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The New York Mets have been a hot topic among MLB fans and media alike of late since they re-signed Yoenis Cespedes. The Mets clearly have plenty of talent in place, but it’s unlikely to gel in 2016. Here are five reasons why they won’t be winning a World Series this coming season.
5. Defense is Below-Average
Getty ImagesCatcher Travis d'Arnaud calls a solid game, but his arm is abysmal. Just ask the Kansas City Royals -- they ran all over him in the World Series. Asdrubal Cabrera is an upgrade over Wilmer Flores at shortstop defensively, but still is considered substandard at best, and Michael Conforto is a work in progress in left field.
New York's stellar starting staff masked a ton of the Mets' defensive deficiencies in 2015, and while they improved at second base with Neil Walker in place of Daniel Murphy, they essentially stayed the same everywhere else, which could come back to haunt them.
Yoenis Cespedes has an otherworldly arm, and can pick it in center field when he wants to. But he didn't play the position well overall for the Mets down the stretch, and it cost the team dearly.
Catcher Travis d'Arnaud calls a solid game, but his arm is abysmal. Just ask the Kansas City Royals -- they ran all over him in the World Series. Asdrubal Cabrera is an upgrade over Wilmer Flores at shortstop defensively, but still is considered substandard at best, and Michael Conforto is a work in progress in left field.
New York's stellar starting staff masked a ton of the Mets' defensive deficiencies in 2015, and while they improved at second base with Neil Walker in place of Daniel Murphy, they essentially stayed the same everywhere else, which could come back to haunt them.
4. Chicago Cubs Are Loaded
Getty ImagesThe Cubs were at least a year ahead of schedule last season, and have made a number of veteran additions (Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, John Lackey) to their uber-talented young core.
On paper, the Mets still have the advantage in the starting staff and bullpen, but Chicago's staff is hardly chopped liver, and their offense has the potential to be unstoppable. In a seven-game series, the Mets won't be able to beat the Cubs four times.
If the Mets run into the Chicago Cubs again in the 2016 NLCS, they will be running into a buzz saw this time around.
The Cubs were at least a year ahead of schedule last season, and have made a number of veteran additions (Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, John Lackey) to their uber-talented young core.
On paper, the Mets still have the advantage in the starting staff and bullpen, but Chicago's staff is hardly chopped liver, and their offense has the potential to be unstoppable. In a seven-game series, the Mets won't be able to beat the Cubs four times.
3. Schism Between Mets Brass and Matt Harvey Isn't Going Away
Getty ImagesWell, just last week, the Mets were unhappy with Harvey for missing an awards dinner in NYC , and GM Sandy Alderson joked that Harvey must have "missed his flight" despite being in town during the festivities.
Harvey is most likely not going to be re-signed in three years when he becomes a free-agent, so this dynamic isn't going away anytime soon. At some point this season, it's going to rear its ugly head again, and the team is going to suffer as a result.
After a number of incidents between Matt Harvey and the Mets front-office played out last season, all appeared to be hunky-dory when Harvey defied agent Scott Boras' orders and pitched in the postseason.
Well, just last week, the Mets were unhappy with Harvey for missing an awards dinner in NYC , and GM Sandy Alderson joked that Harvey must have "missed his flight" despite being in town during the festivities.
Harvey is most likely not going to be re-signed in three years when he becomes a free-agent, so this dynamic isn't going away anytime soon. At some point this season, it's going to rear its ugly head again, and the team is going to suffer as a result.
2. Lack Of Team Speed
Andy Marlin-USA TODAY SportsKnowing they won't be able to rely on power, their best bet would have been to attempt to build like the Kansas City Royals by focusing on players who run the bases well, and make a ton of contact, but Sandy Alderson and Co. neglected to do so.
The Mets will need to string together a plethora of hits to score runs, and it doesn't project to happen as they are currently constructed.
Even with Yoenis Cespedes back on the team, the Mets won't be bludgeoning opponents, as their lineup still isn't incredibly stout in the power department.
Knowing they won't be able to rely on power, their best bet would have been to attempt to build like the Kansas City Royals by focusing on players who run the bases well, and make a ton of contact, but Sandy Alderson and Co. neglected to do so.
The Mets will need to string together a plethora of hits to score runs, and it doesn't project to happen as they are currently constructed.
1. Lineup Is Decent, But Not Great
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY SportsHowever, the Mets are banking on a number of inconsistent hitters (Asdrubal Cabrera, Travis d'Arnaud, etc.) to come through, and there's no way to no how many games David Wright will play with the problems he's had in his back.
Barring an unforeseen trade prior to the deadline --- which seems unlikely now that their payroll is at $140 million -- the Mets still don't have enough offense to win the World Series despite retaining Cespedes.
Re-signing Yoenis Cespedes undoubtedly lengthens the Mets lineup, and makes them a completely different team than they were two weeks ago.
However, the Mets are banking on a number of inconsistent hitters (Asdrubal Cabrera, Travis d'Arnaud, etc.) to come through, and there's no way to no how many games David Wright will play with the problems he's had in his back.
Barring an unforeseen trade prior to the deadline --- which seems unlikely now that their payroll is at $140 million -- the Mets still don't have enough offense to win the World Series despite retaining Cespedes.
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