The New York Mets opened the 2016 season as the defending National League champions at home with a 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The season started slowly, but the Mets picked up momentum in late April and early May, going 17-6 in one stretch with the offense clicking on all cylinders. But injuries to key starting players David Wright and Lucas Duda caught up with the team in June, and the Mets found themselves hovering six games above .500 at the All-Star break as the offense struggled.
Matt Harvey’s inconsistencies were a big question from the beginning of season. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder pain on July 4 and later opted to have season-ending surgery to resolve a condition called thoracic outlet syndrome. He finished the year 4-10, with a 4.86 ERA.
The Mets acquired Reds slugger Jay Bruce at the trade deadline for top 2B prospect Dilson Herrera. But the Bruce pickup was not quite as impactful as the Yoenis Céspedes acquisition the year before: Bruce totaled just eight home runs and 19 RBI in 50 games as a Met. The Mets did get a spark out of former star José Reyes, who was brought in to fill the void at 3B and in the leadoff spot. But in late August, they fell two games under .500, third place in the division and 2 1/2 games out of the wildcard.
The Mets finished the last 40 games 27-13 despite losing 2B Neil Walker and starting pitchers Jacob DeGrom and Steven Matz to the injury bug. They clinched the first wildcard spot on the second-to-last game of the season only to lose the wildcard game at Citi Field to the Giants and Madison Bumgarner.

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New York Mets Curtis Granderson (3) leaps as he introduced during Opening Day ceremonies against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Friday, April 8, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) In a photo taken with fish-eye lens, the New York Mets stand and cheer as Michael Conforto drives in an RBI against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day at Citi Field in New York City, Friday, April 8, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) throws in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, April 10, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets David Wright (5) singles to left in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) The 2016 MLB Season at Citi Field New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (27) throws in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Neil Walker (20) is congratulated after homering in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Monday, April 25, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Lucas Duda (21) slides in safe at home plate in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets outfielders Juan Lagares (12), Alejandro De Aza (16) and Michael Conforto (30) celebrate the Mets 5-2 win against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Wilmer Flores stays loose in the dugout during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field in New York, Friday, April 29, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Michael Conforto (30) after scoring in the third inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field in New York, Friday, April 29, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Yoenis Cespedes (52) celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the third inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field in New York, Friday, April 29, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Michael Conforto (30) homers in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, April 30, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) has a private catch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field in New York, Monday, May 2, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) The New York Mets mob David Wright after he singled home the winning run on a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Mets rallied past the Brewers 5-4 in ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, May 21, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets 3B David Wright (5) fist bumps a young fan in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, May 22, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Curtis Granderson is given a Gatorade bath courtesy of Kevin Plawecki after Granderson's game winning home run the against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field in New York, Friday, May 27, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) The wife and son of former 1986 New York Mets catcher Gary Carter stand on the field during a ceremony honoring the 1986 World Champions at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, May 28, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) is ejected in the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, May 28, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Rene Rivera (44) breaks his bat while singling in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field in New York, Monday, May 30, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) comes off the field in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, May 31, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets relief pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) does a hair flip after throwing a pitch in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, May 31, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jon Niese blows a bubble as he heads to the dugout before the baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, June 16, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) In a photo taken with a fisheye lens, the sun begins to set during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets from the right field corner on the promenade level at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, June 21, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
In a photo taken with a fisheye lens, New York Mets 1B James Loney (28) reaches up to make the catch of a foul ball in the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, June 21, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) Ashtin "Mini Thor" Gerberg throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, June 22, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Asdrubal Cabrera (13) slides safe at home plate in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, June 22, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) goes airborne over Miami Marlins Derek Dietrich (32) for the double play in the ninth inning at Citi Field in New York, Monday, July 4, 2016. The Mets won 8-6. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Brandon Nimmo (9) gives thanks after singling in the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Monday, July 4, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets relief pitcher Logan Verrett (35) sticks out his glove behind his back to rob Miami Marlins Adeiny Hechavarria of a base hit in the fifth inning at Citi Field in New York, Monday, July 4, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Asdrubal Cabrera (13) slides into 3B in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Monday, July 4, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Yoenis Cespedes yells as Mets staff cheer on a young fan setting a whiffle ball home run record on Citi Vision in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Monday, July 4, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets 2nd baseman Wilmer Flores (4) fires a throw to 1st base in the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, July 5, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) leaps up and crashes into outfield wall making a catch during batting practice before the baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, July 5, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets All-Star pitcher Noah Syndergaard shows off his marketing skills as he displays a bottle of Doctor Earth Raw Juice Blend before the start of the baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, July 5, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) heads out on the field in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Curtis Granderson (3) removes the helmet of Wilmer Flores (4) after Flores homered in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets shortstop Asdubral Cabrera (13) fires a throw to complete the double play in the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, July 7, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Curtis Granderson (3) pretends to take snapshots of relief pitchers as they head to the bullpen before the baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, July 7, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Asdrúbal Cabrera (13) pumps his fists in the air as he rounds 3rd base following Wilmer Flores' three-run homer in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, July 7, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) Colorado Rockies Charlie Blackmon (19) in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Friday, July 29, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) The sun begins to set just behind the retired numbers on a beautiful night for baseball as the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets play at Citi Field in New York, Friday, July 29, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Yoenis Cespedes (52) beats the throw into home plate to score in the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, July 7, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Justin Ruggiano (1) leaps but can't make the catch in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, July 30, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Yankees Brett Gardner (11) slams his bat down after striking out in the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, August 2, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez (13) sits in the dugout during in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Monday, August 1, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets fans look for autographs before the baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Neil Walker stands for national anthem before the baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets captain David Wright stands for the National Anthem as Addison Reed checks for on switch before the baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz fires a pitch during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Neil Walker (20) is congratulated at home plate by Curtis Granderson (3) after homering in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets T.J. Rivera (54) singles for his first big league hit in the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) The torn pants of Arizona Diamondbacks Brandon Drury as he stands on deck in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Aug. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Jay Bruce (19) connects in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
A plane flies by after take off from La Guardia Airport as the sun begins to set just beyond the retired numbers at Citi Field in New York, Aug. 12, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Jose Reyes (7) slides head first into 3B in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Wilmer Flores (4) breaks his bat for a single in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Asdrubal Cabrera (13) and Jose Reyes (7) celebrate Reyes; home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Travis d’Arnaud (18) is thrown out at the plate in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Jose Reyes (7) stands in the dugout in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Yoenis Cespedes (52) flips his bat in the air after blasting a three run homer in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets fans attempt to catch Kelly Johnson's home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Jose Reyes (7) scores as he collides with Miami Marlins relief pitcher A.J. Ramos (44) on a wild pitch in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Citi Field in New York, Monday, August 29, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Yoenis Cespedes is greeted at home plate by teammates after his home run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Mets a 2-1 victory against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, August 29, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez finds the camera in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, September 1, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Asdrubal Cabrera (13) and Jose Reyes (7) celebrate Cabrera's first inning home run against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, August 30, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
Washington Nationals Trea Turner (7) scores on a sacrifice fly by Bryce Harper in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Friday, Sept. 2, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) A fan uses his mobile device to take a photo the sunset on the left field stairs at Citi Field during the baseball game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) U.S. Olympic Gold Medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez threw the first pitch out in her own unique way before the baseball game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets at Citi Field at New York, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Travis d’Arnaud (18) scores on James Loney's double in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Curtis Granderson (3) leaps on to home plate as teammates greet him after homering in the twelfth inning in the Mets 3-2 win over the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in New York, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets prospect Brandon Nimmo and Phillip Evans rub top prospect Dominic Smith’s belly before being honored as a winner of the 2016 Sterling Equities Award at Citi FIeld on Sept. 19, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
The New York Mets minor league players are honored with the 2016 Sterling Equities Awards,from left to right, top; Raul Beracierta, Andres Gimenez, Carlos Sanchez, Desmond Lindsay, Tomas Nido, Dominic Smith, Phillip Evans, T.J. Rivera, Amed Rosario. From left to right, bottom; Brandon Nimmo, Thomas Szapucki, David Thompson, P.J. Conlon, before the baseball game on Sept. 19, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) The lights go and the evening sky turns red at sundown before the baseball game against the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, September 21, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Robert Gsellman (65) throws in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, September 20, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
Atlanta Braves Chase d'Arnaud enjoys a moment with the photographers while signing for a fan before the baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Tuesday, September 20, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) Atlanta Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte goes up to rob New York Mets Yoenis Cespedes of a home run in the ninth inning at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, September 21, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Seth Lugo (67) release a pitch in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets Jose Reyes (7) rounds bases after homering in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Met fans react as Lucas Duda's deep drive to right field hooks foul in the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets Asdrubal Cabrera (13) gets a hand rub from Yoenis Cespedes (52) during player introductions before the National League wild-card baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, October 5, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets grounds crew manager Ryan Woodley changes bases in between innings during the National League wild-card baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, October 5, 2016. The Giants beat the Mets 3-0 to advance to the NLDS. (Gordon Donovan) New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (27) stands on the mound in disbelief after surrendering a three-run homer in the ninth inning of a National League wild-card baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, October 5, 2016. The Giants defeated the Mets 3-0 to advance to the NLDS. (Gordon Donovan) San Francisco Giants Madison Bumgarner (40) pumps his fist after the final out of the National League wild-card baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Bumgarner pitched a complete-game shutout to beat the Mets 3-0. (Gordon Donovan)

Photos taken during the 2016 season using a Canon EOS-1D X DSLR and EOS-1D Mark IV DSLR with a EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom lens, Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens and Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Lens.