Why you should be excited and cautious about the Mets in 2016

New York Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores gives a thumbs-up during batting practice before Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. Credit: Newsday / William Perlman
Three reasons to be excited for the Mets in 2016:
1. The starting rotation
Blessed with a blend of youth and talent, the Mets boast perhaps the best starting rotation in all of baseball. In Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, the Mets have three legitimate No. 1 starters.
2. The man in the middle
The re-signing of Yoenis Cespedes represented a victory on several levels, bringing star power and a presence to the middle of the lineup.
3. The bench
The Mets paid dearly for a lack of depth in the first half last season. Alejandro De Aza, Kevin Plawecki and Wilmer Flores could be starters on other teams.
Three reasons to be cautious about the Mets in 2016:
1. The starting rotation
Baseball’s sad reality is that pitchers break. The Mets can only hope that they have taken enough precautions with their prized arms.
2. The gloves
The Mets’ stable of swing-and-miss pitchers should help negate this weakness. But around the diamond, range is not a strength.
3. The loaded National League
Cubs, Pirates, Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks and, yes, even the Nationals. Take your pick. The Mets will have plenty of competition for the pennant.