Paul Articulates - Here's to your health!

 

In a recent check on some stats MLB’s site, I was reminded once again how important it is to maintain a healthy roster.  On the MLB site, to qualify as a statistical leader, a player must have at least “3.1 plate appearances per team game played” or as a pitcher “1.0 innings pitched per team game played”.  

How many position players from the NY Mets roster qualified in 2021 you ask?  

Three – Alonso, Lindor, and Villar.  

How many pitchers?  

One – Stroman.

There has been a great deal written in 2021 about what caused the Mets woes, with a huge drop in player performance for many players versus their career averages.  Of course there are many factors, but I believe that player health was a primary contributor.

Peak performance in MLB requires not only great skill, but also keen muscle memory honed by many, many repetitions.  This is why the season starts with spring training, why players coming off IL do rehab assignments in the minors, and why broadcasters are constantly reminding viewers that a returning player is “not locked in yet”.  

So it is not too mysterious that when 36 players on a 40 man roster (that’s 90%) can’t qualify for MLB statistical relevance, the team is not having a good year.

Earlier in the year we all lamented the number of “soft tissue” injuries that were happening.  I still can’t wrap my head around how a hamstring kept Carrasco out of the game for six months.  Some players (Nimmo, McNeil) came off IL only to go back on again within weeks.  Only Nimmo regained his stroke.

So to those who want to blow up the Mets’ roster to get rid of all the underperforming players while their value is at an all-time low, I would suggest a little more patience.  Many of these players can bounce back to the performance level we expected before the 2021 season began.  

They just need a better health management approach (a top priority for the new POBO) and a consistent set of reps to get back to performing in tune with their skill sets.  There will be some changes made by new leadership in line with strategic plans and payroll considerations – but the right approach is more likely evolution than demolition.