New York Mets: Three J.D. Davis predictions for the 2020 season

100+ games? No problem for the Sun Bear

In a perfect world, Yoenis Cespedes would be fully recovered from Wild Boar-itis and begin the year as the Opening Day left fielder. Unfortunately, it does not seem likely that this will be the case. Not only do I expect Davis to be the Opening Day left fielder, but I have a feeling that he will get significant playing time this season.

I do think that Cespedes will be back in some form this year and will see time in left field. I also think that in any interleague games in which Cespedes is healthy, he will DH with either Davis or Smith in left field. All of this means that Davis will be in the lineup often, especially if he hits like he did last year.

Davis’s playing time in 2020 is further helped by the departure of Todd Frazier, the everyday third baseman in Flushing last year. In Frazier’s absence, McNeil slots in perfectly as the new man at the hot corner for the Mets, meaning that Davis will probably be playing a lot more left field than third base this year. However, if Robinson Cano gets injured, McNeil is likely the first man up to replace him at second, leaving Davis with an open spot to occasionally fill in at third if the need arises.

With the recent news of Michael Conforto’s tweaked side injury, Davis becomes even more important to the team’s early-season success, especially if Conforto has to miss significant time.

If Davis can stay healthy, as he did last year, I believe he’ll be a regular fixture in the Mets’ lineup once again in 2020.