Steven Matz was part of the surge as the Mets went 46-26 in the second half of the 2019 season, scratching and clawing their way back into the playoff race.
Now, after finishing 3.0 games out of a playoff spot and watching the team hire Carlos Beltran as manager, Matz is already gearing up for the 2020 season.
"We got really excited to see what we are capable of," Matz said on Monday during an appearance on MLB Network Radio. "Now we've got a guy who is very well respected around the league coming in, and have that type of collaboration with Brodie (Van Wagenen) and him and all that type of stuff. I think that we are really excited and I think the fans are as well as to what we can do."
While the Mets are expected to add key pieces to a roster that didn't have quite enough this past season, Matz doesn't think "crazy changes" need to be made.
"We've just got to play to our potential after (what) we did in the second half and let the rest take care of itself," Matz said. "I think going into the offseason, having that type of confidence as what we can do as a group -- the group that was in this clubhouse. Not having to make these crazy changes or anything, it definitely gives you confidence."
Matz has not yet spoken to Beltran and has met him only once -- in Port St. Lucie soon after Matz was drafted.
As the Mets look toward 2020, Matz is expected to be part of a starting rotation that should also include Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Marcus Stroman.
The 28-year-old Matz tossed a career-high 160.1 innings in 32 games (30 starts) in 2019 while posting a 4.21 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He struck out 153 batters (8.6 per 9).