5 reasons why the Mets can be sneaky good in 2024

4) The Mets outfield defense should be substantially improved.

Last season, the Mets ranked tied for sixth worst defensive runs saved above average in the outfield with a mark of -16. That was simply not going to cut it for the Mets, a team that had plenty of issues regarding run prevention, an issue that David Stearns wanted to fix immediately.

Last season, 10 of the 12 teams that made the playoffs had a positive DRS above average in the outfield, including all six division winners. With the way the rules changed last year, the athletic teams tended to be rewarded with more activity involved. The Mets did not have a healthy Starling Marte, and Brandon Nimmo regressed defensively from 2022. Their best defensive outfielder, Mark Canha, was traded at the deadline as part of the selloff last summer, and their speedster Tim Locastro, was hurt for most of the year. All those factors turned the outfield defense into a nightmare.

This year, it will change in a big way. The Mets brought in Gold Glove winner Harrison Bader to play center field. Tyrone Taylor, who plays above average defense, will be the team's fourth outfielder, and could be one of the best the Mets have had in a while defensively. Brandon Nimmo moves from center field to left field, as Bader should take pressure off of him, and Starling Marte will enter spring training healthy. And if Drew Gilbert finds a path to the majors, he will help as well.

It also helps that all of the Mets outfielders have strong arms.