New York Mets
2016: 87-75, second place, lost to San Francisco in wild-card game. Manager: Terry Collins (seventh season). He’s here: LHP Tom Gorzelanny, LHP
Adam Wilk, 3B coach Glenn Sherlock. He’s outta here: RHP Bartolo Colon, 1B James Loney, OF Alejandro De Aza, RHP Jim Henderson, LHP Jonathon Niese, INFOF Kelly Johnson, RHP Logan Verrett, RHP Gabriel Ynoa, CF Justin Ruggiano, 3B coach Tim Teufel.
Projected lineup: 3B Jose Reyes (.267, 8 HRs, 24 RBIs, 9 SBs in 60 games), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.280, 23, 62), LF Yoenis Cespedes (.280, 31, 86), CF Curtis Granderson (.237, 30, 59), 2B Neil Walker (.282, 23, 55 in 113 games before seasonending back surgery), RF Jay Bruce (.250, 33, 99 with Reds and Mets; .219, 8, 19 in 50 games with Mets), 1B Lucas Duda (.229, 7, 23, limited to 47 games due to back injury) or Wilmer Flores (.267, 16, 49 in 103 games; .340, 11 HRs, .710 slugging in 100 ABs vs. LHP), C Travis d’Arnaud (.247, 4, 15, .629 OPS in 75 games). Rotation: RH Noah Syndergaard (14-9, 2.60 ERA, 218 Ks in 183⅔ IP, All-Star), RH Jacob deGrom (7-8, 3.04 in 24 starts), LH Steven Matz (9-8, 3.40 in 22 starts), RH Matt Harvey (4-10, 4.86 in 17 starts), RH Robert Gsellman (4-2, 2.42 in 8 games, 7 starts) or RH Seth Lugo (5-2, 2.67 in 17 games, 8 starts) or RH Zack Wheeler (missed last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery; 11-11, 3.54 in 2014). Hot spots: Catcher and outfield. This could be a make-or-break season for the oft-injured d’Arnaud, once a top prospect who was productive at the plate when healthy from 2014-15. He struggled badly last season and lost playing time to veteran Rene Rivera, a defensive standout who was brought back as insurance. The team isn’t ready to give up on the 28-yearold d’Arnaud, but defense is not his calling card so he needs to hit to keep his job. A glut of dangerous hitters is the issue in a crowded outfield, pressuring Collins to press the right buttons. General manager Sandy Alderson still might pursue trading Bruce to clear room for youngster Michael Conforto. Center fielder Juan Lagares, a Gold Glove winner in 2014, figures to get at-bats against lefties. Outlook: Seeking a third consecutive playoff appearance for the first time in franchise history, the Mets have enough talent and depth to make another October run. But a long list of critical injuries derailed the 2015 NL champs last year, so better health is crucial. Every experienced regular besides Granderson spent time on the disabled list last season, in addition to Flores and Lagares. Yet the primary concern is the overall fitness of a young, gifted, fragile rotation led by Syndergaard — the only established starter who made it through the full 2016 season. Harvey, deGrom, Matz and Wheeler are all coming off surgery. Harvey and Wheeler appear to be the biggest question marks right now. Gsellman and Lugo, the surprising rookies who rescued a depleted staff down the stretch, could again play important roles. New York quickly re-signed Cespedes last fall for $110 million over four years and barely touched the big league roster. Still, challenges lie ahead. Familia faces a possible suspension under MLB’s domestic violence policy. Reed, with 106 career saves, should be able to fill the closer role for a while if necessary, but that could stress the entire bullpen. The delicate status of captain David Wright remains a looming issue, too. The longtime third baseman with spinal stenosis is having trouble throwing after neck surgery last year. He’s sidelined with his latest ailment, a shoulder injury, but sounds determined to return. If most of the Mets can stay on the field and off the DL, they’ll go after NL East champion Washington with this number on their side: a 106-74 record with Cespedes in the lineup since August 2015.