Three Mets surprises we could see during the 2021 season

2 of 4

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Nick Rumbelow #71, Brad Brach #29, Noah Syndergaard #34 and Kevin Smith #84 of the New York Mets wait to pitch during the team workout at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

One of the greatest things about baseball is how unpredictable the game is. In 2021, the New York Mets are in store for a handful of surprises.

Months before the 2020 MLB season, the New York Mets offseason moves had some believing the team could push for a playoff spot. An all-star worthy campaign was expected from Amed Rosario after his hot finish in 2019. And it seemed like Edwin Diaz was a lost cause.

Then in 2021, a pandemic hit, and everything changed. Marcus Stroman and Yoenis Cespedes opted out. The team did not come close to a playoff berth.

Yet breakout seasons from Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith brought hope for 2021. They were amazing surprises. And of course, the Wilpons selling the team to Steve Cohen was the biggest surprise of them all.

The bottom line is nobody knows exactly what is going to happen. When things do not go as planned, whether good or bad, they are considered a surprise. And no team is going to have more surprises in 2021 than the New York Mets.

The team has a young manager who now has one season under his belt and a bright future. New York has a high upside offense, led by Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil. And it is to be seen if Cohen and Sandy Alderson are even done improving on the roster this offseason.

There is a lot of hope surrounding this team once again as they hope to be a challenger in the NL East this season, and the National League as a whole. Keeping that in mind, it would not be a normal Mets season if it were not for a few surprises to come with it.

Here are three surprises for the Mets that could come in 2021.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Edwin Diaz #39 (R) and Robinson Chirinos #26 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on September 05, 2020 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Phillies 5-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Mets bullpen carries the pitching staff

For the past few years, nobody has modeled consistency like starting pitcher Jacob deGrom. The 32-year-old once again will be the face of the Mets’ pitching staff, joined by Marcus Stroman. But who else will be joining him?

On the roster, Seth Lugo, David Peterson, Steven Matz, and Robert Gsellman could fill out the remainder of the Mets starting rotation. Although, Lugo and Gsellman are best out of the bullpen. Peterson showed promising flashes but in a small sample size last season. Meanwhile, who knows what Matz will provide.

The Mets starting rotation is in flux, as the bullpen is set to finally have stability. Closer Edwin Diaz and veteran Jeurys Familia are both coming off of bounce-back campaigns. Diaz quietly posted a 1.75ERA with 50 strikeouts in just 25.2 innings, while Familia’s ERA went down from 5.70 to 3.71.

Not to mention, the Mets will be getting full seasons out of Dellin Betances and Miguel Castro. Betances, last offseason’s big signing, had injuries linger through 2020. As for Castro, who was acquired at the deadline his past season, never really settled in.

New York will also have free agent signing Trevor May joining the group, as well as Brad Bach, Drew Smith, amongst others providing plenty of options. And that does not even include if Lugo and Gsellman return to the bullpen if the Mets look elsewhere to fill out the rotation. Without a doubt, it would be huge for the Mets if they could rely on the bullpen given the questions in the rotation in 2021.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets slides safely into home plate in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies as teammate Pete Alonso #20 looks on at Citizens Bank Park on September 17, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Mets wait until the trade deadline to make a move

All off-season long, fans across baseball have been wondering what the Mets do. After all, that is the attention that comes with having Steve Cohen buy the team, thus, becoming the richest owner in the sport.

Not only the Mets have been a hot name with every top available free agent, but the trade market too. Players like Indians’ Francisco Lindor, Rockies’ Nolan Arenado, and more have come up in rumors. Yet, no legitimate negotiations have come about.

When the San Diego Padres’ acquired star pitchers Yu Darvish and Blake Snell, Cohen even commented as to why the Mets cannot make such a move.

Hey , Give the Padres credit. They had a top 5 farm system that gave them flexibility to trade for Snell. Newsflash, the Mets farm system needs to be replenished .
— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) December 29, 2020

The Mets currently lack top-end talent near-majors ready, and fans remain haunted by the awaiting debut of Jarred Kelenic for the Mariners. Whether the Mets want to or not, making a trade involving their farm system this off-season is not a smart move.

However, come midseason, things could change. The Mets have high hopes entering 2021 to return to the playoffs for the first time in 2016. Plus, they are expected to have plenty of major league depth that could be moved.

The battle for the team’s starting shortstop between Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario could leave the loser as a young, attractive trade-chip. Not to mention if they play well it could improve their trade value. The same could go for J.D. Davis or Dominic Smith, who will continue to hear their names in trade rumors this season.

The 2020 season was an odd one, and teams are going to want to see if players can improve or continue their success from it. That being said, with the Mets’ best trade chips on the team already, do not expect a move until the trade deadline.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 03: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch in warm ups before the spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Clover Park on March 03, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Noah Syndergaard’s returns to form

As mentioned earlier, the Mets starting rotation is in flux. deGrom is going to continue his amazing run he is on. But who knows what Stroman has to offer after a year off, or if Matz can even be a reliable arm? As for the free agent market, there is a steep drop off from Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer, and even he has been inconsistent from year-to-year.

With so many questions in the rotation, the Mets are going to be counting down the days until the return of Noah Syndergaard. “Thor,” who is coming off of Tommy John surgery, is hoped to return around June to the All-Star break in July. Should this happen, Syndergaard would return to pitch through at least all of September and October. In other words, just in time for a playoff push.

Of course, Noah Syndergaard is unlikely to return to his 2016 All-Star self, where he pitched a 2.60ERA with 218 strikeouts. But it is not impossible to think that this long break could allow him to return to a dominant form. Syndergaard has always had the talent to be a high-end starter and is certainly eager to return to the mound.

Should Syndergaard return, he immediately provides a dangerous hurler to the Mets rotation. It is easy to forget that with the exception of his 4.28ERA in 2019, Syndergaard’s previous career-low ERA was 3.24 his rookie season.

Next. Three Mets who will not be back after 2021

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Look out Atlanta Braves, because if the Mets add a healthy and hurling Noah Syndergaard to their already super-talented roster, they will be coming for that NL East crown in 2021.

Home / New York Mets News

One of the greatest things about baseball is how unpredictable the game is. In 2021, the New York Mets are in store for a handful of surprises.

Mets bullpen carries the pitching staff

Mets wait until the trade deadline to make a move

Noah Syndergaard’s returns to form

Schedule