Mets 2017 Season Preview: Which player is most likely to surprise?

Darren Martino, Staff Writer

My player most likely to surprise in 2017 is Curtis Granderson. Entering the fourth and final year of his contract with the Mets, the stakes have never been higher for Granderson.

Not only will he be playing for a new contract but also he will be doing so while vying for playing time over Michael Conforto, Jay Bruce, and Juan Lagares in the Mets’ crowded outfield.

Granderson will be entering the year as a 36-year-old (his birthday is March 16th) and will be looking to prove that he still has “it.” It will only benefit him on the open market if he is able to show that he can play multiple positions, so expect him to be on board with playing center field now and then.

Hitting in a much more powerful lineup than ever before may also allow him to hit for more power than he has shown over the last few years.

Granderson has been one of the best Mets free agent signings in recent memory and is always a clubhouse leader on and off the field. I believe that his work ethic will amount to big play in 2017.