Even though the hot stove is starting to heat up and the scheduled start of spring training is only two and a half months away, it could feel like 2021 Mets baseball is a long way off.

But it really isn't that far away, and with its return could come some great things for Mets fans to look forward to.

Here are five things Mets fans should be thankful for this Thanksgiving...

1. Steve Cohen's Stars

While player moves this offseason have been slow to develop, due in part to a market that has been impacted by COVID-19, the Mets will be in play for all of the biggest stars on the free agent and trade market.

The Mets will not spend like "drunken sailors" (Cohen's words), and that's a smart way to operate. But the expectation is that they'll be in strong position to land at least one of the biggest players on the market.

George Springer patrolling center field or J.T. Realmuto behind the plate or Francisco Lindor at shortstop? The possibilities are endless...

2. A new, important addition to Citi Field

Plans for a statue of Tom Seaver were unveiled last year, and the real thing is expected to be in place during the early part of the 2021 season.

The Seaver statue will be the first of its kind in the history of Citi Field, and will be a fitting tribute for The Franchise, who died earlier this year.

3. A full(er) season of Jacob deGrom

With COVID-19 leading to the 2020 season being shortened to 60 games, Mets fans only got to watch Jacob deGrom toe the rubber 12 times instead of the usual 32 or so.

While deGrom was brilliant again in 2020, it was incomplete. And even though there is still the possibility that MLB will not play a full 162-game slate in 2021, the hope is that they will play much closer to a full season than in 2020.

And if it is deemed safe for fans to be back in the stands in 2021, you'll be able to witness deGrom's brilliance in person.

4. The possible return of the black uniforms

Yes, some Mets fans will not be happy if the black uniforms make a comeback. Most will, though, as will many of the players -- like Pete Alonso, Marcus Stroman, Dominic Smith, and J.D. Davis.

Speaking Wednesday on Mets Hot Stove on SNY, Cohen hinted that the black uniforms could indeed be coming back, saying he wanted to first get input from the players and that they might only be worn once in a while if they returned.

Maybe the Mets will wear the black jerseys and hats for Friday night games at Citi Field.

A farm system on the rise

The Mets' farm system is middle of the pack at best right now, and probably a bit lower. But it has been improving steadily but slowly over the last two seasons, and now features plenty of exciting, high-upside players.

Matthew Allan, Josh Wolf, and J.T. Ginn highlight the Mets' crop of pitchers who could profile near the top of the rotation.

As far as position players go, catcher Francisco Alvarez, third baseman Brett Baty, shortstop Ronny Mauricio, and outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are part of a strong crop of young, high-ceiling bats.

Popular in the Community