Call to the pen
Fansided

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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Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Offseason Departures

Bye Bye Bart

Losing Bartolo Colon, or ‘Big Sexy’ as he affectionately became known as in New York, will be difficult to replace. The 22-year veteran had a career renaissance in Oakland in 2012 and 2013 at the age of 40, and it carried over into his time with the Mets. Last season at 43, Colon pitched 191 innings, winning 15 games, and made the 500th start in his career. The former Cy Young Award winner will not be easy to replace by any measure.

De Out of Town

Well-traveled outfielder Alejandro De Aza moved on to the A’s in the offseason. De Aza had a poor 2016. With a career low in batting average, and a WAR rating of -0.4, De Aza’s time in New York had run its course. Oakland will be his eighth team in his nine-year career.

Loney Off to the Lone Star State

James Loney didn’t bring the bat the Mets hoped he would bring when they acquired him last May from the Padres. Loney ended up playing the majority of the year at first, while Lucas Duda dealt with a back injury. The Mets expect Duda to see the field more often this season, with Loney now with the Rangers. A free agent a season’s end, Duda may be the bridge before 2013 first-round pick Dominic Smith gets his opportunity.

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