2012 Record: 74-88, 4th NL East
2012 Pythagorean Record: 75-87
Impact Player: 3B David Wright
Impact Pitcher: LHP Jonathan Niese
Top Prospect: RHP Zack Wheeler
Significant Acquisitions: C Travis d’Arnaud, RHP Shaun Marcum, C John Buck, RHP Brandon Lyon, RHP Scott Atchison, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, OF Marlon Byrd, OF Collin Cowgill, LHP Aaron Laffey, C Anthony Recker, IF Omar Quintanilla, RHP Greg Burke, RHP Carlos Torres, C Landon Powell
Significant Departures: RHP R.A. Dickey, CF Andres Torres, RHP Mike Pelfrey, RHP Chris Young, LF Jason Bay, OF Scott Hairston, C Josh Thole, RHP Ramon Ramirez, RHP Jon Rauch, RHP Manny Acosta, IF Ronny Cedeno, RHP Miguel Batista, C Mike Nickeas, C Kelly Shoppach
The New York Mets are smack in the middle of what appears to be a long rebuilding phase. General Manager Sandy Alderson and his administration have so far been able to stave off the rabid New York media and fanbase and are quietly going about their business in a slow and measured manner. New York is coming off their fourth straight losing season and this past winter—more than the first two under Alderson—they started to completely remake the makeup of the franchise.
First, they signed face-of-the-franchise and “team captain” David Wright to an eight-year, $138-million extension ensuring that he’ll be around for the next good Mets team. Then they dealt reigning NL Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays for a package including top catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud and right-hander Noah Sydergaard. Combined with an emerging core of prospects that includes righthander Zack Wheeler and shortstop Gavin Cecchini, the Mets system is turning around in a hurry. The Mets will probably be bad for another year or two, but they are quickly setting themselves up to be an NL giant again soon.
