SAVAGE
VIEWS – Mid -Season Thoughts
July
11, 2022
When the 2022 season started, I was not optimistic about the Mets making the playoffs. There were too many concerns.
I thought the Braves and
Phillies had superior lineups and the Marlins a team on the rise with their quality
young arms. At this point in the
season, it’s clear that the Braves are a better team. As I write this, our team is about the face
the Braves in a critical three game series with our two best players Marte and
McNeil likely out.
This team
has yet to forge an identity. It’s
neither a power hitting team nor one that makes good solid contact on a regular
basis. Lately, there’s been a lot of
bashing Escobar as he has underproduced all season. Unfortunately, there are no suitable
replacements. Guillorme is a solid bench
player whose offensive limitations were exposed when give extended playing time
and Davis has not been a productive player for some time. I’m afraid we are stuck with Escobar for the
near future.
Over the
past couple of weeks our catching tandem of Nido and McCann have outperformed
our dynamic duo of Alonso and Lindor. I
think our big guys have three homers and four runs knocked in over the past
dozen games. Hard to win when your
so-called best players have gone into hibernation.
I thought the acquisitions of Marte, Escobar and Canha would make us a better team. Only Marte has performed up to expectations. Everyone seems excited about how well McNeil has played this year – a bounce back year for him. Personally, I am disappointed.
This is a guy who should be an extra base
machine – pounding doubles from corner to the next. Glad he made the All-Star team, but I would
like to see him drive the ball more.
Early on I
was worried about our bullpen and could not understand how this obvious area of
weakness was not addressed during the off-season. Except for Diaz, today’s bullpen is a disaster. Even if we get a solid six-seven innings from
our starter, I have no confidence that Lugo, Smith or Ottavino will serve as a
bridge to the ninth inning. Someone
needs to explain why no attempt has been made to acquire a dependable lefty for
the pen. We may have the worst BP in MLB.
We make every
left-handed pitcher to be the second coming of Koufax. It’s embarrassing to see
us struggle against the most mediocre of lefties. The two Max’s will probably pitch shutout
innings tonight and the Mets BP will eventually implode.
Showalter
seems to be universally praised in his role as manager. At least he is not TC, nor Callaway and he is
not related to the Alou brothers. However,
I question his BP usage and overall running the team. We started out the year
aggressive on the base paths and stole a couple of wins by doing so. I think we are dead last in steals and no
longer take the extra base. Wonder what
happened.
The one area
we lead the majors is paternity leaves over a 30-day period. At least we know what some of guys are good
at.
Ray
Ray, a sobering analysis.
ReplyDeleteI think the reduction in running has stemmed from leg issues and the disappearance of light-hitting Jankowski.
The Mets absolutely need to start hitting again. And getting McNeil and Marte back. McCann was just starting to hit for the first time since last July, really, and Mazeika and Nido are horrific offensively.
So it seems moves need to be made.
Pitching? It may not be in the plans, but I'd like to see this Thursday's AAA rehab outing by Jake be his last - he should go 50 pitches and can build his pitch count after the ASB in the majors. Lugo is concerning, Smith and Ottavino have been mostly fine. May back end of July, Megill mid-August, thing we have enough pitching. Szapucki was excellent for 6 innings yesterday and could be useful, and Montes de Oca is suddenly a AAA beast with 17 Ks in his last 7 innings, so he may be close, too.
Fix the hitting. Just don't trade for Javy Baez, ever again.
I agree and to prove a point our bottom 4 last night are "hitting" .203 .217 .188 and .176. It reminded me of July 2015 right before the trade deadline when we had Eric Campbell, Kirk N., Anthony Recker and John Mayberry Jr taking up space. Now having said that I get were still very much in the race but but I don't understand the slow pace at which the FO is moving. I get waiting for the right deal at the deadline but we do have for example a player of the month in Blankenhorn and what about Vientos as at this point any warm body would be an improvement at DH at least.
ReplyDeleteI want to go out on the ledge now and slit my throat
ReplyDeleteTwo questions: 1 how much post season experience does Eppler have at any level? 2 Stevies time line to compete was 3 to 5 years so that the biggest question could be does he feel with this team we are all in or not and I would imagine Jake is a big factor here.
ReplyDeleteMack?
ReplyDeleteYes sir?
DeleteThat was a joke about Ray's post.
DeleteThat was a joke about Ray's post.
ReplyDeleteThey’re on track for a 100 win season!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that unless major improvements are made to the pen reaching 100 wins may not happen.
ReplyDeleteThings always look bad in Metsland because we have so much history of disappointment. But the fact is, we have the second most wins in the NL, we just took out the Braves in a 3-game series in their ballpark, and that was without two of our top performers in the first half. We get them back AND JdG in the second half!
ReplyDeleteWe have won 55 games already DESPITE the underperforming Escobar, McCann, Davis, Smith, and some bullpen folks. We WILL be better after the trade deadline.
Oh, and by the way, that formidable Braves lineup has 6-7-8 hitters batting .149; .204; and .173. And they are almost at full strength (Albies' foot injury is the only adversity they face).