New York Mets:

Coming off a World Series appearance, the New York Mets are hoping to further their success in the 2016 season. The Mets dominated in the second half of the previous season after the additions of Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Conforto, and Tyler Clippard. The Amazin’s carried their rejuvenated lineup and bullpen into the playoffs. Despite a magical run, the season would not end in glory. The loss in the World Series proved the Mets still had room to improve in 2016.

The fate of the Mets’ season can be found at the top of the diamond. While New York managed to retain slugger Yoenis Cespedes in the offseason, the latest acquisitions of second baseman Neil Walker and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera will be the most pivotal. The middle infield positions caused too many headaches last season, even costing the team games. The Mets have elite pitchers and batters, but their defense is their biggest unknown. If the infield can improve defensively in 2016 then the New York Mets are a team that will be feared in 2016.

Prediction: 92-70

New York Yankees:

To restore balance to the universe, the Yankees will be looking to go at least as far as the Mets, and get to the World Series this year. Their outlook is very similar to that of the beginning of last season – a whole lot of wild cards. The Yankees desperately need at least a somewhat decent season from their ace, Masahiro Tanaka, and good years from under-performing Michael Pineda, and young gun, Luis Severino. Fortunately for the Bombers, the back end of their bullpen is probably second to none this year with new addition and fireballer, Aroldis Chapman (who is suspended for the start of the season due to a domestic violence incident), and returning stars Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller. The Yankees were dealt a major blow before the season even began when back-up first baseman, Greg Bird went down for the whole season to an injury. That leaves aging starter Mark Teixeira as the capable first baseman. Teixeira is very injury prone, and if he himself goes down, the Yankees will struggle to replace his home runs and rbi’s with anyone that they currently have.

After this season, the Yankees will be dumping several major contracts of some of their oldest players including Teixeira and Carlos Beltran, so after this season, the Yankees will have a lot of money and space to add some major new pieces. The Yankees are a rather old team, and need their veterans to perform to their potential this year. It doesn’t make it any easier that the Blue Jays’ offense is so good, and that their arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox have added some new major pieces in their division.

Prediction: 87-75