NY Mets: This is the perfect lineup for the 2021 season

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General manager Sandy Alderson of the New York Mets speaks to the media before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on September 17, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Giants defeated the Mets 8-5. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General manager Sandy Alderson of the New York Mets speaks to the media before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on September 17, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Giants defeated the Mets 8-5. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Aug 18, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (6) throws out a Miami Marlins tase runner in the first inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff McNeil – 2B

At times, it seemed like Jeff McNeil was lost at the plate in 2020. When he was battling injuries and when he crashed into the left field wall at Citi Field, he was not hitting as well as we had been so accustomed to seeing. And to be honest, his numbers weren’t as good as his 2019 numbers were. And with that being said, he still was very, very good in 2020.

He slashed .311/.383/.454 with four home runs and 23 RBI in 183 at-bats. The power certainly wasn’t the same as his 2019 season when he hit 23 home runs. However, the Mets don’t really need him to hit for power. They have plenty of guys who can do that like Alonso, Conforto, and Smith to name a few. The Mets are best served with Nimmo and McNeil as table setters for the middle of the order to drive them in.

Even in a down year, McNeil managed to hit over .300. When he was finally feeling healthy in September and had fixed some of his problems in the batter’s box, McNeil slashed .356/.431/.567 in September with all four of his home runs. McNeil has proven that he is an elite offensive player that belongs at the top of the Mets lineup for years to come.

This also might be his chance to play his natural position. With Robinson Cano suspended for the entirety of the 2021 season, McNeil seems like the best fit to take his spot. With McNeil at his natural position, the team defense improves even more.