Mets head into camp with roster mostly set
Return of Harvey the big story in rotation; lineup, bullpen mainly established
NEW YORK -- Outside of the hubbub surrounding Matt Harvey, Spring Training on Florida's Treasure Coast should be atypically quiet this year. Few of the position battles that usually dominate Mets camp are issues this year, with the starting lineup and rotation all but set. Even the bench and bullpen appear static heading into camp.
In Part 5 of MLB.com's Spring Training preview, we take a look at the Mets' projected lineup, rotation and bullpen. Things can always change, of course, and some aspects of the following -- most notably the order of Mets starting pitchers -- can go in any number of directions. But the foundation is in place.
On offense, David Wright, Lucas Duda, Michael Cuddyer and Curtis Granderson will anchor a lineup with question marks lurking at the top and bottom. Though Juan Lagares, Travis d'Arnaud and Wilmer Flores are all locked into their positions and lineup spots, how they perform offensively remains to be seen.
Video: Harvey discusses his health entering Spring Training
In the rotation, the Mets could still carry Dillon Gee over one of the five starters listed below, though he appears to be the odd man out entering camp -- and he said Monday that he is willing to go to the bullpen if needed. The Mets also must choose an Opening Day starter, with Jon Niese and Zack Wheeler the leading candidates. Though Harvey is the nominal ace in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, the Mets could hold him until the home opener. And the team may prefer to give the assignment to either Niese or Wheeler over Jacob deGrom, the least established member of the rotation.
Only two bullpen jobs appear up for grabs, with the back end of the relief corps well established. In addition to the three names below, Vic Black and Carlos Torres are in fine shape heading into camp.
2014 record
79-83, T-2nd in the National League East
Projected batting order
1. OF Juan Lagares:
.281 BA, .321 OBP, .382 SLG, 4 HR, 47 RBIs in 2014
2. 2B Daniel Murphy :
.289 BA, .332 OBP, .403 SLG, 9 HR, 57 RBIs in 2014
3. 3B David Wright:
.269 BA, .324 OBP, .374 SLG, 8 HR, 63 RBIs in 2014
4. 1B Lucas Duda:
.253 BA, .349 OBP, .481 SLG, 30 HR, 92 RBIs in 2014
5. OF Michael Cuddyer:
.332 BA, .376 OBP, .579 SLG, 10 HR, 31 RBIs in 2014
6. OF Curtis Granderson:
.227 BA, .326 OBP, .388 SLG, 20 HR, 66 RBIs in 2014
7. C Travis d'Arnaud:
.242 BA, .302 OBP, .416 SLG, 13 HR, 41 RBIs in 2014
8. SS Wilmer Flores:
.251 BA, .286 OBP, .378 SLG, 6 HR, 29 RBIs in 2014
Projected rotation
1. Matt Harvey, Did not pitch in 2014
2. Zack Wheeler, 11-11, 3.54 ERA in 2014
3. Jacob deGrom , 9-6, 2.69 ERA in 2014
4. Jon Niese, 9-11, 3.40 ERA in 2014
5. Bartolo Colon , 15-13, 4.09 ERA in 2014
Projected bullpen
Closer: Jenrry Mejia , 28/31 saves, 3.65 ERA in 2014
RH setup man: Jeurys Familia , 2.21 ERA in 2014
LH setup man: Josh Edgin , 1.32 ERA in 2014