even with the defending champion Braves in the division. Brandon Nimmo will lead off as in past years, with Starling Marte, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso following. Robinson Canó, Eduardo Escobar, and Jeff McNeil make up the middle of the order, with Mark Canha and James McCann rounding it out. This lineup has two switch hitters and three lefties, which gives them an edge against pitchers throwing from either side of the mound.

1. RF Brandon Nimmo (L)
2. CF Starling Marte (R)
3. SS Francisco Lindor (S)
4. 1B Pete Alonso (R)
5. DH Robinson Canó (L)
6. 3B Eduardo Escobar (S)
7. 2B Jeff McNeil (L)
8. LF Mark Canha (R)
9. C James McCann (R)

Don’t be surprised to see Escobar, McNeil, and Canha all shift between 6-8 in the lineup. Additionally, Tomás Nido will serve as the backup catcher, with Luis Guillorme, Dominic Smith, and JD Davis all expected to see time as backups in the infield, and the latter two in the outfield as well.

Projected Rotation

The lineup I have here is in the event everyone is healthy. Starting the season, this is already not the case, with Jacob deGrom out for at least a month and Max Scherzer dealing with some lower body issues. Chris Bassitt will need to make a big impact for the time being. Additionally, Carlos Carrasco only started 12 games last year, performing very poorly in the process. Projected fourth starter Taijuan Walker had an All-Star first half last year before regressing hard in half 2 of the season. With deGrom and Scherzer sidelined, expect both Tylor Megill and lefty David Peterson to possibly get called up from Triple-A.

1. Jacob deGrom
2. Max Scherzer
3. Chris Bassitt
4. Taijuan Walker
5. Carlos Carrasco

(All five pitchers throw right-handed.)

Projected Bullpen

The Mets seem to be compensating for the three lefties in their projected lineup by only one total in their pitching staff, which is an issue considering that the likes of Bryce Harper, Matt Olson, and Juan Soto are all in New York’s division. Edwin Díaz will serve as the closer once again, coming off of a 32 save campaign, but his habit of making games close combines with 23 allowed home runs last year to make Mets fans a tad nervous. Trevor May and the newly acquired Adam Ottavino will serve as late inning setup men. Seth Lugo headlines the class of middle inning relievers, coming off of a campaign in which he had a 3.50 ERA in 46 appearances. He’s accompanied here by Miguel Castro, Chasen Shreve, the only southpaw on New York’s staff, and Drew Smith. Trevor Williams will be the long inning reliever when starters get chased early.

Miguel Castro (R)

Edwin Díaz (R)

Seth Lugo (R)

Trevor May (R)

Adam Ottavino (R)

Chasen Shreve (L)

Drew Smith (R)

Trevor Williams (R)

As far as bullpens go, the Mets definitely don’t have a world class squad, but it shouldn’t lose the team too many games.

Impact Prospects

MLB Pipeline ranks the Mets 20th overall in MLB farm systems, with catcher Francisco Álvarez topping the list as MLB’s number 10 prospect overall. He is accompanied by two more ranked prospects in Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio, but that is all New York has in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100. Álvarez is not likely to be called up in 2022, but Baty might see his way onto the field at some point. Regardless, New York’s middle of the pack farm will not impact their season much. Here’s their top 5 prospects this season:

C Francisco Álvarez (10)

3B/OF Brett Baty (27)

SS Ronny Mauricio (78)

3B/OF/1B Mark Vientos

RHP Matt Allan

Some Half Street High Heat writers give their answers on certain Mets topics below, including the most intriguing storyline and which Mets player they’d most like to add to the Nationals.

Best Mets Pitcher

Nick: Jacob deGrom

Ryan: Jacob deGrom

Monty: Jacob deGrom

CK: Jacob deGrom

Best Mets Player

Nick: Pete Alonso

Ryan: Starling Marte

Monty: Francisco Lindor

CK: Pete Alonso

Favorite Mets Pitcher/Player:

Nick: Jacob deGrom

Ryan: Max Scherzer

Monty: Max Scherzer, duh

CK: Carlos Carrasco

Most Hated Mets Pitcher/Player:

Nick: Brandon Nimmo

Ryan: James McCann

Monty: Brandon Nimmo

CK: Edwin Díaz

One Mets Player to Add to the Nats:

Nick: Jacob deGrom

Ryan: Francisco Lindor

Monty: I think I said Lindor last year but going to go with Max just because I miss him.

CK: Starling Marte

Most Intriguing Mets Storyline:

Nick: “Their top two guys in the rotation are already hurt. Is this just a more expensive ‘same old Mets?’”

Ryan: “Can the Mets not be the Soap Opera Mets and have a normal season for once?”

Monty: “Can Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer stay healthy enough to drag the Mets to a postseason appearance?”

CK: “Once again carrying lofty expectations, can the Mets overcome an already injured rotation to finally get over the playoff hump?”