NL East Offseason Rankings: #3 New York Mets

The NL East has been a pretty quiet division as far as free agency is concerned this year. The Braves, Nats, and Phillies have made little to no moves and the Marlins did pick up Saltalamacchia. The number 3 team on my division list has made the biggest splash among the 5 teams is the New York Mets, and I think those moves could push them up to finish 3rd in the division.

Shrek, I mean Bartolo Colon will have a lot to
teach the young rotation in 2014.

The team went out and signed Bartolo Colon to their starting rotation, which was better than average last season. After going through a few tough seasons in 2009 and 2010, Colon had two great seasons in Oakland for a 38 and 39 year old guy. In 30 starts last season, he won 18 games and had an era of 2.65. Him putting those numbers up again at the age of 40 does seem quite unlikely. The signing of Colon rang bells though, in the thinking that Matt Harvey will not pitch in the 2014 season. Soon after his Tommy John surgery late during last season, he said that his rehab was "ahead of schedule" but most seem to think that he will not pitch in the majors again until 2015.

Other than Colon, the starting rotation is pretty solid. Dylan Gee, Zack Wheeler, and Jonathan Niese will receive loads of help from the veteran pitcher and could be better than they were last season. If you figure them equally, the 3 of them had an average ERA of around 3.53, which is pretty good for a group of two 27 year olds and a 23 year old (Wheeler). If Bobbly Parnell can get any help from his other bullpen mates, this entire pitching staff could be something that all teams dread when they play the Mets.

The talk of their pitching was exciting in 2013, but we know what is coming this year. Now, in order to win, they have to hit.They ranked 29th in all of baseball in total batting average and slugging percentage last season, and 25th in on-base percentage. That is almost Miami Marlins bad there. They only had 5 guys hit double digit home runs, and lost their home run leader from last season, Marlon Byrd. They lost another one of their home run hitters in John Buck to free agency. While giving up Buck, they have given the starting job to Travis d'Arnaud. I'll admit that I'm excited to see this guy catch a full season. In just 31 games, the young man hit only .202 but I feel like he has had some growing up to do and will succeed at his position.

David Wright hit 18 home runs in 112 games, and you must assume that he is going to get his hits if he can play a full season. However, Ike Davis has proven himself, well, bad hitting only .205 last season even when the Mets sent him to AAA to "figure his swing out." If he can return to his 2012 ways of hitting 30 home runs, I think the team will be quite pleased.

If healthy, Granderson can be a game-changer
for the Mets.

Another addition that may add to the production of the Met's lineup is Curtis Granderson. This was a huge signing, considering that Granderson is coming off of a contract with the New York Yankees and was asking for 4 years and 60 million dollars in a contract. That is huge considering that he just came off a season where he missed 101 games due to an injury. However, at his best, Granderson can give the Mets 25+30 home runs, steal a few bases, and play decent-to-good center field. If he doesn't produce, this team is in trouble financially and at the plate during the 2014 season.

With their moves and their potential, the Mets have gotten me to believe in them somewhat. Not winning the division, but out of 4th and 5th place this season. They may contend up until September or they may be out of the race before the All-Star break, but this is a team to watch this coming season with the young talent they have.