Mets Season Preview: Who’s the most integral Met?

Mar 7, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) hits a double against the Atlanta Braves during the spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Weiss, Staff Writer:

If Matt Harvey returns to top form after missing all of 2014, the Mets will succeed. If Michael Cuddyer hits like he did in Colorado, the Mets will succeed. If Wilmur Flores proves why he was at one time one of baseball’s top prospects, the Mets will succeed.

But possibly the biggest question mark surrounding the team lies in New York’s highest paid player, David Wright; a franchise third baseman who has been the team’s most stable asset over the past decade.

Injuries have plagued the veteran over the past couple of seasons, and that has contributed to reduced home run, RBI and batting average totals. His home run against the Yankees in Spring Training was his first homer since July 2014.

As Sports Illustrated put it in their annual MLB Preview, “They keep moving in the fences for David Wright, and they’ll keep doing it until he can actually hit some home runs.”

The pitching staff, fielding and hitting at many positions is stable. CF Curtis Granderson finished his 2014 campaign on a high note. C Travis d’Arnaud figured out his game midseason and 1B Lucas Duda posed career numbers. The captain has the opportunity to rebound from a couple of rough seasons. The Mets need him to do so.

Next: Laura Pollack's pick for most integral Met