NEW YORK METS (87-75), 2ND, NL EAST
uSeason snapshot: The season hardly went according to plan for the Mets, but they still reached the postseason for the second consecutive year. They did it without ever putting together the five-man super rotation they dreamed of in the spring. They did it despite putting all four starting infielders on the disabled list at one point or another, with two of them having season-ending surgery. They did it because outfielder was outstanding again, because 24-year-old
pitched like an ace and because was a 43-year-old marvel. The Mets were 60-62 in the middle of August, right about the time starting pitchers and joined on the disabled list. Rookies and had to enter the rotation, but both pitched well and the Mets had the best record in the major leagues from that point to the end of the season. They got big hits from shortstop who was signed as a free agent before the season, and third baseman who returned to the Mets after he was released by the Colorado Rockies. The bullpen combination of setup man and closer was outstanding, too. The Mets didn’t repeat as division champions, but with all the injuries, what they did in 2016 might have been even more impressive.
uWhat now: The Mets beat the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs on the way to the World Series last year, and they will see the Cubs again if they win the NL wild-card game Wednesday at Citi Field. They hope to enter 2017 with Syndergaard, Harvey, deGrom, Matz and healthy and ready to pitch.
uFree agent focus: When Cespedes opts out of his contract, the Mets won’t complain about having paid him $27.5 million for the 2016 season. The bigger issue is how much it will take for them to keep him, above the two years and $47.5 million left on the contract he signed in January. Colon and second baseman also are free agents, and the Mets have a decision to make on who has a $13 million option for 2017 with a $1 million buyout.
uProspects to watch: The Mets traded second baseman Dilson Herrera to the Cincinnati Reds to get Bruce, but they kept shortstop widely regarded as their top prospect. They also kept outfielder who got some big-league time in 2016.
Danny Knobler