5 teams that could win the 2016 World Series
By Jason Evans
4. New York Mets
For the first time since the late 1980s, the New York Mets are the toast of the town in New York City. The Mets lost the World Series last season, but if they had made few more plays, they may have won in five games instead of the Royals.
When you have starting pitching like the Mets do, you’re going to be there among contenders.
Matt Harvey may get all the headlines, but Jacob deGrom may be their best pitcher. Noah Syndergaard is a flame thrower and looks to continue his success. If Steven Matz can stay healthy, that gives them four quality starters. Add in Zack Wheeler when he comes back from Tommy John surgery in May or June and that’s a scary staff.
They lost Daniel Murphy in free agency, but because of those young pitchers, they were able to flip Jon Niese to the Pirates for Neil Walker to replace Murphy. They signed Asdrubal Cabrera to play short and make Wilmer Flores more of a super utility infielder to give them more depth. David Wright is the leader of the club, but how much will they get out of him with his spinal stenosis condition?
After saying they weren’t bringing back Yoenis Cespedes, they brought him back anyway for either a one-year deal, or a three-year deal if he opts in. Cespedes can mash, but how much will his centerfield defense hurt the club? They’ll have Michael Conforto all year with the big club to go along with Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson in the outfield.
The Mets fell short last season, but they have a shot of getting back their this season.
Next: 3. Chicago Cubs