Call to the pen
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New York Mets 2017 Team Preview

By Joe Favia

Oct 12, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Mr. Met and Mrs. Met during the seventh inning between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the NLDS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Mr. Met and Mrs. Met during the seventh inning between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the NLDS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Offseason Additions

The Mets didn’t make big splashes on names this offseason for players who hadn’t already been wearing the blue, orange and white. No one expects the likes of Tim Tebow to be the ‘savior’ of the team this season. Much of the hopes are reliant on what the team already had in the clubhouse, and were a part of the past two postseason teams.

‘YO Knows’

Bringing back two-time All-Star Yoenis Cespedes was the headline-grabbing move. Most certainly the Mets’ best hitter, the Silver Slugger winner brings stability to the middle of the Mets order, and with the four-year deal he received, he will be the cornerstone of the position players going forward. Becoming the highest paid Met, and second-highest paid outfielder in the game would have an effect on most players. We will see if Cespedes lives up to the dollars.

Bringing Back ‘The Real Deal’

Signing the one-year qualifying offer, Neil Walker returns to the Mets. The veteran switch-hitter who took over the second base position from Daniel Murphy tied a career high in home runs last season with 23. He is also among the game’s most consistent fielders at second base with the fifth best active fielding percentage. With the veteran infield tandem of Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera, it allows Mets manager Terry Collins time to work in young phenom shortstop Amed Rosario.

Wheeler’s Back

After a two-year absence, Zack Wheeler is trying to get back to his 2014 form that saw him lead the National League in shutouts and finish in the top 10 in strikeouts. The Mets are already contenders boasting the best pitching staff in baseball, but getting Wheeler back would be a cherry on top. The limit that the team currently has for Wheeler is 125 innings as JT Teran at Rising Apple reported. He lost 2015 to Tommy John surgery, and last season was shut down after battling a mild flexor strain. Many, including Brendan Kuty of NJ.com, think Wheeler most likely will be used out of the bullpen. I think that he will be effective enough to work his way back into the rotation.

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