Mets Season Preview: Final record predictions

Mar 9, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets right fielder Michael Cuddyer (23) bats against the Miami Marlins during the spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Punzalan, Staff Writer:

I call myself an optimist. For the first time in almost ten years, I feel like the Mets are going to be really, really good. Therefore, I predict the Mets will be going 162-0 this year and anything less will be extremely disappointing.

Oh, it’s not April Fool’s Day anymore? Well, here’s my real prediction: I think the Mets can give the Nationals a run for their money, but at the end of the day, our beloved Metropolitans will have to settle for that Wild Card berth.

Losing Zack Wheeler to Tommy John Surgery was definitely a damper on the Mets’ outlook for this season, but it shouldn’t affect the team that much. Why? Because the Mets have enough arms to make up for his projected 11 wins, according to Fangraphs. Dillon Gee will fill the void in the rotation, followed by Rafael Montero and/or Noah Syndergaard. Those three pitchers should be sufficient enough to cover those hypothetical 11 wins.

The most important thing for the Mets is the fact that they are bringing back their core offensive players plus the addition of Michael Cuddyer. A healthy and consistent lineup, along with the help of new hitting coach Kevin Long, should be able to produce numbers better than last year’s .239/.308/.364 triple slash.

The key phrase for the Mets this year is “healthy and consistent.” If the Mets stay away from any major injuries and avoid any sort of prolonged slump, they’ll be in good shape to finally play some meaningful baseball in September and October.

Final record: 86-76 (2nd in N.L. East), Second Wild Card

Next: Laura Pollack's Mets final record prediction