As  this upcoming baseball season approaches, there is a different energy surrounding the New York Mets.  Ever since their World Series appearance in 2015, the Mets have turned in a few disappointing seasons.  However, this past off season, the Wilpon family sold the team to Steve Cohen, a long-time Mets fan.  Steve is the wealthiest owner in baseball, and has given the go-ahead to his front office to be as aggressive as possible to bring the Commissioner’s Trophy back to Flushing.  

Even after a disappointing 24-36 record during the shortened pandemic season, the Mets are returning an extremely talented roster.  In addition to Jacob DeGrom, arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Noah Syndagaard and Marcus Stroman are set to pitch in 2021 after both missed the entirety of the 2020 season (Syndagaard had Tommy John surgery and Stroman opted out due to Covid).  The lineup was very impressive last season as New York led the league with a .272 batting average.  Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, Dominic Smith, and Brandon Nimmo have a perfect combination of power and contact hitting.  However, Steve Cohen, Mets  President Sandy Anderson, and General Manager Jared Porter have been looking for those last few pieces to become a dominant team.  

The Mets have been quite busy this offseason, highlighted by signing reliever Trevor May and catcher James McCann.  However, the biggest move of the offseason came on Jan. 7, when the Mets officially traded Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, and two prospects for All Star Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco.  This trade took the Mets from being a talented team to potentially winning the World Series.  Francisco Lindor is a franchise altering player.  

“Lindor has extremely quick hands and a smooth swing.  It is a great trade for the Mets and they are one step closer to being a top team in the league,” said senior Jake Spyrida. 

Lindor is considered the top shortstop in the game at only 27 years old.  He is a career .285 hitter and will prove as a tremendous defensive upgrade up the middle.  Another important aspect is that Lindor has postseason experience, unlike much of the Mets roster.  The Indians have been one of the best teams in the league with Lindor, and the furthest they made it was in 2016 when they lost to the Cubs in Game 7 of the World Series.  

“Trading for Lindor was a huge move for the Mets and Steve Cohen, making them serious contenders.  Adding arguably a top 10 player to that team is just what they needed.  Fans need to keep their eyes out for the Mets,” said senior Luke Fain.

The next order of business will be resigning Lindor.  “Mr. Smiles,” as he’s known for his contagious smile, is in the last year of his contract.  The Mets will probably look into signing him to a deal similar to Mookie Betts’s  last year when he signed with the Dodgers on an expiring contract.