The Mets have a chance to be one of baseball’s best teams in 2020. After all, any roster that features a two-time Cy Young winner, the reigning home run king, and a potential batting champion is a decent bet to make a postseason run.
As talented as that core group is, however, the club will fall short of its championship goal if the supporting cast does not produce at a high level. With the start of the regular season fast approaching, let’s examine the three Mets veterans whose performances will determine whether or not the Amazin’s reach October.
Wilson Ramos
Ramos remains an above-average offensive catcher, but his first season in orange and blue was not without its letdowns. Though he hit .307 with runners in scoring position, Ramos fell noticeably short in other areas. With an average Sprint Speed of just 22.9 feet-per-second, the Buffalo ranked as one of the slowest baserunners in the majors.
This issue was further magnified by his inability to lift the ball in the air. In fact, 62.4 percent of his batted balls were grounders, which was the highest rate of any qualified batter last season.
Yes, Ramos delivered some key hits for the Mets in 2019. But a player so lacking in natural footspeed needs to hit more line drives and fly balls. Otherwise, he’ll kill potential rallies by grounding into double plays.
For an example of how impactful Ramos’s bat can be, take a look at his 26-game hit streak that began in August of last season. Over the course of that streak, Ramos slashed .430/.452/.590 with 18 runs batted in. He was simply unstoppable at the plate, and his offensive surge helped bring the Mets within striking distance of a postseason berth.
For the Mets to earn a division title in 2020, they’ll need more stretches like this from their primary backstop.
Of course, offense is only part of the equation when it comes to a catcher’s value. Ramos played subpar defense in 2019, struggling in terms of both pitch framing and limiting stolen bases. His fielding was enough of an issue that Noah Syndergaard expressed a preference to have someone else behind the plate for his starts.
Ultimately, while it’s unrealistic to expect Ramos to completely revolutionize his defensive game, it is critical that the entire pitching staff feels comfortable throwing to him.
Robinson Canó
Brodie Van Wagenen’s first major move as GM was a mega-deal that netted Canó and closer Edwin Díaz from the Seattle Mariners. Unfortunately for the Mets, Díaz’s performance declined precipitously and Canó was plagued by injuries in his debut season in Flushing. At 37-years-old, Canó has lost some of the bat speed that once made him an elite hitter. Still, his second-half success suggests that he can be a solid contributor this season.
After batting .240 with a .646 OPS in the first half of 2019, Canó hit .284 with an .880 OPS after the All-Star break. So what made the difference for the veteran second baseman? According to Canó , it was mostly a matter of health. He was hit on the hand several times in the early months of the year, which led to discomfort when he swung the bat.
Though he missed a month with a torn hamstring later in the season, his second-half performance was more in line with what the Mets expected when they brought him over from Seattle.
Canó has spent this offseason strengthening his legs, which he believes will allow him to stay healthy and avoid unnecessary IL stints. Canó is under club control for the next four seasons, so the Mets will hope he proves that he’s still capable of consistent offensive production.
Even if he no longer resembles the superstar he was in his prime, Canó can still offer value through continued mentoring of Amed Rosario and other inexperienced players. Robbie is also no stranger to the big stage, and his postseason experience could give the Mets a needed lift should they reach October.
Rick Porcello
Porcello is a former Cy Young winner, but he’s more of an innings eater than a truly dominant starter. The 31-year-old right-hander signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Mets this offseason in the hopes he can re-establish his value. The New Jersey native and former Seton Hall Prep star grew up a Mets fan, so the contract represents an opportunity to live out a childhood dream.
Those who dislike the deal will point to the fact that Porcello had the highest ERA of any qualified starter last season at 5.52. However, Porcello might benefit from switching to the National League and from hitter-friendly Fenway Park to the far more spacious Citi Field.
Despite his 2019 struggles, Porcello represents a significant addition to the Mets roster. His greatest attribute is dependability: he’s made at least 27 starts and pitched no fewer than 160 innings in all eleven of his big league seasons. He’s also been on the Injured List just once since breaking into the bigs back in 2009.
As their roster currently stands, the Mets have the luxury of sliding Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman into the rotation if necessary. Even so, they’d love for all five of their projected starters to stay healthy so such a move isn’t needed. With Porcello, health should not be an issue.
As for a rebound in performance, the most encouraging sign for Porcello is that he’s a strike thrower. Nearly thirty-four percent of the pitches he threw in 2019 came when he was ahead in the count, which was the third-highest mark among starters. If he can put hitters away more consistently, Porcello will be more than worth the $10 million price tag.
Searle’s Final Say
The Mets came within three games of a Wild Card berth last year, and they might have reached the postseason had their veteran acquisitions lived up to initial expectations. In 2020, Luis Rojas will need to maximize the production of his veterans, particularly Wilson Ramos, Robinson Canó, and Rick Porcello.
Improved defense from Ramos will greatly benefit the pitching staff, as will the durability of former Cy Young winner Porcello. Likewise, the team’s offense will be more formidable if Canó repeats his second-half success from 2019. If these players perform their duties, the Mets will be in contention throughout the summer.
