Five issues facing the Mets as the 2019 season begins
New York Mets Manager Mickey Callaway looks on during a split-squad scrimmage Feb. 22, 2019 in Port St. Lucie. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
CALLING ON CALLAWAY
Sandy Alderson, the general manager who hired Mickey Callaway as Mets manager, is long gone. If the team has a bad start, how long will Brodie Van Wagenen give Callaway? Among the in-house interim options, if the Mets need them: bench coach Jim Riggleman, quality control coach Luis Rojas and Triple-A manager Tony DeFrancesco.
WHO’S ON FIRST?
Pete Alonso rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run at First Data Field on Feb 23, 2019. Credit: Getty Images/Michael Reaves
New year, same question. The Mets’ best-case scenario probably features first-base prospect Pete Alonso establishing himself as a wrecking ball in the middle of the lineup, but an almost-best-case-scenario features stability and production from anyone at first base, be it Alonso, Dominic Smith or someone else.
WAITING FOR THOR
New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard throws a live batting session Sunday Feb. 17, 2019 during a spring training workout in Port St. Lucie, FL. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa
Noah Syndergaard, 26, has been a sexy preseason Cy Young pick for years. A breakout season by Syndergaard would greatly help the Mets’ playoff chase. The key for him isn’t effectiveness — note his 2.93 career ERA — but staying on the field. He hasn’t made 30 starts since 2016.
O CES, WHERE ART YO?
Yoenis Cespedes at Citi Field on July 24, 2018. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Yoenis Cespedes’ comeback from twin heel surgeries will be a running theme of the Mets’ season. Will he play in 2019? When? Will he be good?
A NEW INNER CIRCLE
Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen at spring training in Port St. Lucie. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Van Wagenen, the agent-turned-GM, spent the offseason filling out his cabinet, including assistant GMs Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge. When the Mets inevitably hit a snag — the injuries already have started — or need a midseason talent infusion, how will the front office respond?
