DIVISION QUEST
Amazin’s begin journey to claim NL East crown
Jose Reyes not only wants every member of the Mets believing this team will reclaim the NL East in 2017, but says such a mindset is imperative.
“Whoever doesn’t think that way shouldn’t be here, they don’t have to be here,” Reyes said. “We have to think we will win our division. It’s not going to be easy, because the Nationals have got a good team and won last year. But we have to compete with them and are ready to do it.”
The 162-game journey begins Monday, with Citi Field open for business and last year’s NL East runner-up — albeit a team that was good enough to claim a wild-card berth before losing to the Giants in the one-game playoff — ready to start over.
The Mets front office had enough faith in last season’s 87-win crew, which overcame injuries and went 27-13 down the stretch to reach the postseason for a second straight year, to return the unit practically intact.
Not only did the Mets go the entire offseason without adding a major league player, the only significant defection was Bartolo Colon, who was squeezed out from a potentially deep rotation and signed with the Braves.
“We learned a lot about the makeup of this team last year in the second half of the season,” manager Terry Collins said. “When they had every opportunity to just let down because of all the things that happened, they actually went the other direction and picked themselves up, and I think that’s going to lead to a pretty successful season this year, because when things are tough they know they are going to be able to respond.”
Noah Syndergaard, who emerged as the Mets ace as Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Steven Matz battled ailments that led to surgery and curtailed seasons, will get the ball for the opener against the Braves’ Julio Teheran.
Syndergaard unleashed his 100-mph heat for a 14-9 record with a 2.60 ERA last season, his first full year in the majors. Behind him are deGrom, Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Robert Gsellman in a rotation that has two other quality options, Steven Matz and Seth Lugo, already on the disabled list.
“We feel our depth is going to be real important for us, whether it’s guys that are here or in Triple-A throwing,” Neil Walker said. “But these guys trust themselves, one through five of the starting rotation, and the bullpen, they trust themselves to turn it over.”
The Mets have plenty of home-run potential with Yoenis Cespedes, Lucas Duda, Jay Bruce, Curtis Granderson and Walker, among others, but will also have to keep those players on the field.
“You think about the fact that myself, Duda or Bruce can possibly be hitting seventh in a lineup, that is pretty exciting because not many other teams have those kind of options that deep in a National League lineup,” Walker said.
In the bullpen, the Mets are without Jeurys Familia — suspended for the first 15 games after violating MLB’s domestic violence policy — but hope a mix that includes Addison Reed, Fernando Salas, Hansel Robles and Jerry Blevins can handle the chores.
“We understand the Nationals are the team to beat in the division, because they won last year,” Walker said. “It’s a strong division. We feel like we have just as good a chance, given health and guys playing well.”