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

Of his struggling starting rotation, manager Carlos Mendoza said, "We need them to get going pretty soon."

Albanese: Mets' starters making consistency impossible

Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper each homered for the second consecutive game, and Zack Wheeler struck out seven as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the New York Mets 6-2.

Schwarber, Harper homer again as Phillies beat Mets

"They believe in each other," manager Carlos Mendoza said. "They can trust the guy behind him, that he's going to pick them up."

Mets' competitive bullpen serves as bright spot in rough season

Philadelphia's eight-run third inning fueled a lopsided victory on Saturday.

Phillies rout Mets in 15-run outburst, Peralta hit hard

The Knicks won a championship. A small African country tied Spain in the World Cup. Why can't the Mets salvage a season?

Albanese: Forget the odds, recent sporting events show Mets aren't done yet

More New York Sports

Sports Article Bottom Module

Aaron Boone's homer in Game 7 of the 2023 ALCS prompted the firing of Grady Little and the hiring of Terry Francona as Red Sox manager.

Lennon: Yankees' Boone, Reds' Francona remain linked in MLB history

The Maple Leafs have told Penn State's Gavin McKenna he'll be the top overall pick.

NHL Mock Draft: Islanders like Suvanto; Rangers have two first-round picks

Mets Trending Bar

Schedule/results

Standings

Stats

Roster

MLB scores

Odds

Transactions

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Hockey dad back on ice after surviving blood cancer thanks to bone marrow donation from son. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

Hockey dad survives blood cancer 

"I beat people up during the day and then I talk about their feelings at night," he said.

Long Island boxer Pete Latorre's one-two punch

As we head into summer, NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen looks back at Long Island's hurricane history and prospects for the 2026 season.

A look back at LI's hurricane history

Knicks fans traveled to New York City on Thursday to be a part of the excitement as the Knicks paraded down the Canyon of Heroes to celebrate their NBA championship. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Fans line the streets for Knicks parade

Admitted Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann on Wednesday was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the killing of 8 women. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Rex Heuermann sentenced to life without parole

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits an historic home in Jamesport, that was recently renovated and you can visit and enjoy some wine.

Out East: Main & Mill House

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman takes the pedicab from Robert Moses to Kismet.

Fire Island daycation: Visiting Kismet via pedicab

Long Beach's Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez throws first pitch before the Yankees-White Sox game on Tuesday.

Long Beach's Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez throws first pitch at Yankee Stadium

The Waldorf School of Garden City is taking a new approach to teaching students, by delaying the use of technology in the classroom.

Tech-free learning at The Waldorf School of Garden City

Family's fourth generation takes posession of The Selina II, a century-old sailboat built in Greenport.

Set sail in piece of maritime history

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.