SAVAGE VIEWS – Ray on Fire

 

May 6, 2021

I’m angry at what I see as the mismanagement of this Mets team.  With the exceptional pitching we have had over the first month of the season, we should be running away with the NL East.

As I write this, news has come down that Chili Davis has been fired.  I was going to suggest that in this post.  When a team is at the bottom in every offensive category, somebody must shoulder the blame. 

Back to the reasons for my outrage.  It knocked me off my seat on Sunday with the team up by four runs heading into the 9^th that Diaz was brought in on a non-save situation.  Historically, closers tend not to perform well in these circumstances.  The flip side is by bringing Diaz in on Sunday meant he would not be available, if needed, on Monday.  You have to wonder about the thought process here.  It was pure luck they managed to win the game.  After it was clear that Diaz had nothing in the tank, why was he allowed to face Hoskins.

I had no issue with Rojas starting Lucchesi in Monday night’s game.  Even the most casual observer could see that he was struggling badly.  The bullpen should have been ready at the first sign of trouble.  Even after allowing the game tying homerun, he was left in to face two more batters and we know the outcome.  You really have to question the decision making that resulted in another Mets loss.

Prior to the season, I suggested that McCann would not catch more than 120 games.  I think his previous high was 108 games.  That scenario would have Nido catching the other 40 or so games.  Prior to Monday’s game Nido had ten at bats.  McCann has struggled both offensively and defensively.  There can be no valid argument for him to be catching nine games in a row.  It’s hard to remember the last time he made hard contact.

It took an injury to Nimmo for Pillar to get a chance to play.  The last three times he came to the plate with a man on second he produced a hit.  What’s strange is that none of those hits produced an RBI.  One was thrown out at the plate on a marvelous play.  On the other two occasions no attempt was made to score.  On an offensively challenged team I think you need to force the hand of the other team.  With our dismal production of getting a runner in from third with less than two outs, we need to start getting more aggressive.  Last year one of my criticisms of Rojas was the team was not aggressive enough.  I think we are probably last in trying to steal a base.  Hard to understand since we are a team with decent speed.

I was not in favor of the Mets signing Lindor.  To be honest, I was a fan of Rosario and thought he was a more than an adequate SS.   But I accepted the trade expecting that Lindor would be a solid offensive threat.  His defense is as advertised but, I can’t remember seeing a more inept hitter in my lifetime of following this team. 

I have always advocated for McNeil to be a top of the order hitter.  My ideal lineup has McNeil batting second behind Nimmo.  McNeil is probably the best hitter on the team and it’s counter-productive to bat him seventh. Lindor is better suited for the # three slot or lower if he continues to fail to produce.

Maybe it’s time to give Lindor a rest.  They have a former college shortstop on their team who’s a heck of a pitcher.  And, we know deGrom can hit.

 

Ray