Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Welcome to another baseball season, everyone.
The Major League Baseball season actually began last week when the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs played two games in Japan, but the rest of teams have their opening game on Thursday.
I'm very happy to have baseball back, but beginning a season this early is nuts. I know it won't happen, but the MLB needs to lop some games off their schedule and start the regular season later to avoid as many cold weather games as possible.
But I digress.
As a diehard fan of the New York Mets, I have been counting down the days until the opener in Houston against the Astros. With last season's playoff run still fresh in my mind and then the blockbuster signing of slugging outfielder Juan Soto, it's a very exciting time to be a Mets fan.
But believe it or not, it is also a scary time to be a Mets fan.
Let me explain…
The Mets, who, like myself, were born in 1962, have largely been a mediocre franchise over their history. But in those rare seasons when the team looks really good on paper or is coming off a playoff berth the year before and we get our hopes up, bad things tend to happen. This is called “Mets-ing”. It usuallu starts in spring training when the pitching arms for half of the staff fall off and everyone goes on the injured list.
So far, so good, though.
Welcome to life as a Mets fan. Just when you think a championship is a distinct possibility, they find a way to underwhelm and break your heart. But hey, this is part of being a sports fan, right?
As someone who has lived in Western New York for 36 years now, I know Buffalo sports fans can relate.
Having said all of that, you can't live in fear of something bad happening. I'm all in on the Mets’ chances to win their third World Series championship in franchise history, and their first since 1986.
The signing of Soto to the largest contract in professional sports history was a game-changer, and a seminal moment in Mets history.
The Mets have always been the baby brother to the New York Yankees, and have lived in their shadow for almost their entire existence. But the Soto signing has changed that.
The Mets actually got an elite level player, one of the best hitters in the game, and he picked them over the other baseball team in New York City that already had him on the roster in 2024. This had never, ever happened before.
It represented a seismic shift in how the Big Apple's two major league teams are perceived.
The Mets can, and will now compete with the biggest spending clubs in the MLB to build the best roster, which is something that just didn't happen in the past.
But the Mets are now owned by Steve Cohen, who is worth $21 billion, and like his fellow lifelong Mets fans (including yours truly) desperately wants to see the Mets win not just one title, but multiple championships.
Money doesn't guarantee a title, though.
Two years ago, the Mets had a payroll above $300 million and they flamed out, resulting in the selling parts off before the season ended. But it gives them a better chance to retain their own top players and/or trade, or use free agency for big ticket items.
There is no question the Mets’ lineup is good enough to win it all.
Soto will join a lineup that includes Francisco Lindor, who had an MVP-type season in 2023, and Pete Alonso, who re-signed in the offseason. There is some good young talent in the order, as well with Mark Vientos, Francisco Alvarez (although he will start the season on the injured list) and Brett Baty.
Luisangel Acuna, younger brother of Ronald Acuna of the Atlanta Braves, has also shown promise.
The biggest question about the 2025 Mets is their pitching.
I have serious concerns about the starting rotation, and whether or not it will be good enough to get the job done. On paper, it certainly isn't as good as the starting staff for some of the top contenders in the National League like the Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Braves.
The bullpen was a stress attack waiting to happen last season. The Mets had the highest earned run average for relief pitchers of any team that made the playoffs in 2024. Their closer, Edwin Diaz, was good, but wasn't where he was prior to an injury that cost him the entire 2023 season.
I have my Soto shirt and my Mets cap ready to go for Thursday.
Let's go Mets!