SAN DIEGO — Manager Terry Collins has made it clear it's playoffs or bust for the Mets in 2015, but is such talk realistic?
That is the question The Post posed to six officials/scouts from other teams — some of whom spoke only under the condition of anonymity — before the Winter Meetings concluded Thursday at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
The consensus was the Mets' ambition isn't misguided, even after six straight losing seasons and the belief the Nationals will remain the class of the NL East.
"They are legitimate," one official said, referring to the Mets. "They are right there with the Marlins for the No. 2 team in the division. [General manager] Sandy Alderson talked about 90 wins last season, they are not that, but right now maybe they are an 85-86 win team and that lets you hang around until you can maybe make a trade that gets you there."
Even with the Mets shortstop situation clouded, the team's rotation depth and young bullpen arms have created a buzz. It's a rotation that includes Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler and a bullpen that features Jeurys Famila and Jenrry Mejia, with Bobby Parnell expected back from Tommy John surgery.
"From what I have seen, the Mets have moved the bar and they should be a team that expects to go ahead and have impact," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
That assessment comes based on the Mets' pitching more than on a lineup that averaged 3.88 runs last season.
"The magic number for everybody is about four runs," Hurdle said. "You find a way to get four, and they've got the pitching I believe that every time they go out there they've got somebody who is going to have a chance to win. So I think it's going to be an exciting time for them."
An AL executive who has scouted the Mets said the team probably doesn't need to make a move at shortstop, given the lack of available talent at the position.
"Obviously guys like [Asdrubal] Cabrera and [Stephen] Drew have experience, but I like what I saw of [Wilmer] Flores last year," the executive said. "If [Michael] Cuddyer stays healthy, he's still a productive major league player. Maybe [hitting coach] Kevin Long can help Curtis Granderson like he did with the Yankees. I like that hire. You've got to have your health, but they have reason for optimism."
With a think market, Wilmer Flores may be the Mets' best choice at shortstop in 2015.Photo: AP
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez is putting the Mets in the mix to compete for the NL East title.
What jumps to mind for Gonzalez when he considers the Mets?
"Their pitching and they went out and got Cuddyer, along with having [Juan] Lagares in center, and with a healthy David Wright, that's a pretty good lineup," Gonzalez said. "Plus they've got Terry Collins managing the team, and I like Terry a lot."
A scout from an NL East team said he likes the Mets' chances based on their pitching, but questioned a potential double-play combination that would consist of Flores and Daniel Murphy.
"They've got pitching," the scout said. "Most teams build pitching and the middle of the infield together, and they don't have that. Murphy, as good of a hitter as he is, he's not bringing the leather."
The lone voice of dissent on the Mets trying to sell themselves as a playoff team came from a different NL East talent evaluator. His evaluation was based on the belief the Nationals are still the division's best team, and the Mets are competing with the Marlins for No. 2 and a potential wild card.
The Marlins made a splash at the meetings with trades for second baseman Dee Gordon, starting pitcher Mat Latos and reliever Andre Rienzo. The Marlins will also add pitcher Dan Haren, if he agrees to play for the team and not retire. The Mets were quiet at the meetings, adding only John Mayberry Jr. on a one-year deal and selecting pitcher Sean Gilmartin in the Rule 5 Draft.
"When you leave here," the talent evaluator said. "Would you buy stock in the Mets or would you buy stock in the Marlins?"
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