5. New York Mets
“We’re building for 2015.” While the organization never actually admitted their intentions, almost every Mets fan that attended one of its team’s games over the past few seasons drew this conclusion. With the injury to Matt Harvey ending any legitimate hopes of a 2014 playoff push, the Mets’ sixth consecutive losing season pushed off the wait for a return to the postseason another year.
As quickly as Harvey’s absence crippled the roster, his return immediately solidifies it. Along with the emergence of Jacob deGrom, the Mets have potentially risen so far since the start of 2014 that they may actually be able to afford the loss of Zach Wheeler. In addition, the team feels its pitching staff is currently stout enough to allow prospect Noah Syndergaard to cultivate longer in the Minor Leagues.
The Mets may still struggle to score runs — ninth fewest in 2014 — but with a deep pitching staff and Gold Glove-winner Juan Lagares patrolling Citi Field’s outfield, they have likely cracked the code to preventing opponents from pulling away. With that, any slight improvement at the plate should have a positive rippling effect throughout the team.
New York managed an impressive 79 wins without these assumptions working in their favor. Why shouldn’t any improvement — Matt Harvey’s return being the most notable — translate to more wins?
