NY Mets: 3 ways the team failed, 3 ways they succeeded in 2021

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 24: Javier Baez #23 of the New York Mets tries to catch rain drops leaking through the roof in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on September 24, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

What words are there to describe the 2021 New York Mets season? If you can’t deal with an imbalance of emotions, you might have had a tough time getting through.

The Mets were in first place for so long. They had no business being there and yet there they were. For months we tuned in to see or hear the first place Mets rally together more wins. How did they do it? It must have been magic.

As we conclude this year for the blue and orange, it’s time to start looking back at where the team failed but also where they succeeded.

The Mets failed to take advantage of a weak National League East

The National League East was the weakest of divisions in 2021. For the longest time, it looked like 82 wins might win it.

Of course, schedules started to become a little more balanced or less balanced depending on how you want to look at them. The NL East teams played each other a bit more and they took turns beating up on the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals. The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies pulled away while the Mets sunk into a hole.

This was a year where the Mets didn’t have to be their best to win a spot in the postseason. In fact, until they helped awaken the St. Louis Cardinals in September, the Wild Card was even a slim possibility.

Sadly, there wasn’t enough gas in this tank to get them beyond 162 games.

Imagine being a Mets and New York Giants fan. It’s almost like a repeat of the 2020-2021 NFL season all over again.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Javier Baez #23 of the New York Mets celebrates after scoring the winning run in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins with teammates Brandon Nimmo #9, Dominic Smith #2 and Pete Alonso #20 at Citi Field on August 31, 2021 in New York City. This is a continuation of the April 11 game which was suspended due to inclement weather. The Mets defeated the Marlins 6-5. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The Mets succeeded at overcoming the distractions

Despite having an owner I think most people trust, there were plenty of distractions around the ball club this year. I guess you could say it all started with Jared Porter getting fired and continued throughout the year for one reason or another.

I often wonder, do teams in other cities deal with this much craziness or is it just the Mets?

The distractions the team faced didn’t just occur away from the field with a pair of general managers embarrassing themselves. The players also got in on the action.

Easily the biggest story was the players’ decision to start giving the fans a thumbs down. It was a late August story nobody expected to see. Mets fans had never been punched back by the players. It left a sour taste in the mouths of many.

The team did bounce back two days later with a huge comeback against the Marlins with Javier Baez, the one who spilled the beans on the thumbs, coming up clutch. Unfortunately, by this time, wins didn’t matter much.

Distractions didn’t seem to sway the Mets one way or another this season. Their poor play is what led to their downfall. If there’s a consolation to grab from this, at least we know they can handle some adversity.

Sep 24, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill (38) reacts after giving up back-to-back home runs in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

The Mets failed with their starting rotation

There was no actual moment when we crossed a line with this failure. The team appeared to do a lot of things right in the offseason. There was depth. There was talent. Everything looked surmountable.

What the team didn’t anticipate was the lengthy loss of Jacob deGrom, continued IL stint and rehabs from Noah Syndergaard, and the absolute collapse of just about everyone else in the second half.

A far more minor blow than some others the rotation received, they even lost Joey Lucchesi and David Peterson to season-ending injuries. What could go wrong, did go sideways.

The worst part about it all might be that there’s no one single person to blame. A lot of what made this a failure is the unexpected. Taijuan Walker was definitely pitching above expectations in the first half. That doesn’t help when we factor in how rough it has been to watch him pitch post-All-Star Break. Tylor Megill has also seemingly hit a wall while Carlos Carrasco hasn’t been the reliable veteran starter we hoped he could be.

It was an ugly season for the Mets starting pitchers as a whole. It’s tough to imagine, in only early July, deGrom was on his way to an MVP and one of the most magnificently pitched years in MLB history.

Jul 18, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Trevor May (65) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Mets succeeded at building a credible bullpen

For as underwhelmed as I was with the starting rotation this year, the exact opposite can be said about the bullpen. Even if Aaron Loup is the only guy pitching remarkably well, the collaborative effort by everyone has made them a success.

I don’t care how much heartbreak there was at times, how much Luis Rojas may have mismanaged them, or what the numbers say. After the last few years of having zero trust in the Mets relievers, this group has been a breath of fresh air—I’m talking blind date “holy *bleep* they look fine,” pop a whole pack of mints in your mouth kind of fresh.

Closer Edwin Diaz has had his battles. For the most part, he has been a trustworthy member of the bullpen this year whether some people will admit it or not.

Aside from the last man from the ‘pen, we have gotten good years from Trevor May and Miguel Castro along with the steadiest reliever of all for the last several seasons, Seth Lugo. All three have played different roles for the Mets this season in relief. Each leaves the 2021 campaign successful.

Finally, from the successful category, we have to acknowledge Jeurys Familia. All but written off entirely at the start of this year, he had a more than satisfactory 2021.

Although these names don’t make up every reliever we have seen in the bullpen this year, they were used the most and deserve a tip of the cap.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – JULY 20: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets walks back to the dugout after striking out in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 20, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The Mets failed to hit when they needed to most

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of all failures was the inability to hit the ball. The team was especially bad at driving in runs with runners on second/and or third base. In baseball lingo, this is referred to as “runners in scoring position.” For the 2021 Mets, there’s no scoring position because so many were stranded.

The 2021 Mets roster doesn’t have too many awesome numbers to cite. Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo are the two best with Javier Baez added in with far fewer games. Everyone else played below what the club needed.

It’s quite astounding how poorly this offense performed. From the onset of the season, it was a major weakness despite all of the credible names they could bring to the plate each night.

Unlike the failures of the starting rotation, the offense doesn’t get an excuse. They had too many healthy bodies to produce runs this year. Up and down the lineup, each player seemed to take turns killing rallies.

It’s tough to diagnose the exact problem. Is it the team’s approach at the plate? Can we fire another hitting coach?

The end result might not have changed much with a more potent offense. Nevertheless, it’s a major area the club needs to address this offseason.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Fans how their support for Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets before the team plays the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on April 23, 2021 in New York City. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Mets defeated the Nationals 6-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The Mets succeeded at keeping fans optimistic about the future

Yes, this season didn’t go the way any Mets fan had hoped for. October vacation plans were put on hold early on. It would be a month to watch the team go to the Promised Land. Not so fat.

The Mets may not have made the 2021 postseason but fans remain optimistic about the future for a variety of reasons. The change in ownership last winter helps. We can add a few other reasons why fans aren’t ready to give up the sport entirely or put on a disgusting Yankees cap.

The Mets adore their top prospects and whether you like them or not, many performed incredibly well in the minor leagues this season. Even if the farm isn’t as deep as we may want, there are some credible numbers coming up the pipeline.

But before they can have an impact, the Mets are going to need their major leaguers to contribute. The team has some very good players coming back next year. There’s no sign of a rebuild coming either.

I suspect we’ll find the Cohen-ran Mets clubs implore a few different strategies until something works. Last winter, they tried to play it cool and smart with what they did. This upcoming offseason, they should spend a little more freely but not bankrupt themselves by any stretch.

If you’re a Mets fan with even an ounce of patience left, you’re probably feeling good about what lies ahead. With some exciting front office possibilities, how can you not?

Next. Worst pitching staffs in Mets history

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