New York Mets

The New York Mets have had little reason to be optimistic for the past few years, but this year has the potential be different.

The Mets' 2014 season is just days away from beginning, and the team is hoping to have a winning record for the first time since 2008. After making various moves, there is certainly reason to believe that this could finally happen.

Here are five big reasons why the Mets could have a winning record this season.

Begin Slideshow

While 2015 and the return of Matt Harvey will likely be the realistic time to start discussing playoff odds for the New York Mets, this team has plenty of exciting individuals that should keep fans watching throughout the season.

Through the rest of this slideshow, I have made five bold predictions about the Mets 2014 season. Some of these predictions you might agree with, while others you may find absurd, but that is what makes them bold predictions.

Spring training is almost done, and this means that roster cuts and adjustments have either been made or need to be made in order to come up with the best possible 25-man roster for Opening Day.

This time of year can be very rewarding for those who make the Opening Day roster or very disappointing for those who are either optioned to the minor leagues or released.

Here are three big winners and three big losers for the New York Mets' spring training this year.

The New York Mets sent down a number of their top prospects earlier this week, but many made an impression that should excite fans moving forward.

The New York Mets will be without ace Matt Harvey in 2014 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Luckily, the team still has a host of promising young arms to look forward to in right-handers Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero.

The New York Mets are 2-3 in spring training after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 on March 4. The record holds no bearing on the regular season and expectations are tepid, but fans are excited about the future rotation.

There is plenty of optimism surrounding the New York Mets heading into the 2014 season, but is there too much at this point in the spring?

John Harper of the New York Daily News reported on February 27 that Mets general manager Sandy Alderson set a goal of 90 wins in a meeting with team executives.

The New York Mets will host the split-squad Miami Marlins at Tradition Field Saturday at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Mets starter John Lannan faces Kevin Slowey of the Marlins. Lannan is one of several candidates for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation.

The New York Mets have finished below .500 in each of the past five seasons and haven't made the playoffs since 2006, but hope springs eternal as a new crop of stars prepares to make an impact in 2014.