Not Buying Into It: Al Leiter Says Mets Are 'Not A Playoff Team'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Mets have made some headlines this offseason -- good ones, to the delight of fans -- spending just over $87 million on three players.
First there was outfielder Chris Young, who signed a one-year, $7.25 million conteact. Then came the big splash in former Yankee Curtis Granderson, who was inked to a four-year, $60 million deal.
And most recently, seemingly out of nowhere, general manager Sandy Alderson brought in starting pitcher Bartolo Colon on a two-year, $20 million deal.
So the Amazin's are expected to be better in 2014 than they were in 2013, when they won just 74 games for the second consecutive season.
But are they a playoff team? Former Mets pitcher Al Leiter doesn't think so.
"I think the Mets are where they are," Leiter said on MLB Network's "MLB Tonight". "The Nationals are the team to beat, (the) Atlanta Braves are very good, who knows with the Marlins and Phillies. They're just, to me, they're not a playoff team."
The Mets have had five consecutive losing seasons and haven't reached the playoffs since 2006.
Though Alderson has done a solid job of improving this club ahead of Opening Day -- and he has plenty of time to do more -- there are still significant holes on the roster.
Not having ace Matt Harvey for the upcoming campaign is a big blow to the team's chances, and major question marks remain at first base, shortstop and in the bullpen.
There is an excellent chance that Ruben Tejada will start at shortstop on Opening Day -- it's doubtful that New York will sign Stephen Drew -- and it's been well-documented that New York has discussed trading Ike Davis or potentially Lucas Duda.
In addition to adding another bat -- or two -- Alderson will likely acquire another starting pitcher and one or two relievers before the offseason comes to an end.
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