The manager was very confident about his team when talking about the upcoming season.
The Mets haven't traded Dillon Gee yet, nor have they acquired a shortstop to compete for at-bats with Wilmer Flores. Never mind that, though, Terry Collins told the New York Post that he expects to reach the postseason with the team as it is currently constructed.
"I really like our team,'' Collins told The Post this week. "I am so excited. There were always big missing pieces in the past. Now there's not. We're not going to put a number on it, but we're going to win. I don't think that there is any question that we should be playing in October next year.''
Of course, if Collins had put a number on it, that number would probably follow the Mets around all season, just like Sandy Alderson's 90 wins of yesteryear. Still, Collins' comments are increasing evidence that the skipper does not mind the pressure that New York's media and fans will put on him to succeed in 2015.
Collins also revealed a possible Opening Day lineup, assuming the Mets don't make any more moves this offseason.
Lagares, Granderson, Wright, Duda, Cuddyer, Murphy, d'Arnaud, Wilmer Flores and then the pitcher.
There are some who think Murphy will bat second instead of Granderson, but we know the real driver of wins will be the starting pitching. Even though the Mets will try to limit the innings that Matt Harvey pitches during his first season following Tommy John surgery, Collins expects the staff ace to be very competitive in 2015.
"He's got the competitiveness of a stinkin' bear. Matt and I just met a couple of days ago in New York and talked about how important it is for him to understand that we've got to be careful."
The Stinking Bear! Better than The Dark Knight? Maybe, but the most important thing is that Harvey and the team are unified in their goal of seeing the pitcher on the mound for the Mets in October. Mets fans might still be waiting for another move, but it's clear that Collins can't wait for April to get here.