NY Mets: 2 player predictions I got horrifically wrong in 2021

The New York Mets had a lot of things go wrong for them in 2021. However, none of these things that went wrong were as bad as these predictions I made before the season started.

I previously published an article about 3 things I got right. True to my word, I must also highlight the bad.

Look at it this way, my prediction was wrong and it cost me pride. The Mets actually paid these guys!

Carlos Carrasco is an exciting pick-up for the Mets

I don’t have to tell you that being a Mets fan comes with heeps of skepticism and distrust. I wrote an article about a lifetime of Mets skepticism not allowing me to be excited about Francisco Lindor. The thought was that it would be a big failure. For most of the season that was the case.

However, the biggest thing I got wrong was putting all my excitement into Carrasco the “real steal of the trade.” Cookie suffered an injury and setback after setback. When he came back, he was not effective at all. Now, he’s even had an offseason surgery to remove born spurs.

Here’s what I wrote originally:

"That is why I’m putting my excitement stock into Cookie Carrasco. He’s coming here as a second fiddle to Lindor. He’s a fighter, someone who has defied the odds of pitching again and beat Leukemia. There isn’t a lot riding on his shoulders and he’s an established pros pro.You would have to figure his numbers may fair better in the National League regardless of the DH because he’s a new face in the division. He’ll be competing with Jacob deGrom and dealing with the brash fierceness of Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard. He’ll also no doubt be seen as a leader with his playoff experience and service time."

As you can read from the above, I wasn’t even close to right with this prediction. It kind of gets worse now…

Mets will once again have a perennial all-star catcher

Are you angry? I am. That sentence about all-star catcher and James McCann has me feeling sick. How could someone be this wrong? Let’s find out!

"2021 will be the first of multiple seasons that James McCann will represent the New York Mets at the all-star game. They have not had a Mets catcher representing the team since LoDuca in 2006. Before that, Mike Piazza was there every single year that he wasn’t injured.McCann will restore that honor to the team this coming season and probably a few more times after that. With his only real competition coming in Realmuto, who could very well be in the American League, the spot is open for the taking."

Well, not only was McCann not an all-star catcher, at one point during the season he became the backup catcher. Aside from a week or two swinging a hot bat, ironically while playing first, McCann was a black hole in the lineup. You’d be hardpressed to find a batter that hit so many weak ground balls to second.

We sold a bag of goods by Sandy Alderson. McCann was THE second-best catcher available to Realmuto, but if the current Philly is a 10, the Mets backstop is a 5.

He provided stability at least, by mostly being available to play every day, unlike the previous catchers of the past decade. He was also an upgrade defensively to Wilson Ramos, but it wasn’t enough to warrant him job security.

Tomas Nido could be entering spring training with a chance to be THE guy…

Let me stop making predictions!

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If you are interested in the things I got right about Brandon Nimmo, Jacob deGrom, and McCann, click here. My next article will be about the things I got half-right and half-wrong.