The main Mets headlines continue to center around replacing Jason Vargas with Dallas Keuchel, and whether to sign Craig Kimbrel to beef up the bullpen.

Here are four under the radar stories worth noting...

1) Broxton is better than Lagares

In January, the Mets acquired fleet-footed outfielder Keon Broxton for reliever Bobby Wahl and two prospects. The deal was received well, but was nevertheless confusing given the presence of Juan Lagares.

In the wake of passing on signing A.J. Pollock, it appeared Broxton and Lagares would end up platooning in center field, with both playing sensational defense and switching at bat based on match ups.

So far this season, though, Broxton has been the better of the two in the field, plus has a .357 OBP. Meanwhile, Lagares has looked slow in the field and on the bases, he's batting .230 and is striking out close to 40 percent of his at bats.

2) Citi Field has played like a hitter's park

In the only five games played at Citi Field this season, the Mets and their opponents have hit a combined 22 home runs, which is second only to Coors Field among National League ballparks.

The 11 hit by the Mets is their most through five home games since Citi Field opened in 2009.

Last season, Citi Field ranked as the most difficult place to hit a home run in the NL, according to ESPN.com's Park Factor. This season, with its 22 home runs and 73 runs scored, it's third in the NL -- ranking behind Colorado and Milwaukee's Miller Park.

"The ball is carrying more," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "I can't explain it."

The way I see it, two things are at play: 1) it was humid and not windy when the Mets were home, as opposed to the normal cold, wet and wind blowing from left to right field, all of which historically shut down offense through April and May. And, most important, 2) Pete Alonso. He's got four home runs at Citi Field, where I'm not sure a giant brick wall would contain him.

3) Flexing Flexen

Triple-A starting pitcher Chris Flexen is not the guy you remember pitching in 14 games (nine starts) for the Mets in 2018. Instead, following a drastic change in his diet and workout routine, the 24-year-old dropped 30 pounds, added muscle and close to five miles per hour on his fastball.

As a result, he has struck out 18 batters in 12 innings this season in Syracuse. He averaged fewer than one strikeout per inning last season in Triple-A.

There is a loud cry among most Mets fans demanding the team go over the Competitive Balance Tax, sign free-agent Dallas Keuchel and boot Jason Vargas from the rotation.

Instead, at least so far, Callaway and GM Brodie Van Wagenen have suggested that -- in the event they need another starting pitcher -- they are more likely to a variety of internal candidates.

Turning to Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman weakens the bullpen. Triple-A starters Hector Santiago and Corey Oswalt are unexciting. However, at this point, it may be that Flexen's offseason changes may have turned him in to the best available option to replace Vargas.

4) There's no place like home

The Mets play 16 of their first 21 games this season on the road, which is a staggering amount of travel to begin the year. More bizarre, 13 of those 16 games include battles with their NL East rivals.

This, to me, makes their 9-6 start all the more impressive and important. Because, as unfair as it may seem to be on the road so much in April, know that the Mets play 17 of their final 23 games of the season at Citi Field, which will be a huge advantage if they're in a pennant race.

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Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is lead writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. He also hosts the MetsBlog Podcast, which you can subscribe to here. His new book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime. To check it out, click here!

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