5 Biggest Questions Facing New York Mets Going Into Opening Day 2016

5. Can They Handle Being the Hunted?

As defending National League champs, the Mets will have a huge target on their back this season, a stark contrast from last year when they were able to sneak up on teams. There's definitely a lot more pressure on the Mets this season to live up to expectations, and how they handle that pressure will have a huge impact on how their season unfolds.

5. Can They Handle Being the Hunted?

As defending National League champs, the Mets will have a huge target on their back this season, a stark contrast from last year when they were able to sneak up on teams. There's definitely a lot more pressure on the Mets this season to live up to expectations, and how they handle that pressure will have a huge impact on how their season unfolds.

4. How Will Their Young Pitchers Hold Up?

New York's young but elite pitching staff will have high expectations to live up to in 2016, and that won't be easy. But even more than that, the deep postseason run last year gave all of their young arms a heavy workload, far more than any of them experienced before. How those young arms respond and whether there will be added fatigue or a hangover from all those innings is something to watch this year.

4. How Will Their Young Pitchers Hold Up?

New York's young but elite pitching staff will have high expectations to live up to in 2016, and that won't be easy. But even more than that, the deep postseason run last year gave all of their young arms a heavy workload, far more than any of them experienced before. How those young arms respond and whether there will be added fatigue or a hangover from all those innings is something to watch this year.

3. How Much Will Juan Lagares Play?

With Yoenis Cespedes back, Lagares has been relegated to the role of fourth outfielder. That being said, Lagares has had a strong spring, looks to be in great shape and is a Gold Glove center fielder, so he has plenty to contribute to the team. If there's an injury in the outfield, he can fill in easily, but if not, how much playing time he'll get this year is an uncertainty heading into the season.

3. How Much Will Juan Lagares Play?

With Yoenis Cespedes back, Lagares has been relegated to the role of fourth outfielder. That being said, Lagares has had a strong spring, looks to be in great shape and is a Gold Glove center fielder, so he has plenty to contribute to the team. If there's an injury in the outfield, he can fill in easily, but if not, how much playing time he'll get this year is an uncertainty heading into the season.

2. Can Yoenis Cespedes Repeat Last Year's Success?

Cespedes was a monumental difference maker for the Mets in August and September last season, and the team spent $28 million to bring him back in 2016. Still, the question remains whether he will be able to replicate that over the course of a full season. The Mets' hopes this year are largely contingent on Cespedes having a big year, so they need him to repeat last year's success.

2. Can Yoenis Cespedes Repeat Last Year's Success?

Cespedes was a monumental difference maker for the Mets in August and September last season, and the team spent $28 million to bring him back in 2016. Still, the question remains whether he will be able to replicate that over the course of a full season. The Mets' hopes this year are largely contingent on Cespedes having a big year, so they need him to repeat last year's success.

1. How Healthy is David Wright?

We know Wright isn't 100 percent healthy, but how close to 100 percent is he, and how many games can he play this year? The Mets still need Wright to be an impact player for them, so they can't afford to lose him to a long DL stint like last season. We know he won't play every day, but heading into the season, there's little clarity on how often he'll need a day off to rest and how that may impact his season.

1. How Healthy is David Wright?

We know Wright isn't 100 percent healthy, but how close to 100 percent is he, and how many games can he play this year? The Mets still need Wright to be an impact player for them, so they can't afford to lose him to a long DL stint like last season. We know he won't play every day, but heading into the season, there's little clarity on how often he'll need a day off to rest and how that may impact his season.