PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- For the Mets, the good vibes of Spring Training lasted until the final week of camp, when they learned that Jacob deGrom had suffered a shoulder injury that will likely sideline him at least for the first two months of the season. While the news cast a pall over Spring Training, the Mets had little choice but to move on quickly and thoroughly. Before even knowing the full extent of the diagnosis, team officials were already drawing up contingency plans.

That begins with all the offseason work the front office completed to acquire another ace in Max Scherzer, as well as some key offensive upgrades in Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar and Mark Canha. The hope is that those players can not only help keep the Mets afloat while deGrom is sidelined, but even allow them to thrive despite his absence.

This team is built to withstand injuries. And while deGrom is still probably the most important member of the roster, many other factors will be at play throughout the long summer. Here’s a breakdown of where the Mets stand heading into Opening Day:

What needs to go right?
The Mets had been hoping for a combined 60-plus starts from deGrom and Scherzer. At this point, they’ll probably settle for 40-plus considering deGrom’s injury and Scherzer’s recent history of minor aches and pains. But they need at least that much from their twin aces. While few people doubt the quality of innings that deGrom and Scherzer can provide on the days they take the mound, there’s reason to doubt their ability to appear in games consistently. Concern also exists regarding how well the Mets can cope if additional injuries strike. Health, especially for deGrom and Scherzer, will be paramount all season.

Great unknown
Of course, this is deGrom, who has not been healthy and productive over a full season since 2019. Now, his short- and long-term outlooks are once again in question. If deGrom, who is suffering from a stress reaction in his scapula, can return in June to give the Mets 20-plus solid starts, they’ll sign up for that right now. But if deGrom’s injury lingers or he’s not himself when he returns, the Mets could struggle to string together wins.

Team MVP will be...
Francisco Lindor, and not simply because he was on fire all spring. Lindor’s disappointing first season in Flushing seemed to make some folks forget about the fact that he’s still a 28-year-old, five-tool shortstop in his prime. As recently as 2019, Lindor displayed his ceiling as one of the top offensive threats in the game. Combine it with elite defense and baserunning, and he’s as good a bet as any to lead the Mets in overall production.

When Carlos Beltrán joined the Mets on a record contract in 2005, he struggled before bouncing back in a significant way during his second season. Team officials fully expect Lindor to do the same.

Team Cy Young will be…
Chris Bassitt. While Bassitt doesn’t have the elite stuff of deGrom or Scherzer, he’s a better bet to stay healthy over six months, so he’s the pick here to be the Mets’ most effective pitcher. Over 27 starts last year, Bassitt produced a 3.15 ERA. He owns a 3.26 mark over the last three seasons and is a decent bet to post something in that neighborhood during his first season in the NL East.

Bold prediction
Edwin Díaz will lead the Majors in saves. For as talented as Díaz is, he still seems to be fighting off the reputation of his disappointing Mets debut in 2019, in which he blew seven saves, took seven losses and posted a 5.59 ERA. But Díaz was elite the following summer and solid last season. Now, he’s the unquestioned closer of a team that many expect to fight for the NL East crown. A gaudy saves total should follow. Remember, this is the same pitcher whose 57 saves with the Mariners in 2018 led the Majors by a wide margin. He certainly possesses the skill set to do it again.