How 2014 actually went.
With Harvey recovering, the Mets looked for progress from the rest of the young roster. Jacob deGrom arrived in May with little hype and quickly became the season’s best surprise. His long hair, calm manner, and command helped him win Rookie of the Year and added another serious arm to the rotation.
Lucas Duda took over first base and hit 30 home runs, Daniel Murphy made the All-Star team, and the club improved by five wins. The offense was still inconsistent, and Citi Field often felt quiet, but the pitching foundation was becoming clear. Zack Wheeler completed a full season, while Syndergaard and Steven Matz moved closer in the minors.
A 79–83 record left the Mets just below .500. It was not enough to satisfy fans tired of waiting, yet the pieces that would drive 2015 were now almost assembled. deGrom’s arrival mattered most because it was unexpected. The organization already believed it had pitching; finding another future ace made the coming window deeper than anyone had planned.
Harvey was missing, and somehow the Mets found another long-haired ace anyway.