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Three New York Mets with the best chance to win an MVP

By Tim Boyle |
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – MARCH 09: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets looks on against the Miami Marlins during a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 09, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA – MARCH 09: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets looks on against the Miami Marlins during a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 09, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The New York Mets have yet to have an MVP winner. Fortunately, the current roster does have a few contenders for the award given to the best player in the league.

Something’s missing from the New York Mets history books. It’s an MVP winner.

Although the team has had multiple pitchers win the Cy Young, plenty of men who took home the Rookie of the Year, and winners of the other awards, it’s the MVP that has alluded them.

On the current Mets roster, there are a few candidates who could one day take it home and represent the orange and blue in doing so. Which Met can break the drought?

Pete Alonso

I think Pete Alonso is the most obvious candidate. After seeing him crush 53 home runs in 2019 as a rookie, the sky is the limit for this young slugger.

MVP votes tend to lean heavily toward power. That’s because with power comes great responsibility. And with great responsibility, there are a ton of RBI and other statistics.

Alonso’s power doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. It’s his best attribute and the reason why he’s in the big leagues. Without it, he’s an average player at best. Because his bat has plenty of jolt in it, he’s a big leaguer and someone who could one day carry the MVP trophy home to Flushing.

Two more considerations we must include are his age and visibility to the public. Alonso will have more shots to win an MVP for the Mets than other guys like Michael Conforto—an honoree for this list but not an actual name I will discuss. Even if Alonso does walk in free agency when he reaches that stage of his career, the Mets have him under control for several more seasons.

There’s also the matter of how visible he is to the public. Alonso is a star around baseball and I think as the team gets better (fingers crossed) he’ll become more recognizable to fans from Kalamazoo to Walla Walla.

In part, the MVP vote is based on popularity. Alonso checks off this box as well as the others.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 11: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park at on March 11, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 11: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park at on March 11, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Jacob deGrom

It’s not unheard of for a pitcher to win the MVP. It has been done several times before and a Jacob deGrom MVP season does feel possible. A repeat of what he did in 2018 or something close to it plus a Mets trip to the postseason and little contention from position players should seal the deal for deGrom.

We can usually count on deGrom to be right there in the running for a Cy Young each year. An MVP, as unlikely as it is, may be next on his personal mountain to climb.

Clayton Kershaw was the last pitcher to win an MVP. His 2014 numbers included a 21-3 record with a 1.77 ERA. The big difference between that season and what deGrom managed in 2018 is quite obvious: wins.

It was a similar story in 2011 when Justin Verlander won his MVP from the mound. His season included a 24-5 record and 2.40 ERA.

Using these two pitchers as an example, it seems deGrom can do it if his offense ever starts to give him even average run support.

Whenever a pitcher win the MVP, there has to be no question they were the most important player in the league to their team. It’s not always easy when you play every fifth day. Position players have such a distinct advantage. Plus, many voters may feel the Cy Young is the equivalent honor.

Tom Seaver never won an MVP and even in Dwight Gooden’s historic season he failed to capture it.

Strictly looking at 2020 and an expected shorter than usual year, I think a pitcher has an even better chance to capture the MVP Award. Often, a pitcher’s numbers dip over time. With fewer starts, the odds stack in their favor.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 08: Amed Rosario #1 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 08: Amed Rosario #1 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Amed Rosario

Finally, there’s shortstop Amed Rosario. Jeff McNeil is also a great candidate but I feel he lacks one thing Rosario has: speed.

On offense, McNeil reigns supreme in most categories. He’s a proven .300 hitter with pop. Meanwhile, Rosario has yet to fully reach his potential.

Don’t get me wrong; Rosario is a long way away from winning an MVP. However, I can see an opportunity for him to have some of dazzling campaign where he puts it all together with a .300+ average, 30 stolen bases, and 25 home runs.

The kind of year I’m thinking Rosario has in his future would resemble what Jimmy Rollins did in 2007. The Philadelphia Phillies shortstop hit only .296 with a .344 OBP but led the league with 139 runs scored on a team that made the playoffs. Rollins did manage to put together a 30-30 season with 30 home runs and 41 stolen bases.

I know baseball is different now. But why can’t Rosario go a little nuts with his legs and run away with an MVP?

There are areas of his game Rosario still needs to improve upon. Let’s not forget. He’s only 24 and has been a big leaguer for two and a half seasons.

Although Rosario may be further away from many Mets at winning an MVP, I’ll remain optimistic. Somewhere in his game, there may be a year where he puts it all together.

Next. Which Mets starter is most likely to get an extension?

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As is the case with deGrom, Rosario will need a little help from his team in the standings. If there ever is a year where he stars with the Mets and the club pushes its way into the postseason, there’s a really good chance we see him become the first player in franchise history to win this prestigious piece of hardware.

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