SAVAGE VIEWS – Got Some Questions

SAVAGE VIEWS – Got Some Questions

Here we are with a 14-6 record after 20 games and I'm not a happy camper. Guess after following the Mets for 60 years, I tend to look at the dark side. Time to get a few things off my chest.

During the past offseason, we all knew the Mets needed to acquire at least one more starting pitcher, Carlos Rodon looked to be the perfect fit – a left hander with a proven track record. Had we signed Rodan instead off trading for Bassitt, we would still have Ginn and Oller in our farm system. A strange move indeed.

Seiya Suzuki has lived up to the hype. How come we made no serious attempt to sign him? He could have been a difference maker for us.

For the past few years, I have been shouting from the rooftops that we need to improve our bullpen. Instead, we seem to be moving in the wrong direction. While our starting pitching has been outstanding, remember that in 2021 we had one of the best rotations in baseball up to the all-star break when things when south. Unless improvements are made to the pen, this will be a long season.

Someone needs to explain the me the reason Sean-Foley is brought into a close game. I would expect our object is to win every game - not concede the game in the fourth inning. Another case of poor bullpen management which has been a trend during the early season.

Our offense against left-handed pitching continues to be abysmal. While we did score four runs against Matz, it took a lucky bounce to open the gates. In the early going we have not done well against quality pitching. Our offense is as concern. While I love the additions of Marte, Canha and Escobar, their overall production has not been great thus far. And Alonso has turned into a singles hitter – what has happened to his power?

Jeff McNeil has been our best hitter and yet has been benched against left-handed pitching for Guillorme. Does that make any sense? I appreciate the desire to get everyone playing time, but why do it at the expense of sitting your best hitter.

Last year I was disturbed because I thought Nido was not getting enough playing time. This year I have the opposite complaint. Why sit McCann after a three-hit game. It was nice to see Nido get a couple of hits, but this platoon has got to stop. McCann is the better player and should be catching three of every four games.

Jankowski and Nido are the only true bench players on the team and Jankowski may not make it to May 1st unless there is an injury. Jankowski is the best defensive outfielder on the team and he contributes in a number of intangible ways. To lose him would be a shame.

The next week should give us a better understanding of where the season is heading.