Despite free-agent whiffs, Mets are improved and built for postseason run

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With spring training opening later this week, we take a four-part look at the Phillies' National League East rivals, what they did this offseason and where they might be going in 2021.

Part 1: Atlanta Braves

Today: New York Mets

Quick look back

The Mets' 2020 season got off to a bad start even before it began. A month before spring training, the team parted with new manager Carlos Beltran after his role in the Houston Astros' cheating scandal of 2017 was revealed. Hard-throwing right-hander Noah Syndergaard suffered a season-ending elbow injury in spring training and Marcus Stroman, another important starter, suffered a calf injury during spring training 2.0 and eventually opted out for COVID-19 concerns. 

Jacob deGrom, Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith were all bright spots, but in the end, the Mets finished eight games under .500 and in fourth place, two games behind the Phillies.

Notable departures

There are several — on the field and off. 

Shortstop Amed Rosario moved on to Cleveland in a big trade. Lefty Steven Matz was dealt to Toronto. Repeat steroid cheat Robinson Cano is suspended for 2021. 

Off the field, Fred Wilpon, who joined the team's ownership group in 1980 and became majority owner in 2002, sold the club in a high-profile deal. The new owner ousted Brodie Van Wagenen, the general manager he inherited, before firing Jared Porter, the general manager he hired, after Porter was found to have harassed a female reporter.

Notable additions

Steve Cohen, a lifelong Mets fan worth $14 billion, bought the club and stated his desire to bring a World Series championship to Queens. Cohen mixed it up at the top of the free-agent market but came away 0 for 4 as Trevor Bauer, George Springer, DJ LeMahieu and J.T. Realmuto all signed elsewhere. Bauer actually turned down $105 million from the Mets to sign with the Dodgers for $102 million.

Despite having Bauer serve them some humble pie, the Mets still had a very good winter. They picked up superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor and quality starter Carlos Carrasco in a trade with Cleveland. The Mets also added a solid catcher in James McCann and a power-armed reliever in Trevor May.

Key offseason move

With his deep pockets and commitment to winning, Cohen will be a force to be reckoned with in the division for a long time. 

And Lindor will be a game-changer as he plays Gold Glove defense and bids for his latest season of 40-plus doubles and 30-plus homers.

Phillies tie

Carrasco and May were both originally Phillies property. In fact, both were at one time rated as the organization's top prospect by Baseball America. Carrasco was No. 1 in 2007 and 2008 and May in 2012.

The Phillies traded Carrasco to Cleveland in the Cliff Lee deal in 2009 and May to Minnesota in the Ben Revere deal in December 2012. 

In Cleveland, Carrasco was afforded development time and became an 18-game winner and fourth-place Cy Young finisher in 2017. May survived Tommy John surgery, moved to the bullpen and blossomed the last three seasons with the Twins.

2021 outlook

DeGrom has finished first, first and third in NL Cy Young voting the last three seasons. He is arguably the game's top starter. With Carrasco and Stroman behind him, and Syndergaard potentially returning in the second half, the Mets have some firepower in the rotation. 

The offense is deep and could get even better with the possibility of another significant addition before opening day. 

This club should be much improved in 2021 and has the potential to play deep into October.

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