Now that the final out of the Mets’ 2019 Grapefruit League games has been recorded, I have asked Mel and Ed to share their thoughts on the upcoming season. In case you’ve forgotten or you’re unfamiliar with them, these two Mets fans can best be summarized as the consistently cynical, “sky is always falling” fan (Mel) and the unendingly optimistic, “they’re just one good player away” fan (Ed). Here’s what they had to say…
Ed: You smell that, Mel?
Mel: Is that really how we’re starting this off? Fine, what’s that smell?
Ed: Hope.
Mel: Who’s she?
Ed: This is a new team, Mel, and I have no doubt this is going to be a fun season.
Mel: A new team? Good. Last year seemed less like a new team and more like a collection of 2010 All-Stars and rookies with guys like Jay Bruce, Adrian Gonzalez, Jose Bautista, even Jason Vargas. I’ve been hibernating all winter, tell me who the new guys are.
Ed: We’ve got Robinson Cano and Wilson Ramos?
Mel: Seriously? So we’re still in 2010? Did we get Hanley Ramirez too?
Ed: Look, those other 2010 guys you mentioned are all gone, except-
Mel: -Don’t say it-
Ed: Vargas.
Mel: You said it.
Ed: If the second half of last year is any indication, Vargas is going to be a fine option as a fifth starter.
Mel: I’d rather watch Hope pitch.
Ed: They also added Edwin Diaz, one of the best closers in the game.
Mel: A closer on a team that doesn’t win is like a Viennese table on Yom Kippur; sure, it looks great but what purpose does it serve?
Ed: They’re going to get wins.
Mel: Any chance you’re going to surprise me and say they signed Bryce Harper?
Ed: Nope, but he’s not on the Nats anymore.
Mel: Well, at least he’s out of the NL East.
Ed: Um…
Mel: What do you mean, “Um…”?
Ed: He’s on the Phillies. They also got JT Realmuto, Jean Segura, and Andrew McCutchen.
Mel: Please tell me we added some more pieces.
Ed: We did! How does Jed Lowrie sound?
Mel: I don’t know, I’ve never heard him sing.
Ed: He was an All-Star last year and he’s going to play third for us.
Mel: That’s something. You know, now that you mention it, I’m actually kind of excited to see him in the Opening Day lineup.
Ed: Well he’s hurt.
Mel: That didn’t take long. I guess he really is a Met now. We still have Frazier right.
Ed: Also hurt.
Mel: That’s just as well.
Ed: It’s not all about offseason acquisitions though. There are some great young players on this team. Jeff McNeil will be starting at third for now, and Pete Alonso will play first.
Mel: Where’s Dominic Smith?
Ed: He’s on the team too.
Mel: Two first basemen? Leave it to the Mets.
Ed: Don’t you get it? Alonso could have been sent down to the minors to manipulate his contract status, but instead he’s starting the season with them. This means they’re all in on this season.
Mel: You know what would have shown me they’re all in? Signing Manny Machado.
Ed: Where would they have put him?
Mel: The injured list, probably.
Ed: Oh, I almost forgot about Amed Rosario!
Mel: What about him?
Ed: I really think he’s going to breakout this year.
Mel: Of what?
Ed: I’m serious. The kid is going to be a star and he’s going to have a great season.
Mel: I hope you’re right.
Ed: You do?
Mel: Of course. Just because I know they’re going to lose doesn’t mean I want them to.
Ed: I suppose I forget that sometimes.
Mel: How’s the pitching looking?
Ed: Well, I’m sure you saw that they’ve signed deGrom for the next five years, six with an option, so we won’t have to hear about that all year. Syndergaard looks healthy and ready to go. Same with Wheeler, Matz, and Vargas.
Mel: Let’s see which version of each of those guys shows up.
Ed: And the bullpen…aside from Diaz, we got Jeurys Familia back.
Mel: Why not? We’ve got two first basemen, we might as well have two closers. Who else is in the pen?
Ed: Gsellman and Lugo are back, and they’ve added lefties Luis Avilan and Justin Wilson. Oh, there’s also Tim Peterson.
Mel: Tim Peterson? That sounds like a guy who fixes computers, not a pitcher.
Ed: He’ll be the long reliever.
Mel: Wait, what happened to Hope?
Ed: Welcome back, Mel.