**Mets Exceed Expectations Despite Missing Lofty Predictions**

As the 2024 MLB season concludes, the New York Mets have surprised fans and analysts alike by outperforming initial projections, even though some bold preseason predictions didn't quite hit the mark.

Both Allison McCague and Linda Surovich had high hopes for 22-year-old catcher Francisco Alvarez. McCague predicted he would be the best catcher in the National League, while Surovich forecasted that he would hit 42 home runs to set a new club record for the position. Alvarez, however, struggled with a thumb injury, appearing in only 100 games and ending the season with a slash line of .237/.307/.403. Despite his postseason struggles, Alvarez showed significant defensive improvements and posted league-average offensive numbers, providing hope for future seasons.

Concerns over the bullpen were partly justified. Edwin Díaz, returning from injury, didn't quite regain his previous form and was further hampered by a sticky-stuff suspension. Brooks Raley and Nate Lavender underwent Tommy John surgery, compounding the bullpen woes. Yet, the Mets managed to piece together an effective bullpen, highlighted by strong performances from Reed Garrett, Phil Maton, and Ryne Stanek. Deadline pickups and promising steps forward from José Buttó and Dedniel Núñez offer a promising outlook for the bullpen’s future.

Predictions about the starting pitching rotation also saw mixed results. While Sean Manaea had a Cy Young-worthy season and David Peterson excelled post-injury, the rotation overall ranked only 12th in the league with a 3.91 ERA. Metrics like fWAR and DRA placed the Mets’ pitching staff closer to average than elite, partly due to inconsistent performances and injuries.

Jeff McNeil, unfortunately, didn’t reclaim the National League batting title as predicted by Chris McShane. He struggled with a wrist injury and finished the season with a .238/.308/.384 line. However, a notable second-half improvement offers a glimmer of hope for a resurgence next year.

Lukas Vlahos accurately predicted that the Mets would surpass 88 wins, as the team finished with 89 victories. Unexpected standouts like Mark Vientos and Tyrone Taylor contributed significantly to this success. Additionally, Francisco Lindor’s exceptional performance solidified his status as a cornerstone for the team, disproving any lingering doubts about his value.

In summary, while not all bold predictions for the Mets came to fruition, the team’s overall performance in 2024 was a testament to their resilience and potential for future success.