New York Mets: Four bold predictions for the offense in 2020

Jed Lowrie gets over 450 plate appearances and hits around 30 doubles

If this Mets offense is to take the next step up in potency and impact for 2020, it’s got to see not only Yoenis Cespedes find his way back into the everyday starting line up, but it’s also got to see Jed Lowrie live up to his potential as well.

Both Lowrie and Cespedes were in the Witness Protection Program for nearly all of 2019 and both are going to have to finally show up if the Mets want to contend for an NL East division title in 2020.

Prior to last year’s non-existent performance, Lowrie was averaging 155 games started and over 580 official at-bats in 2017 and 2018 for the Oakland Athletics. In that time he was a doubles hitting machine who had the versatility to play multiple infield positions. With Todd Frazier now off the team and Dominic Smith more than likely about to get traded, this means that Lowrie will have more of a back up super-utility role off the bench for 2020.

With an ability to play second base, third base or shortstop, Lowrie will more than likely be one key injury away from being an everyday starter for some long period of time this upcoming season. If he himself can stay healthy and rebound from a dismal 2019, Lowrie can easily see himself playing the role Wilmer Flores used to play for the Mets not so many seasons ago.

Remember, Flores was used in the role of super-utility and got anywhere from 375 to 450 official at-bats a season playing all over the infield for the Mets. As a result of the 162 game grind teams go through over a six-month span, as well as the potential for Robinson Cano to struggle once again offensively in 2020 and possibly get benched, the opportunity to have a nice bounce-back season for Jed Lowrie may not be as far away as we think.

If Lowrie regains his offensive form in 2020, 25 to 30 doubles in 450 official at-bats is definitely a goal that will be well within his reach.