Tim Healey

WHY THE METS MIGHT BE GOOD 
 1. The rotation: Four of the top five starting pitchers were All-Stars last year: Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker. There are question marks, such as deGrom’s health (including a right shoulder blade stress reaction that will keep him out for the start of the season). But when heal-thy, this group should be among the best in baseball. 
 2. The bounce-backs: Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith and James McCann seriously underperformed last year, 
 so by default, the 
 Mets’ lineup should be better this season. 
 3. The manager: Buck Showalter’s teams never won much of anything in his 20 seasons at the helm of the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers and Orioles. But the three-time Manager of the Year has earned plaudits from inside and outside the organization.  
<a class="p-smartembed" data-onecms-id="contentid/YjIwYjYyYjktM2RlMS00" data-onecms-type="storywidget" href="javascript:window.parent.actionEventData({$contentId:'contentid/YjIwYjYyYjktM2RlMS00', $action:'view', $target:'work'})" polopoly:contentid="contentid/YjIwYjYyYjktM2RlMS00">STORYWIDGET: stn-mets-player2</a> 
 WHY THEY MIGHT DISAPPOINT 
 1. The division: Atlanta won the World Series last year and has won the division title the past four years. The Phillies look as if they’ll mash. The Marlins have some of the best pitching around. It won’t be easy to navigate the East.  &nbsp; 
 2. Age: Suddenly, the Mets seem kind of old. Six of the nine in their starting lineup are at least 30. It is even worse for the rotation: four of five are past 30 (and the last, Walk- er, will get there in August). Offseason additions Scherzer, Bassitt, Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar fall into this cat- egory. That might not be a good thing for a club that tends to suffer more than its share of injuries. 
 3. Expectations: Sports are like politics: Follow the money. The 2022 Mets are the most expensive team in club history, and the mandate is to win now. Falling short of greatness would seem disappointing.

WHY THE METS MIGHT BE GOOD 1. The rotation: Four of the top five starting pitchers were All-Stars last year: Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker. There are question marks, such as deGrom’s health (including a right shoulder blade stress reaction that will keep him out for the start of the season). But when heal-thy, this group should be among the best in baseball. 2. The bounce-backs: Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith and James McCann seriously underperformed last year, so by default, the Mets’ lineup should be better this season. 3. The manager: Buck Showalter’s teams never won much of anything in his 20 seasons at the helm of the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers and Orioles. But the three-time Manager of the Year has earned plaudits from inside and outside the organization.  STORYWIDGET: stn-mets-player2 WHY THEY MIGHT DISAPPOINT 1. The division: Atlanta won the World Series last year and has won the division title the past four years. The Phillies look as if they’ll mash. The Marlins have some of the best pitching around. It won’t be easy to navigate the East.   2. Age: Suddenly, the Mets seem kind of old. Six of the nine in their starting lineup are at least 30. It is even worse for the rotation: four of five are past 30 (and the last, Walk- er, will get there in August). Offseason additions Scherzer, Bassitt, Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar fall into this cat- egory. That might not be a good thing for a club that tends to suffer more than its share of injuries. 3. Expectations: Sports are like politics: Follow the money. The 2022 Mets are the most expensive team in club history, and the mandate is to win now. Falling short of greatness would seem disappointing.

Sports

Baseball

New York Mets

SPBMBOX220407

Three up, three down: The Mets in 2022

onecms:bedeb305-6750-4c64-889a-8423a8bdeb8c

Newsday

_S3T047231736.jpg

More Mets headlines

mets article right rail

Koosman, among many other achievements, got the win in two of the Mets' four victories over the Orioles in the 1969 World Series.

Jerry Koosman, legendary Mets pitcher, dies at 83

The Mets have no impending free agents and a good number of holes to fill.

10 potential free-agent targets for the Mets this offseason

Will there be a flurry of free-agent signings in November, or will teams hold off as they wait for a new CBA?

Lennon: In MLB, one thing is for sure — nothing is for sure

Five things to know about the potential MLB lockout

The third baseman, who heated up in the second half, opted into the second season of his three-year deal.

Sources: Bichette exercises his $42 million player option to remain with Mets

More New York Sports

Sports Article Bottom Module

The Giants have not won in Philadelphia since 2013. Can Big Blue break that streak on Sunday? Evan Barnes reports.

Giants haven't won in Philadelphia since 2013

"The Jets haven't been eliminated from the playoffs. It only feels that way." Newsday's Jets beat writer Al Iannazzone looks at this Sunday's game in Kansas City.

'Their season is slipping away'

Wilson entered the protocol after a helmet-to-helmet hit on the Jets' next-to-last offensive play of Sunday's loss to Las Vegas.

Garrett Wilson could miss Jets' game vs. KC after entering concussion protocol

Teixeira, a Republican who played with the Yankees for eight seasons, beat Democrat Kristin Hook with 54.5% of the vote.

Former Yankee wins U.S. House seat in Texas

Mets Trending Bar

Schedule/results

Standings

Stats

Roster

MLB scores

Odds

Transactions

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Authorities across Long Island have cracked down on the booming illegal sex trade at foot spas, Islip Town officials have raided only three foot spas – two of them shortly after reporters began asking questions. Newsday investigative reporter Sandra Peddie and NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn have more.

Islip Town Supervisor takes little action on spas after allegations of illicit sex

The show must go on! NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Costume America in Farmingdale where they have made more than 50,000 costumes.

LI Works: There's no business like the costume business

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits a family owned farm in Southold which specializes in pasture raised pigs, chickens, and eggs alongside fruits and vegetables.

Out East: Lettuce visit Deep Roots Farm in Southold

The Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Room was unveiled at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in Lake Success. It's a dedicated space named for Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer's mother, who died in February 2024 following a two-year fight with breast cancer.

Child support room named for mom of Isles' Schaefer opens

Olga Fuller, a licensed psychologist and founder of Authentic Insight Psychology, talks to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about the change in priorities after having a baby.

Working Moms: Priority shift

The cost of living on Long Island is causing some Gen Zers to live at home with their parents. Newsday real estate reporter Rachel Weiss was more.

Cost of living keeps Gen Z at home with parents

Newsday high school sports reporter Jared Valluzzi looks at Week 8's football plays of the week, plus boys and girls soccer highlights.

Week 8 football plays of the week

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.

Picture This: When Kings Park had a psychiatric hospital

Rori Zura was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 33. Today, she helps others as a cancer exercise specialist. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Breast cancer survivor helps others take charge of their recovery

The report identified over half a million hateful posts on X between January 2025 and June 2026, with monthly growth of 75%. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Anti-South Asian rhetoric surging on some social media platforms, report says

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

New York Mets - megaslot

Complete coverage of the New York Mets with the latest news, scores, schedule and analysis.

More Mets headlines

Stay logged in.