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          New York Mets

          Mets 2015 midseason awards: Pitchers win, hitters lose

          Jeurys Familia and Jacob deGrom have been lights out, while Michael Cuddyer has been a free-agent bust. AP Photo
          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterJul 15, 2015, 10:00 AM ET
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          The New York Mets entered the All-Star break having won seven of their final nine games of the first half. They are two games behind the Washington Nationals for first place in the NL East. They are one game behind the Chicago Cubs for the second wild-card slot. Here's a look at the most influential players of the first half -- good and bad:

          MVP: Jeurys Familia

          At a time when Bobby Parnell took longer than expected to return from Tommy John surgery and Jenrry Mejia sat out an 80-game PED suspension, Familia held the bullpen together. He converted 27 of 29 first-half save attempts in dominating fashion. Familia posted a 1.25 ERA and 0.900 WHIP.

          Cy Young: Jacob deGrom

          DeGrom has dodged a sophomore slump the season after earning his Rookie of the Year honor. The Mets’ lone All-Star representative, he is 9-6 with a 2.14 ERA. Given the performances of Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke, it is hard to fathom deGrom gets serious consideration for the national award at season’s end. But pitching the Mets to the postseason would be just fine.

          LVP: Michael Cuddyer

          Cuddyer signed a two-year, $21 million deal that also cost the Mets their first-round pick. At 36, he has looked old and underwhelming so far. Cuddyer has started only four games in July because of a bone bruise below his left kneecap.

          Cy Yuck: Alex Torres

          The Mets are pitching-rich, but that does not mean they’re perfect on the mound. Torres, not Logan Verrett, deserved the boot when Mejia returned from suspension. Torres, acquired on the eve of the season from the San Diego Padres, is not a lefty specialist. He also has walked 21 batters (20 unintentionally) in 28 1/3 innings.

          Biggest Surprise: Bobby Parnell

          Parnell got pounded during his minor league rehab assignment, compiling an 11.57 ERA in 15 appearances between St. Lucie and Binghamton. Yet despite a fastball velocity that has averaged only 92 mph since his return to the majors, Parnell has been dependable as a setup man.

          Biggest Disappointment: Juan Lagares

          After signing a big contract during spring training that covers his arbitration years, Lagares clearly is dealing with a significant elbow issue. A Gold Glove winner in 2014, teams now routinely test his arm. While he still can record a highlight-reel catch, he looks a step slower, too. Offensively, Lagares has not taken a desired step forward. He has only a .284 OBP.