ALL DECADE METS

New York's "other team" went to more World Series this decade than the Bronx Bombers in the 2010s and had a plethora of young arms that had them posed for so many more pennants. However, baseball is a sport, especially with today's influx of talented youth, that is so hard to win big over the long haul and injuries (plus a tough division) hamstrung the Mets' chances. BUT in the All Decade league, the Mets are going to be LOADED with fantastic starting pitching (perhaps the best rotation in the league) and a high OB lineup with speed at nearly every spot. For that reason alone, the Mets are going to contend in the NL East and, possibly, for so much more!

Really a shame that injuries robbed us all of seeing this fantastic, do-everything 3B 

play much in the later portion of the decade!

LINEUP: The Mets have a fascinating lineup that was tricky to put together. Leading off, I've got Granderson. Yeah, he's an OB 9, but with his Speed A and giant BB range, he seemed like a player likely to end up on first with a chance to steal, setting the table for more explosive OB 10 (and fast) players like Nimmo and Reyes. Batting Reyes third rather than first or second is going to be controversial, but he clears the bases SO WELL with that 16-20 3B that I think he's best suited setting up the meat of the order while knocking in guys. Cleaning up is rookie sensation PETE Alonso, and he gives the Mets a 50 HR power hitter in the cleanup hitter.  Conforto gives them a stellar OB 10, HR at 18 to force guys to pitch to Pete, and McNeil is a super solid OB 10 in the six slot. Hitting seventh somehow is David Wright, who could arguably leadoff, but I like his solid OB 10 hitting to knock in the guys with so many XB hits. The lineup takes a dip in the 8 and 9 spots, but Cespedes will add serious pop (3B at 15!!) from the 8 slot and d'Arnaud is a rough choice for best catcher of the decade... but it's been a position of need! Overall, I think this lineup is sneaky good, especially with the speed in lots of spots!

ROTATION: In a "twist" that will surprise no one, the Mets are neck-and-neck with the Dodgers for the best rotation in the National League. After all, the Mets rode their stable of young aces to the 2015 Pennant... and frankly, "what if the Mets hadn't suffered injury after injury to their young arms" will probably be a 30 for 30 in 2030 that we all watch with our kids. At the top, they've got two Tier 1 aces -- their current ace and their brief, shining star, Matt Harvey (the ace that couldn't last, but was the one they needed in 2013-14.... a silent guardian, a watchful protector...... a DARK KNIGHT!). I think most will prefer Harvey's Control 6, but DeGrom's no doubles card makes him the ace. RA Dickey brings a very Randy Johnson-like card to the third slot in the rotation. Rounding it out is THOR with a super stellar Tier 2 card that'd be an ace or #2 starter for a lot of All Decade teams, yet feels almost like an after-thought here. Overall, the Mets are rolling out a total tier of 6 in their rotation!!!

BULLPEN: Thanks to their super stellar rotation, the Mets bullpen weakness isn't a glaring problem. They've got another Tier 1 arm in their closer, with a Control 4, on at 19 Familia shutting it down in the ninth. Supporting him are a couple solid Tier 2 pitchers, especially Gilmartin's no doubles card. Despite being a lower tier, I like that Matsuzaka is able to really give the top three arms a break if a game gets out of hand. Rounding it out is LaTroy Hawkins, who HAD to make it onto an All Decade team and provides a very solid Control 5, if necessary.

The Mets come in at 7230 points largely because of their THREE 600 point pitchers! By just 10 points (and the voters decision to start Brandon Phillips over Derek Dietrich), the Mets squeak into the #6 position for overall points over the Reds. Also, they're the second-most expensive team in the NL East, giving them a SLIGHT advantage (mere 30 points) over the Phillies. Between the Mets, Nats, and Phils, the NL East is going to have some amazing rotation matchups, that's for sure. Here are the point standings through 25 teams:

1.   Dodgers              8010 points
2.   Yankees              7920 points
3.   Red Sox              7770 points
4.   Nationals            7670 points
5.   Astros                 7420 points
6.   Mets                    7230 points
7.   Reds                    7220 points
8.   Phillies                7200 points
9.   Blue Jays            7140 points
10.   Rockies               7090 points
11.   Rangers              7070 points
12.   Rays                    7060 points
13.   Cubs                    7000 points
14.   Twins                  6910 points
15.   Indians               6880 points
16.   (T15) Mariners  6880 points
17.   Orioles                6830 points
18.   Giants                 6800 points
19.   Braves                 6790 points
20.   Marlins               6750 points
21.   Tigers                  6710 points
22.   (T21) Cardinals 6710 points
23.   Athletics             6670 points
24.   Royals                 6570 points
25.   Padres                 6510 points