Entering the 2012 season, it's been six years since the Mets have been in the playoffs. The last three years have been dreadful, seasons to forget. Coming into the 2012 season, things look bleak, like the Mets are rebuilding waiting for their prospects to grow and become Major League ready. However, if things go right the Mets could be a competitive team, and surprise many people. That being said, that's many things. Here are some of the story lines coming into the 2012 season.
Johan Santana- Since joining the Mets Santana has had trouble staying healthy. Can Johan stay healthy? Can Johan return to Cy Young form? How much will fatigue factor into Santana's pitching considering he hasn't pitched in a Major League game in close to a year and a half?
Jason Bay-Two years into the Jason Bay contract, so far it hasn't looked good for the Mets nor for Bay. In Bay's two years as a Met, Bay has combined for a .251 average, with 18 HR's and 108 RBIs. Combined. In two seasons. So what will 2102 hold for Jason Bay? With the outfield walls coming in and coming down, will Bay's offensive numbers improve? Will Bay return to the offensive threat he was in Boston?
Mike Pelfrey- After a good 2010, Pelfrey was awful in 2011, going 7-13 with a 4.74 ERA. Will Pelfrey return to 2010 form and lower his large ERA? Pelfrey gave up 21 home runs in 2011, can Pelfrey re-find that sinker that was so good in 2010, and keep the ball down?
David Wright- Wright is coming off an off-year where he had a back injury and only played 102 games. Wright's contract has a club option for $16 million if picked up for 2013. Were Wright's offensive problems because of his back issue alone? Will Wright get traded at the trade deadline if the Mets are not in contention? What type of offensive threat will Wright be? Will he show his opposite field power again and return to old form?
Josh Thole- Mets GM Sandy Alderson & Co. decided not to after a veteran catcher and go with the Mets young catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. Thole's defense was lacking last year, and at times he looked lost behind the plate, and had a league leading 16 passed balls. Can Thole improve on his defense and be competent behind the plate? Thole, who was expected to be a good average hitter, hit a woeful .268 in 2011. Can Thole improve on his offense and raise his average and hit close to .300?
Jonathon Niese- Niese has had trouble his whole career staying healthy. Can he stay healthy for a full season in 2012? At times in 2011 Niese looked like an All-Star with an amazing curveball. Can Niese return to that form and be consistent with it?
Ruben Tejada- The Mets let Jose Reyes walk, handing the shortstop reigns to 22 year old Tejada. It is clear Tejada can play shortstop at a Major League level, but can he play it over a long 162 games? Tejada's offense was very up and down in 2011, at times looking like he could hit in the Majors, and at time not being able to get the ball out of the infield? Which is the real Tejada? Can he hit well consistently over the span of the long season?
Daniel Murphy- The past two seasons, Murphy has had trouble staying healthy, getting both knees blown out the past two years. One thing for sure is Murphy can hit, hitting .320 in 109 games last season. The Mets are ready to give Murphy second base full fledged, but can he defend it properly? Can he turn the double play, something he had trouble doing in 2011?
Bullpen- Yet again, the Mets had problems in the bullpen. Alderson & Co. made the bullpen a priority over the off-season, signing Frank Fransisco, Jon Rauch, and trading for Ramon Ramirez. Can the bullpen finally be stable? Can they close out games and hold leads for the Mets? Can they keep games close and give the Mets an opportunity to comeback?
These are just some of the questions that need to be answered yes for the Mets to be successful in 2012.