For a team that gets constantly criticized for taking too long to make any kind of moves in the free agency market, the Mets didn't waste any time this year to make a splash. On November 10th, the team signed Michael Cuddyer to a 2 year, $21 Million contract to fill a much needed hole in right field. Although the Mets did have to give up their first round draft pick in 2015, they were able to keep a hold on their surplus of young, exciting pitchers. In the end, I think that this will be a good, but not great signing for this team. Time will tell though.
Biggest Need: Shortstop
I feel that this is their biggest need to help them contend for a post-season spot, and possibly a spot in the World Series. The team is currently testing the market, but also says that they are willing to stay in house to fill that position. I however feel that if they are to get significantly better, they definitely have to bring in someone through free agency or a trade. Ever since Jose Reyes left the team, there output from that position hasn't been very good. Offensively, they have to bring someone that is going to get on base a lot more than the two guys they had last year, Rueben Tejada and Wilmer Flores.
Outlook
In a division that definitely isn't going to raise eyebrows, I think that with the addition of Cuddyer, a new shortstop, and continued output from their pitching staff, I definitely see this team making some noise come October of 2015. Will they win the division, probably not. I do feel that they can make a run at one of the two wildcard spots though. If they can have a healthy David Wright, and if Curtis Granderson plays to his standards that he set when he was across town in the Bronx, the Mets will surprise a lot of people this year.
Bold Prediction
My bold prediction for the Mets this season: 90 wins, second in the NL East, and a loss in the National League Divisional series against the Chicago Cubs. Yes I said the Chicago Cubs. Time will tell if this Mets team is finally going to prove all the critics wrong and become a great team again.
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