Fansided

One reason each MLB team can win the World Series in 2017

By Joshua Sadlock

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; (from left to right) Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and center fielder Dexter Fowler and third baseman Kris Bryant and right fielder Jason Heyward celebrate during their World Series parade outside of Wrigley Field on Addison Street. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; (from left to right) Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and center fielder Dexter Fowler and third baseman Kris Bryant and right fielder Jason Heyward celebrate during their World Series parade outside of Wrigley Field on Addison Street. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom looks on during the first day of practice at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Leah Voss/Treasure Coast Newspapers via USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom looks on during the first day of practice at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Leah Voss/Treasure Coast Newspapers via USA TODAY Sports /

New York Mets: Healthy aces

By the end of the 2016 season, only one of the vaunted trio of Mets aces was still left healthy. Noah Syndergaard made it through his first full season in the big leagues, relatively unscathed, only dealing with minor bone chips. Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey were not so lucky. Harvey looked terrible from the jump, and eventually settled for shoulder surgery. deGrom made 24 starts, but declining velocity showed there was something going on. He eventually had elbow surgery to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve in his throwing arm.

Harvey and deGrom both appear healthy and should not start the season on the DL. There’s also the health of Steven Matz to consider, another budding ace who had elbow surgery after just 22 starts last year. The Mets were able to make it back to the postseason, but it was a one-game appearance only after they were shut down in the Wild Card Game by Madison Bumgarner.

The Mets are built on a house of cards. Most of their hopes hinge on four young power arms being able to stay healthy for a full season. Three of those arms — Harvey, deGrom, and Matz — have already had Tommy John surgery. It’s just hard to get an entire rotation through a season healthy, but that will have to happen for the Mets to have a shot at getting back to the World Series. At their best, this is the best rotation in baseball, armed with the type of velocity that can put the Cubs away.

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