Part 4/9:
The Mets were under scrutiny last year, but their recent offseason moves cement their status as serious contenders. Owner Steve Cohen has made strategic investments in the team, spending over $800 million this offseason alone. With Alonso in the mix, the lineup is deep enough to intimidate opponents and control the game. As analysts pointed out, dropping Alonso back into the lineup transforms a good lineup into a great one—the Mets have significantly improved their standing in a competitive NL East division.