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

The Islanders recognized him for his 21 years as their TV play-by-play man.

Former Mets, Isles broadcaster Howie Rose gets tribute at UBS Arena

Bichette's status is just one piece of the puzzle Stearns must figure out

5 questions facing the Mets this offseason

Manager Andy Green and the players appear hungry to turn things around in 2027.

Albanese: Some optimism amid a lost season

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns on Monday said the team got off to a "very tough start" that they "let steamroll" but saw some encouraging signs at the end of the year. Newsday's Mets beat writer Laura Albanese reports.

'We didn't have enough runway left in the season'

The Mets' president of baseball operations owned his shortcomings in season's final remarks. What comes next will define his tenure.

Albanese: Mets' David Stearns has failed, but he has a chance to turn it around

More New York Sports

Sports Article Bottom Module

"Last year, we lost the close ones," Dru Phillips said. "This year, we can win these close ones. It's all about being in that moment."

This season's Giants are proving to be tough and resilient

The backup goalie hasn't started a game since Nov. 29, 2024 due to multiple knee surgeries.

Gross: Will Varlamov make first start in two years for Isles against Rangers?

The Jets ran 32 plays against Chicago. By contrast, the Bears had 34 first downs Sunday.

Iannazzone: The Bears were bored. The fans are mad. What's next for the Jets?

KAT says he wants to help the team cap-wise but also wants to feel valued

Towns frustrated by contract talks with Knicks

Mets Trending Bar

Schedule/results

Standings

Stats

Roster

MLB scores

Odds

Transactions

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits MJ Social in Island Park to learn how to play mah-jongg.

Mother-daughter team create a place to play mah-jongg

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to Seven Ponds Orchard in Water Mill where you can pick crisp apples, gather garden-fresh veggies, and let the kids burn off some energy at one of the island's largest playgrounds.

Out East: Seven Ponds Orchard

How this Long Island mother-son duo are taking over TikTok

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Das Biergarten in Long Beach.

It's Oktoberfest every day at this Long Beach restaurant

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman takes a tour of the farmhouse at Kerber's Farm, which is one of four properties available to rent for overnight stays on the farm.

Stay the night at this LI farm

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Bisqo in Hicksville to try the Miso Overload, a Dubai-inspired creation which combines a frappe with a slice of tiramisu.

 Trendy Bites: Have your frappe with a slice of tiramisu on top

Ex-NYS court officer Brian Burke accompanied Rex Heuermann to nearly all of his court appearances. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Former LI court officer talks about Gilgo Beach serial killer's chilling admissions

The revitilization to Westbury Avenue in Carle Place will include sidewalk replacement, street repaving and improved pedestrian crossings. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

$4M street revitalization project begins in Carle Place

The Knicks began training camp on Tuesday with the hopes of repeating as NBA champions. Newsday's Knicks beat writer Steve Popper reports.

New season, new journey for Knicks

NewsdayTV's Andi Berlin visits No Good Burger Joint in Baldwin.

Newsday's Top 50 restaurants: A burger joint joins the list

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.