New York Mets: Getting Better

The New York Mets showed some promise last season with good pitching and some decent offense. They ended up finishing third in the division just ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013. Matt Harvey led the way for the Mets, until he was shut down, and eventually ended up having Tommy John Surgery. So, the Mets will be without their stud right-handed pitcher in 2014, but they still have gotten better this winter.

Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets major need has been outfield presence the last few seasons. Well, that has been solved with the signing of Curtis Granderson. The Mets signed Granderson to a four-year deal and joining him with David Wright and Harvey as the cornerstone pieces of the organization. Granderson is coming over from the other New York team and he had this to say about New York.

"Real New Yorkers are Mets fans – Curtis Granderson"

This is a major upgrade to the top of their order. He has the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark, but also can steal some bases. He covers a lot of ground, which he will need to do in Citi Field. He has played in Comerica Park, so he knows what it is like to play in a big outfield.

Just when you thought the Mets front office was done, they weren’t.

Wednesday the Mets signed Bartolo Colon to a two-year worth $20 Million. The 40 year old who will turn 41 in May, is coming off a fabulous season with the Oakland Athletics. He was pumping the strike zone at 97 consistently and seemed to have found something in his arm that hadn’t been there in a while.

The Mets are putting faith in Colon to teach their young arms the game and how to pitch in the Major Leagues. It will be hard to top 2013, or actually even come close but he is their to go deep into ball games, but more importantly teach. The additions of Colon and Granderson are a great start, but will it be enough?

I don’t think so. Harvey being out the entire season and a lot of young arms in the rotation I just don’t think it’s enough. They have gotten better this winter there is no doubt about that, but I don’t see the Mets passing up the Nationals in the standings in 2014.

The Nationals have too much fire power and power pitching for the Mets. The Mets are spending the money to get better and may not be done just yet, but after just spending $5 Million last offseason it is good to see the Mets front office dig into their pockets a bit and be willing to spend the money.

For now, I still see the Nationals as the obvious front runner to win the National League East.