McCann confident he’ll bounce back in ’22

The last time James McCann had the worst season of his career, he followed it up with an All-Star campaign.

The Mets catcher is leaning on that past experience for perspective as he closes out another tough season in which did not meet expectations — his own or the team’s — in the first year of a fouryear, $40 million contract.

“I know how I’ve had success, I know what I need to do to have success. This year, it just didn’t happen,” McCann said Thursday before hitting a two-run double in the Mets’ 12-3 win over the Marlins at Citi Field.

“It’s nowhere near the expectations I set for myself. Especially from a team aspect. I expect more of myself to help the team win on the offensive side and it didn’t happen this year.”

Entering Thursday, McCann was batting .228 with 10 home runs and an OPS-plus of 74 (100 being league average) in 118 games. It pales in comparison to the numbers he put up with the White Sox in 2019 and 2020, when he combined to hit .276 with 25 home runs and a 114 OPS-plus across 149 games.

McCann was hardly the only Met to struggle, but after a year of adjusting to a new league, he knows he needs to be better next season.

“From my expectations heading into the season, it’s not where I want to be or I need to be,” McCann said. “First time in a new league, first time facing pitchers I haven’t really seen before, ball going right at guys, getting off to a slow start. There’s numerous things you can point to but I’ve never been one to make excuses. I’ve always been the kind that puts my nose down and gets back to work and makes the necessary adjustments.”

➤ Rich Hill gave up three runs (two earned) over five innings to complete his season with his first win as a Met. The 41year-old lefty, who was acquired in a July trade with the Rays, finished the year with a 3.86 ERA — 3.84 in 13 games with the Mets.

“It was emotional,” Hill said. “It meant a lot.”

Hill said he “definitely” wants to pitch again next season and doing it for the Mets “would be something I would truly look forward to.”

➤ Marcus Stroman’s season appears to be over. He was in line to start Sunday’s season finale against the Braves, but the Mets altered their rotation for the series and now Noah Syndergaard will be the opener for Sunday with a bulk pitcher to be determined.

Rookie Tylor Megill will start Friday, followed by Trevor Williams on Saturday.

➤ Pete Alonso hit home runs No. 36 and 37 — and came within a few feet of making it a three-homer night.