2 Mets who have already redeemed themselves, 1 who still has much more to prove

The New York Mets entered this season with a lot of hype around them after having a busy offseason. Despite having many big names on their roster though, many of these players had down seasons last year, which left some wondering if they'd be able to return to form.

Two of these players have rebounded in a big way and proven that they are valuable members of the team. Their rebounds have been integral to the team's hot start to the season in 2022. However, one player has not rebounded and is off to a sluggish start yet again to begin 2022.

Francisco Lindor is looking like the superstar the Mets traded for

When the Mets traded for Francisco Lindor last year and signed him to a 10-year, $341 million extension, they thought they were getting one of the top players in all of baseball to build their franchise around. However, last year many began to question if he was worth that contract after he struggled for much of the season, and looked overmatched at the plate at times.

2022 is a different year though, as Lindor has returned to form, proving that he is not only one of the top shortstops in all of baseball, but he's also one of the league's most exciting stars regardless of position. Lindor isn't just having a great statistical season thus far, he is proving that he is a clutch player, as he has continuously come through in big moments.

Lindor has come up with a walk-off hit, two home runs in the home opener, big hits with runners in scoring position, stolen bases, and some nice plays in the field. Add to that his infectious smile and personality, which seems to resonate inside the locker room, and it's clear that Lindor has emerged as a leader for this Mets team as well.

The Mets needed Lindor to rebound after a poor first season in New York, and now that he's fully acclimated to the city, he is proving he is the player that they traded for and extended. His bat, leadership, speed, and defense have been just what the Mets have needed, and have gone a long way towards proving the Mets are a contender in the National League.

Carlos Carrasco was one of the most consistent pitchers in all of baseball between 2014 and 2018 but has battled injuries and inconsistency since then. Many Mets fans were ecstatic when they found out that not only did they trade for Lindor, but they also got Carrasco in the same trade. However, while Carrasco was expected to be a solid stabilizing presence in the rotation, he battled injuries early in the year, and struggled once he returned, particularly in the first inning of games with home runs.

But, Carrasco has returned to form early this year, and been more everything the Mets hoped he would be and more. Through three starts, Carrasco has pitched to a 1-0 record, with a 1.47 ERA, and 20 strikeouts, in 18.1 innings, according to mlb.com. Even more impressive, Carrasco was the first Mets pitcher to pitch into the eighth inning, going 7.2 innings in his third start of the year.

Carrasco has been extremely effective with mixing up his pitches and using all five of his pitches, including his curveball, which is much sharper then last year, after he had elbow surgery in the offseason. He has been part of a rotation that includes: Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Tylor Megill, and David Peterson, and this group has excelled despite the absence of Jacob deGrom and Taijuan Walker

Carrasco has clearly redeemed himself after a down year last year. While it's unreasonable to him to pitch as excellent as he has early in the season thus far, it's definitely reasonable to expect him to be a key piece of this Mets rotation this year.