Mets' depth should be valuable asset in 2016

Mets' depth should be valuable asset in 2016

Lineup and starting rotation will give Collins plenty of options

February 17th, 2016

This is the fifth in a seven-part Mets Spring Training preview. Next up: Projected Roster.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- No sooner than had the Mets re-acquired Yoenis Cespedes this winter, manager Terry Collins began drawing up lineups. He quickly settled on an initial one he likes, though don't expect Collins to refrain from tinkering; suddenly, his roster is flush with depth, giving the skipper plenty of options heading into the season.
It's important to note that the Mets will play the platoon game regularly in 2016, as has become the trend around the league. But the lineup below offers a decent projection of their most likely eight on any given night.
• Comeback candidates | Newcomers | Prospects to watch | Position battles
The Mets' rotation is similarly flexible. Though the five names below should remain in the rotation until either Zack Wheeler returns from the disabled list or another injury strikes, their order could go any which way. Perhaps Matt Harvey pitches Opening Day, for example. Or maybe it's Jacob deGrom.

These are the types of good problems the Mets have waited years to have. Collins and his staff certainly won't mind fussing over them for the rest of spring.
2015 record
90-72, first in the NL East
Projected batting order

  1. RF Curtis Granderson:
    .259 BA, .364 OBP, .457 SLG, 26 HR, 70 RBI in 2015
  2. 3B David Wright:
    .289 BA, .379 OBP, .434 SLG, 5 HR, 17 RBI in 2015
  3. CF Cespedes:
    .291 BA, .328 OBP, .542 SLG, 35 HR, 105 RBI in 2015
  4. 1B Lucas Duda:
    .244 BA, .352 OBP, .486 SLG, 27 HR, 73 RBI in 2015
  5. 2B Neil Walker:
    .269 BA, .328 OBP, .427 SLG, 16 HR, 71 RBI in 2015
  6. LF Michael Conforto:
    .270 BA, .335 OBP, .506 SLG, 9 HR, 26 RBI in 2015
  7. C Travis d'Arnaud:
    .268 BA, .340 OBP, .485 SLG, 12 HR, 41 RBI in 2015
  8. SS Asdrubal Cabrera:
    .265 BA, .315 OBP, .430 SLG, 15 HR, 58 RBI in 2015
    Projected rotation
  9. deGrom, 14-8, 2.54 ERA in 2015
  10. Harvey, 13-8, 2.71 ERA in 2015
  11. Noah Syndergaard, 9-7, 3.24 ERA in 2015
  12. Steven Matz, 4-0, 2.27 ERA in 2015
  13. Bartolo Colon, 14-13, 4.16 ERA in 2015
    Projected bullpen
    Closer: Jeurys Familia, 43/48 saves, 1.85 ERA in 2015
    RH setup man: Addison Reed, 3.38 ERA in 2015
    LH setup man: Antonio Bastardo, 2.98 ERA in 2015