As an analyst and industry insider, I am often asked for season hot takes. I decided to put together my five boldest predictions for the 2021 Mets, with a ball-busting bonus at the end.

Francisco Lindor Will Be The NL MVP

Francisco Lindor’s greatest gift is allowing Mets fans to dream big. The shortstop is everything you could want in a player…and then some. Lindor provides 40-homer power, Gold Glove defense at a key position, outstanding speed on the basepaths, and an ineffable star quality that will play perfectly in the Big Apple. 

The Mets’ acquisition of Lindor has more than a few parallels with the trade that brought Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in 2020. Both are franchise players dealt in their primes to a team in a major media market. And just as Betts turned Tinseltown into Titletown, I fully expect Lindor to reverse the Mets’ recent fortunes. Betts finished second in MVP voting last year; Lindor will do him one better by taking home the award.

Jacob deGrom Will Throw a No-Hitter

deGrom’s greatness has never been in doubt, but it’s still staggering to watch him evolve year after year. The two-time Cy Young winner is already in the pantheon of Mets aces that includes Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden.

So what can he do to further cement his legacy as an all-time great? 

The logical answer: throw a no-hitter. 

deGrom enters the 2021 season with just three complete games (one shutout) for his career. But as anyone who watches him on a regular basis can attest, there are nights when he is close to unhittable. This year, deGrom will make history by throwing a no-no in front of a Citi Field crowd. Those who consider Johan Santana’s 2012 no-hitter to be illegitimate will have no such gripes with Jake’s feat, which will reaffirm his status as a generational talent.

Dominic Smith Will Lead MLB in Doubles

How can you not love Dom Smith? The man is a ray of sunshine in a dreary world. 

He’s also blossomed into an intimidating presence at the plate. In the abbreviated 2020 season, Smith collected 21 doubles, just two shy of Freddie Freeman for the MLB lead. 

Mets fans will see their fair share of Dom bombs this year, but he’ll drive the ball in the gaps even when he fails to go yard. I predict that Smith’s recent conversation with Barry Bonds about the science of hitting will help him lead the majors in two-baggers. Smith will have over 50 doubles in 2021, breaking the single-season Mets record of 44 by Bernard Gilkey in 1996.

Luis Guillorme Will Hit a Walk-off Home Run

Anyone who follows me on social media knows I am unapologetic in my love for Luis Guillorme.

Guillorme is one of those players who makes the most of every opportunity. He’s already a Spring Training legend for his one-handed bat catch and epic 22-pitch plate appearance, and his every defensive play is worthy of a highlight reel. 

Though he’s known for his glove, my bold prediction for Guillorme is centered around his bat. Entering this season, Guillorme has hit just one home run in the big leagues: a game-tying solo shot in the eighth-inning against the Nationals on August 10, 2019 (for the best of the 2019 Mets, click here). Based on his propensity for creating timeless baseball moments, I predict that Guillorme will hit a game-ending home run at some point in the 2021 season.

Castro and Díaz Will Dominate

After stumbling in his first go-round in Queens, Edwin Díaz got back on track in 2020, regaining the form that made him the 2018 AL Reliever of the Year for the Mariners. 

If Díaz continues to be lights out, the Mets will win their fair share of close games. And if 26-year-old righty Miguel Castro harnesses his talents, the Mets will have one of the game’s best bullpen backends. Castro averaged just over 98 MPH on his fastball in 2020, and he allowed just two hits and one walk over 7.1 innings this spring. I envision Castro taking over eighth-inning duties for the Mets this season, tag-teaming with Díaz to shut the door on opposing teams. 

Bonus Prediction: Trevor Bauer Will Be Rocked by the Padres

He’s not a Met, but Trevor Bauer will still be on Mets fans’ radars this season (click here to read why the Mets dodged a bullet by not signing him). 

Bauer’s 2020 season smells like a fluke: he won a Cy Young on the basis of 11 starts against terrible NL Central opponents. This season, he’ll go back to being the pitcher that posted a 4.04 ERA over his first 194 career appearances. The Padres, who are hungry to snap the Dodgers’ run of consecutive NL West titles, will become his greatest nemesis. Keep an eye on Manny Machado in particular: he enters 2021 with a career .588 average (10-17 AB) against Bauer.

Searle’s Final Say

Mets fans have been restless for this season to start ever since Steve Cohen bought the team and promised a new era of winning baseball. With Francisco Lindor on board, the Mets have a chance to make Cohen’s dream of a World Series championship come true. Despite playing in one of the game’s most competitive divisions, these Mets are talented enough to stay in the thick of the playoff race throughout the summer and into the fall. 

These are my bold predictions for the 2021 Mets — what are yours? Sound off in the comments below!