Predicting New York Mets’ 2016 Opening Day Lineup

1. Curtis Granderson, Right Field

Granderson is still New York's best option in the leadoff spot. While he may not be a huge threat to steal bases, he still runs well enough and did a phenomenal job of getting on base at a high rate last season. Ideally, he would hit lower in the order so he could drive in more runs with all the home runs he hit last year, but if he gets on base at a similar rate, the Mets will take it.

1. Curtis Granderson, Right Field

Granderson is still New York's best option in the leadoff spot. While he may not be a huge threat to steal bases, he still runs well enough and did a phenomenal job of getting on base at a high rate last season. Ideally, he would hit lower in the order so he could drive in more runs with all the home runs he hit last year, but if he gets on base at a similar rate, the Mets will take it.

2. David Wright, Third Base

Terry Collins believes in putting his best hitters towards the top of the lineup, and when healthy Wright is still one of the team's most productive players. He still hasn't made his spring debut, but Wright will find a way to be ready for opening day. Collins will have to move some things around when Wright takes days off, but on opening day he'll be hitting second.

2. David Wright, Third Base

Terry Collins believes in putting his best hitters towards the top of the lineup, and when healthy Wright is still one of the team's most productive players. He still hasn't made his spring debut, but Wright will find a way to be ready for opening day. Collins will have to move some things around when Wright takes days off, but on opening day he'll be hitting second.

3. Yoenis Cespedes, Designated Hitter

Cespedes figures to hit in the No. 3 hole all season, and because the Mets open the season in Kansas City, he'll start the season as the DH, where Collins probably should have put him for Games 1 and 2 of the World Series last year. Ultimately, Cespedes will be the team's everyday center fielder, but he's with the Mets to hit, so there's no shame in making him the DH on opening day.

3. Yoenis Cespedes, Designated Hitter

Cespedes figures to hit in the No. 3 hole all season, and because the Mets open the season in Kansas City, he'll start the season as the DH, where Collins probably should have put him for Games 1 and 2 of the World Series last year. Ultimately, Cespedes will be the team's everyday center fielder, but he's with the Mets to hit, so there's no shame in making him the DH on opening day.

4. Lucas Duda, First Base

Love him or hate him, Duda has ridiculous amounts of power that opposing pitchers need to respect. This makes him best suited to provide protection for Cespedes in the Mets' lineup. His home runs tend to come in bunches, but the threat is always there. Barring a massive slump, it'll be hard to move him out of the cleanup spot this season. The Mets just need to hope for a little more consistency out of Duda.

4. Lucas Duda, First Base

Love him or hate him, Duda has ridiculous amounts of power that opposing pitchers need to respect. This makes him best suited to provide protection for Cespedes in the Mets' lineup. His home runs tend to come in bunches, but the threat is always there. Barring a massive slump, it'll be hard to move him out of the cleanup spot this season. The Mets just need to hope for a little more consistency out of Duda.

5. Neil Walker, Second Base

Walker gives the Mets some flexibility, as he could hit in a few different places, including the No. 2 spot when Wright is out of the lineup, but he likely starts the season hitting fifth. He has more pop than last year's second baseman, Daniel Murphy, so it's fine to slot him in the lineup behind Duda.

5. Neil Walker, Second Base

Walker gives the Mets some flexibility, as he could hit in a few different places, including the No. 2 spot when Wright is out of the lineup, but he likely starts the season hitting fifth. He has more pop than last year's second baseman, Daniel Murphy, so it's fine to slot him in the lineup behind Duda.

6. Travis d'Arnaud, Catcher

Having d'Arnaud hitting sixth really gives the Mets a substantial amount of depth in their lineup. Obviously, he's had a problem staying on the field throughout his career, but if he can stay healthy, d'Arnaud is poised to have a big year. Hitting sixth in the lineup is a good spot for him to do some damage.

6. Travis d'Arnaud, Catcher

Having d'Arnaud hitting sixth really gives the Mets a substantial amount of depth in their lineup. Obviously, he's had a problem staying on the field throughout his career, but if he can stay healthy, d'Arnaud is poised to have a big year. Hitting sixth in the lineup is a good spot for him to do some damage.

7. Michael Conforto, Left Field

Some day, Conforto will hit higher in the order, perhaps No. 2 or No. 3, and that day may come later this season. But he'll start the season hitting seventh, adding even more depth to the Mets' lineup. Having Conforto down in the order will help alleviate some of the pressure on him to repeat what he did last season, at least until he gets more comfortable, especially facing left-handed pitching.

7. Michael Conforto, Left Field

Some day, Conforto will hit higher in the order, perhaps No. 2 or No. 3, and that day may come later this season. But he'll start the season hitting seventh, adding even more depth to the Mets' lineup. Having Conforto down in the order will help alleviate some of the pressure on him to repeat what he did last season, at least until he gets more comfortable, especially facing left-handed pitching.

8. Wilmer Flores, Shortstop

Asdrubal Cabrera was signed to be New York's everyday shortstop, but with his recent injury he's unlikely to be ready to go for opening day. Fortunately for the Mets, Flores is more than capable of filling in at shortstop for as long as they need him. Flores isn't great defensively, but he can handle the position on a short-term basis and there's no doubt he can contribute offensively.

8. Wilmer Flores, Shortstop

Asdrubal Cabrera was signed to be New York's everyday shortstop, but with his recent injury he's unlikely to be ready to go for opening day. Fortunately for the Mets, Flores is more than capable of filling in at shortstop for as long as they need him. Flores isn't great defensively, but he can handle the position on a short-term basis and there's no doubt he can contribute offensively.

9. Juan Lagares, Center Field

Starting the season in an American League park will allow the Mets to use Lagares in center field on opening day. With Cespedes back and Conforto likely to cement himself in left field, it may be tough to find Lagares playing time. But he's made a great impression on the team this spring, and the Mets will try to play him early in the season to see if he can have a bounce-back year.

9. Juan Lagares, Center Field

Starting the season in an American League park will allow the Mets to use Lagares in center field on opening day. With Cespedes back and Conforto likely to cement himself in left field, it may be tough to find Lagares playing time. But he's made a great impression on the team this spring, and the Mets will try to play him early in the season to see if he can have a bounce-back year.

Matt Harvey, Pitcher

There are a few pitchers the Mets could make their opening day starter, but the honor should really go to Harvey. He's been the face of the rotation for the past few years, even the year he missed due to Tommy John. After the performances he gave the team during the playoffs last year, it's only fitting that Harvey be the opening day starter in 2016.

Matt Harvey, Pitcher

There are a few pitchers the Mets could make their opening day starter, but the honor should really go to Harvey. He's been the face of the rotation for the past few years, even the year he missed due to Tommy John. After the performances he gave the team during the playoffs last year, it's only fitting that Harvey be the opening day starter in 2016.