Another year over, a new one just begun...
Happy New Years Everyone!!!
2014 has come and gone.The future looks bright for the Mets. I'm not whipping out my shades just yet though. I understand that without an additional power/production bat New York will once again be underdogs. That's fine with me.
If it were only that simple.
Lets take stock of what we have as of the last day of 2014.
I present a New Years special:
The New York Mets 2015 opening day lineup (subject to all kindsa changes) Topps '15 design style.
I think I have to hold a real '15 Topps card in my hand before passing judgement, but they look pretty damn cool. I hope these wet your whistle for the 2015 Topps cards. They should pop sometime in Febuary. These can be considered mfc T'15 mini's.
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1) Juan Lagares: We all know what an amazin' fielder he is. We need him to get on base a lot. We should find out what kind of bat he has in 2015.
2) Curtis Granderson: We need Grandy to improve his numbers at least just a tad and not be so ridiculously streaky.
3) David Wright: The captain needs to step up & take command. We gotta get back to the post season at least one more time before Wright's star starts to fade. He needs to return to his career norms to show that the fade has not yet begun.
Photo of David Wright by Kathy Kmonicek
4) Lucas Duda: Was last seasons power numbers a fluke? I don't think so. Duda comes into his own in 2015. We're going to see 40 HRs from the Dude if he can stay in the lineup. He has to improve against lefties. And relax Lucas, you've made the grade.
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| I said relax! |
5) Michael Cuddyer: If Cudd does anymore than expected, which isn't much, he will be a great pick up. If he can pump out 20 homers and drive in 60 or more, we'll be in damn good shape. I think he and Wright being such good friends will count for something.
If he has a banner year we don't need no stinkin' new shortstop.
6) Daniel Murphy: Am I the only one who didn't want to trade Muffy this off season? I know he shows flashes of stupidity on the bases and is sometimes weak in the field, but this guy belongs on a winning Mets team if there's any winning to be done.
He'll have his best season all around in 2015, if he stays healthy.
7) Travis d'Arnaud: Travis has to show better defense behind the plate and at the plate he will become a doubles machine in 2015. If Plawecki advances at a fast pace, we could have an interesting problem on our hands.
8) Wilmer Flores: Will Wil Flores be our shortstop? Certainly looks like it at this point. I'm okay with Flores at SS even though you, Wilmer, are the weakest link.
Good day.
9) Matt Harvey: Talk has it that Harvey will be saved for the home opener on April 13th. We play 6 games on the road before that so I'm a little confused. Until there is official word I'll have him in the pitchers slot.
Will Harvey bounce back from TJ surgery? So many of our eggs are in his basket. In 2015 he's got to be as great as he thinks he is. Time to walk the walk Mattman.
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There are important factors at work this upcoming season that could make or break us. Many things will have to go our way to be successful in 2015.
These are my main concerns:
Matt, we didn't need to see your ass but we do need to see your arm (doing what it does). It's all down to you, and I believe that's just the way you like it.
Dave, for years I pictured a day when you and Reyes would be hoisting up the World Series trophy together. I'll have to settle for just you.
Zack, you got good stuff. Use it!
Wilmer, ankle weights!
Jacob, you made every Mets fan very proud by winning Rookie Of The Year Award. Can you continue developing and become an elite pitcher? Will your next award be a Cy?
Oh, BTW, don't cut your hair. We fans need something to grab onto.
Travis, I'm not worried about your hitting. You'll do fine there. Work on your catching. Too many balls are getting by you.
Mr. Cuddyer, nice to meet you.
What can you do for us?
This question is rather crucial. If you have a good year, we all have a good year.
Mejia, if you're going to do all that dancing on the field you better make like Matt and walk the walk.
Parnell, you can step up and take the spot as closer. They say you get first shot. Don't believe em.
The rest of you, please, do your job.
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Kevin Burkhardt moved on to what I hope are greener pastures for him.
He's a great guy, isn't he guyz?
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A last goodbye.
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