Biggest Takeaways from 2024 Season.

Posted by: Patrick Gorman 10/23/2024

If I told you that the 2024 New York Mets would finish with 89 wins, clinch a playoff spot in a dramatic game in Atlanta, and with the cherry on top. Beating the Phillies in 4 games in a best of 5 series to face the Dodgers. I think every fan would sign up for that in a heartbeat and that is exactly what did happen. I am going to highlight 5 key reasons on how this magical team got into this spot.

Honorable Mention: Grimace, Rally Pimp, Seymour Weiner, The Rizzler, and Iggy

Do I need to say more?

1. The Rise of Mark Vientos

In Spring Training there were very few Mets fans that thought Vientos was ever going to be on the MLB roster, especially after the signing of J.D. Martinez. In spring training Vientos looked overmatched at the plate and didn't look like a big league hitter. When he didn't make the team he didn't sulk or moan he took it on the chin and went to work in AAA. Due to the struggling Brett Baty the team decided to give the third base job to Vientos mid year and he did not look back. Mark Vientos solidified himself this year as a key piece for this franchise in the present and future. In his breakout year, Mark Vientos slugged 27 HRs, 71 RBIs, and a .837 OPS. The Met seem to finally have the long awaited true heir to David Wright and I couldn't be more excited about that.

2. The Impact of Jose Iglesias and Jesse Winker

If you told the 12 year old me that Jose Iglesias would be a key impact bat for the 2024 Mets season I would've laughed in your face. Growing up it was so fun to watch Iglesias on those Tigers team in the 2010s with his elite defense at Shortstop and later in his career at Second Base. When the team decided to add him on the roster to replace Zack Short I thought this was the right move considering his bat is better than short and his glove hasn't taken a step back. The impact of Iglesias was so key for this team's success because not only did he provide elite defense, but he also provided major offensive contributions. In 2024, Iglesias batted .337 in 85 games with The Mets. However, in high leverage situations Candelita batted .359 which means in the big moments of the game he was most likely going to come through. Not only did he provide a spark on the field, but he also provided a spark off the field with his hit Latin single "OMG".

Speaking of sparks, how can we not talk about the energy that Jesse Winker brought to that clubhouse. Winker is the definition of a guy you hate facing, but this is a guy who you want on your team. Winker had a very underwhelming second half with a sub .700 OPS, but he did turn it on for the team in the playoffs. In the postseason Winker slashed a .318/.531/.636 in 10 games. It was so refreshing to see Winker come through for us and not the other way around.

3. Manaea pitching like an ace down the stretch.

Sean Manaea before he changed his arm slot was a very frustrating arm to watch at times because of his inability to throw strikes consistently. That all changed when he saw Chris Sale pitch against the team at Citi Field in July. After making this tweak, Manaea's numbers drastically improved with his ERA after the tweak was a 3.09 with his FIP at a 3.35. While making this tweak he also upped the usage of his sinker due to the tunnel he created with his sinker sweeper combo. With these adjustments that he made Manaea is starting to look like the pitcher that Oakland hoped for him to turn out.

4. Francisco Lindor.

Francisco Lindor has now become one of the most underrated superstars in baseball. It is plain and simple that if Lindor wasn't on this team they would be dead in the water come the deadline. The fact he wasn't an All-Star nor a Gold Glove Finalist is absurd and ridiculous, but let's talk about the positives. This year was clearly Lindor's best season as a Met and it all started with him going back to the leadoff spot. In Cleveland Lindor was their leadoff hitter and was a stud. Not saying Lindor was bad batting 2nd or 3rd, but leadoff Lindor is a different tier. Ever since Lindor got moved to the leadoff spot he slashed .298/.374/.548 with 28 HRs and a .922 OPS. On top of these numbers I stated let's not forget the heroics he provided with such as the homer in Atlanta and in Game 4 of the NLDS. Francisco Lindor is a New York Met and it is an absolute blessing.

5. David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza

Throughout my years of rooting for this team this is the most confident I have ever felt with the infrastructure of the organization. At the top we got an Owner willing to do whatever it takes to make this team better. We have a POBO who has been well respected and revered in the game of baseball (not to mention a die hard Mets fan as well). Lastly, a manager who just demands excellence each and every day from not just the 26 man roster, but also the 40 man roster. These three ingredients give me confidence that this franchise will be perennial contenders for years to come.