Mets: Is 2018 a World Series or bust year for the Amazins?

If the New York Mets don’t win the World Series this year, is it a wasted season?

The 2018 season is only a few weeks old but so much has happened across the league that it would make you think we were a week away from the All-Star break. The New York Mets started the season off as hot as can be, but they have come back down to earth a little bit as they sit atop the NL East with a record of 15-8 before their road trip takes them to San Diego.

Now it is way too early to think about standings but with the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies breathing down the Mets’ necks in the early going, it phrases the question: is 2018 the last chance for the New York Mets to go for a World Series title?

If you look at this roster from top to bottom it is not exactly the youngest group of athletes. This is a team that went to the world series in 2015 and failed to achieve their goal. They got there on the strength of their young pitchers but since then have added some age on the offensive side of the ball.

More from Rising Apple

• NY Mets Free Agent Retrospective: Daniel Murphy becomes an enemy
• NY Mets: 1 major award you didn’t realize the team has never won
• NY Mets: Trade market for starting pitchers feels non-existent
• NY Mets prospect Eric Orze has the stuff to become a future closer
• NY Mets Rumors: 1 big threat to steal 2 Flushing free agents

Three out of four of their infielders are over the age of 30 and not to say the veterans can’t get it done, but if you look at the Braves and Phillies, they are younger and could have overall better talent than the Mets in 2019 and beyond.

The Phillies have been in rebuild mode for a while now but they can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The signing of Jake Arrieta to a short-term deal proves that the front office is confident that they are ready to contend. Rhys Hoskins burst onto the scene last season and has already racked up 4 home runs and 19 RBI’s this year. Pair that up with all-star Odubel Herrera who always puts up consistent numbers (.341 BA, leads team), and position players who have upside such as J.P. Crawford and Nick Williams and you have a nice young core.

Plus don’t forget the Phillies boat load of pitching prospects thanks to the heist they pulled off when trading Ken Giles to the Houston Astros.

Meanwhile in Atlanta, recently called up outfielder Ronald Acuna (4 for 9, 3 runs scored in 2018) and former number one overall draft pick Dansby Swanson are making some noise as well. Ender Inciarte is flashing his leather in center field daily as he makes his way to another gold glove season and their pitching staff posting a respectable 3.69 ERA, do have other starting pitchers in their system as well.

But what about the Mets?

Michael Conforto is a young stud and so is Amed Rosario. The verdict has not yet been declared for young first baseman Dominic Smith and their pitching staff still has the stuff to go toe to toe with the best teams in baseball.

But the Mets do not have a lot in the system when it comes to offense. Their top prospect is a shortstop known more for his glove than his bat. Pitching is an integral key to a great team but it is still possible to lose games 1-0 or 2-1.

Next: Honeymoon with Mickey Callaway is over

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

The Mets are built to compete in 2018 no doubt about it, but the future is very bleak making this year a world series or bust year.