What do the Mets need to do between now and the trading deadline? Obviously when the team is in first place there is usually not a call for a radical overhaul, but it’s very clear to anyone observing the team that the club simply is not hitting. Granted, the injuries have been a large part of the problem, but there’s not a single hitter on the club doing what would be considered league average performance let alone All-Star worthy consideration.
A group of fellow Mets fans gathered together this week and the question arose as to what exactly was going wrong? You can work your way down the list of Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Francisco Lindor, James McCann, Dom Smith, Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Kevin Pillar, Albert Almora and others...is anyone hitting over .250? The one batter who was a regular who seemed to be getting his stick into the game is hurt -- J.D. Davis -- and Jonathan Villar has had a few headline moments. That is it for the entire offensive unit.
Obviously the hitting coach being replaced was a step towards addressing the issue, but nothing really has improved. Granted, no coach is going to step in and wave a magic wand to restore line drives and long balls to the batters when they approach the plate, but you’d think something would have happened. Would they take more bases on balls? Would they hit behind the runners? Would they at least get on base?
Some folks are ready to push the panic button, breaking up the core team that is atop the division.
Really?
It would seem to me that if history teaches us anything, it’s what realistic expectations are. Is Jeff McNeil a Punch and Judy scratch hitter? Is Dom Smith unable to drive the ball? Is Francisco Lindor the second coming of Rey Ordonez with the bat? I think the answer to all of these questions are a resounding no.
Consequently, the concept of taking what’s struggling but working and disassembling it seems somewhat foolhardy given there’s nowhere for the bats to go but up. What happens to this team’s position in the standings if the players start hitting as expected? It would seem then it would be much easier to win ballgames.
Similarly, the Mets have been pitching far better than expected on most days, but they’re doing so right now with a starting rotation that includes Marcus Stroman, David Peterson and a whole lot of finger crossing. Jake deGrom should be back soon. Noah Syndergaard should be here by July. Taijuan Walker is likely just on a short term precautionary stay on the IL and Carlos Carrasco will show his face soon enough.
Until then, however, the team is relying an awful lot on pitchers not slated to start, to relieve or even to reside on the major league roster. It’s frustrating to see some of these folks struggle, but at the same time it gives some hints as to who may be a part of the future and who may be working elsewhere before this season ends. Remember, they’re in first place. Take a deep breath and try to enjoy the unexpected ride.
13 comments:
To paraphrase Bill Parcels, you are what the back of your baseball card says you are. There are good seasons and bad seasons but generally players will end up approximating their baseball cards. The exceptions are young players whose development could go either way and their history is limited.
Just an FYI to the administrator-I am old and I can't see and the images I need to click on to prove I'm not a robot often prevents me from even bothering to post anything.
Welcome back, Reese. You make a lot of good points here, but why no mention of the manager?
People are quick to call for the manager's head to roll when a team underperforms, but when a team with all the injuries (16 on the IL at last count) is 2.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Phils, shouldn't Luis get some of the credit?
If we were told before OD that all the woes you mentioned would happen, where would we expect the team to be right now?
As optimistic as I always am, I would expect them to be floundering at or near 5th in the division, not at or near 5th in the entire league. That's the stuff that MOTY candidates have.
Reese "Why are first place fans so miserable" because were Met fans and the sky is always falling it's in our DNA particularly real old timers but it has been exciting to watch this bunch no doubt. At the same time you can't help but wonder how long we can go like this because it wouldn't surprise me if Rojas grabed a glove and took the field...by the way what position did he play? I love that their playing Nido he deserves it and shows a new Met game plan which is refreshing and long overdue: play the hot hand.
Bill I totally agree
Holmer
Sorry about this.
This is a function of the Blogspot site and there is nothing I do about it.
And... bet I am older than you? :)
So...
The fans want Luis' head because he doesn't pick the lineup, doesn't pick the max amount of pitches per pitcher and the team is in first place by 5 games in the loss column...
BTW
Stroman always has a max pitch could around 80.
So Mack do you sign him long term?
That's an interesting question about (I assume) Stroman. He doesn't have the overly aggressive speed nor the twisting curve of other pitchers that suggest an arm injury waiting to happen. His control and his success on the NL mound suggest he might be a good long term fit considering they have others like deGrom and Syndergaard to throw the ball through a wall. He gives a very different look and it's working.
Sorry...
SIX games ahead in loss column.
No.
I re-evaluate after the season is done.
If the Mets make it to the WS and he does everything they spoon feed to him, how do you fire him?
Too early to make decisions. Get everyone back healthy and the last 100 games could be like 1986.
Also, I hope Lugo is back within and a week and Thor well before July 1, after his first outing a few days ago.
Where are you, Cookie?
Is the trade deadline still the end of July? I noticed that the draft is a month later than usual (mid-July). Is there a reason for that?
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