3 big improvements the Mets have already made

Everything, everyone, and every team can always get better. The New York Mets are no exception. Falling short of the playoffs and below .500 in 2021, they had several major needs to address.

The offseason, as never-ending as it feels at the moment, is far from over. When the MLB lockout finally ends, the Mets will have an opportunity to address other needs of theirs.

However, they have already made three major improvements.

The top of the Mets starting lineup is set with multiple options

Who bats leadoff for the Mets in 2022? Do they go with the familiar option of Brandon Nimmo or try taking advantage of Starling Marte’s speed and put him number one? The Mets can’t go wrong. Rising Apple’s Michael Cahill made the argument in favor of putting Marte first and having Mark Canha behind him.

The Mets have some quicker guys, ones with OBP skills, and a couple of ways they can formulate their lineups next season. In previous seasons, the debates were less strong. Nimmo has been the best fit to bat leadoff for them. This season, things are murkier.

The best problem a team can have is the one where there are too many good options. The Mets starting lineup, at number one and two, have a few choices.

Beyond just those three, let’s also remember Jeff McNeil is still on the roster. The Mets used Francisco Lindor at the number two spot plenty last season as well. He’s another name to consider.

Whoever they go with for the majority of the season, they have a wider selection to get the best lineup out there possible.

Buck Showalter gives the manager job legitimacy

Managers might not have as much effect on the outcome of the game as the players. There’s still no denying how much sweeter it is for Buck Showalter to have the title heading into 2022.

The last two Mets managers took the job without any major league experience in the role. Mickey Callaway was a former pitching coach that never seemed cut out for the job. Luis Rojas could still have a fine future as a big league skipper. However, the timeline for him to learn on the job doesn’t match up well with what the Mets are hoping to accomplish. They’re ready to win now. He might not be.

Hiring Showalter always seemed like the most obvious move for this organization to make. He’ll bring with him plenty of experience—something severely lacking from the last two in his position.

Showalter probably won’t have the same authority as he did in previous years. The front office has far more say than when he last managed in New York, representing the Yankees back in 1995. If all he does do is provide the team with a respected voice that can nix any minor issues before they become more severe, the hire will have been the right one.

Hopefully, keeping things copacetic also leads to wins on the field and not just a friendly atmosphere behind the scenes.