Mets mailbag: Dream 2022 lineup starts with Nolan Arenado

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installment: the Mets.

Mets lineup in 2022? Don’t take the easy way out, and have some fun with it.  — @waitforit_vin

I am going to operate under the assumption the Mets have been sold to an owner with deep pockets who is trying to win immediately. Nolan Arenado has an opt-out after the 2021 season, and let’s take a leap of faith that baseball’s economics have returned in 18 months to the point it makes sense for the Rockies third baseman to become a free agent. Arenado becomes the Mets third baseman, rounding out an infield that includes Pete Alonso at first, Jeff McNeil at second and Amed Rosario at shortstop. Robinson Cano is now sharing DH duties with J.D. Davis, who still plays left field on a part-time basis. But the primary left fielder is Michael Brantley, with Ronny Mauricio in center and Michael Conforto in right. In J.T. Realmuto, the Mets finally have the star catcher they have craved since Mike Piazza’s departure. The rotation includes James Paxton pitching behind Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, who agreed to a new contract before reaching free agency.

There is no replacing Noah Syndergaard, but do you think [Marcus] Stroman, [Steven] Matz, Rick Porcello and [Michael] Wacha have the potential to sufficiently close the gap and get the job done? — @TimothyRRyder

Matz and Porcello are the key, as both would seem to have a wide variance of potential outcomes. Matz over the years has looked strong in stretches — the second half of last year was a prime example — but getting a consistent season from him is a struggle. Porcello pitched to a 5.52 ERA last season, but the Mets would gladly take a guy who has spent most of his career in the low fours. Brodie Van Wagenen would probably like his chances if you told him each of his five starters will make 15 starts in this possible half-season. It gets scarier for the Mets if they have to find another 15-20 starts because of an injury.

How is the delay in the season affecting the sale of the team? — @Metsrulein2k

It’s not helping. Agreeing on a franchise valuation is difficult given the economic uncertainty facing the sport. Even if this season starts in July, when will fans be allowed in the ballpark? This year? Next year? If this season isn’t played because of financial disagreement between the owners and players, do fans revolt and stay away from the ballpark next season even if they are allowed to attend, sending the sport into a deeper spiral? The Wilpons’ exclusion of SNY from any potential deal will make a sale difficult in these times, because the Mets reportedly lose money as a separate entity.

What do you think of trading Steven Matz, Amed Rosario and Brandon Nimmo to Boston for Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rafael Devers? — Larry Desteno

Devers, a left-handed hitting third baseman, is only 23 years old and posted a .916 OPS last season. The Red Sox would probably have to be blown away to trade him. All other factors aside, the proposed package of Mets players is probably too light.

Beyond that, Bradley can become a free agent after this season, and if the Mets are including Matz in a trade they are shorting the rotation, damaging their chances to win in 2020. It would also leave Jacob deGrom as the Mets’ only healthy starting pitcher signed for next season. Do the Red Sox really want Rosario after giving shortstop Xander Bogaerts a seven-year contract extension before last season? Maybe Rosario can shift to center field, but wouldn’t the Red Sox want to see him playing the position before trading for him? This trade proposal doesn’t add up.

What are the starting lineups against right-handed and left-handed pitching and can Yoenis Cespedes play in a July 4 opener? — @Llactor

The Mets haven’t provided a recent update on Cespedes, but for the sake of this exercise let’s say he’s not ready. The lineup against righties, including the DH, could go: Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, Robinson Cano, Wilson Ramos, Dominic Smith, Amed Rosario and Brandon Nimmo. Against lefties, Jake Marisnick could hit eighth (with Nimmo on the bench) and Rosario ninth. Nimmo or Rosario batting ninth would give the Mets almost a second leadoff hitter — an experiment they have tried in previous seasons, with the pitcher batting eighth. If Cespedes is ready to begin the season, insert him as the DH and cleanup hitter full time. Davis would move behind Cano in the order.