(PC - Ed Delany)
So, what went wrong?
I’ll Tell Ya.
The Mets’ season in 2022 has been put in the books, losing 2 of 3 in an all-too-short playoff cameo - the main underlying reason 101 pre-playoff wins were achieved prior thereto was Edwin Diaz, period.
He was the unstoppable beast.
But starting in early September, Diaz was grossly underutilized because the Mets were not in nearly enough situations to bring forth their biggest competitive advantage…that is, the team had which is an Edwin Diaz.
Lots of good things happened in 2022, but they fell short - perhaps on another day I’ll go through the reasons why I think they did fall short.
But in 2023, the theme has to be Francisco times two.
We’ve got the outstanding shortstop of the Franciscan Order.
Now we need to ordain the outstanding Franciscan catcher.
The Mets 2022 catching offense was putrid. Simply substandard.
Francisco Alvarez will be ready in six months to take over the lead Mets catching role. I believe he’ll hit .230 next year. I believe he’ll hit 25 home runs next year. I believe that will be fine.
And compared to the Mets’ 2022 catching offensive output, that will be a major upgrade. And that major upgrade will be needed as the carousel of players leaving this team could resemble the Long Island Expressway at rush-hour.
This creaky team needs to get younger. We need to see BrettBaty play next year. We need to see a lot of Álvarez next year. And perhaps, having been broken in, we need to see a lot of power-hitting Mark Vientos too.
All depends on how the carousel action, which will be furious, heats up.
I have a feeling the roster will be in flux, and Francisco Time Two seems like the right formula to me.
DEAD WOOD:
Saw this in NY Post today:
Darin Ruf: He’s signed through next season, but can the Mets bring him back after his brutal two months with the club?
Brennan: Just say NO!
17 comments:
Unfortunately the Mets will eat som salary next year as they DFA both McCann and Ruf. They do have to get younger, but I don’t see them being as competitive after they lose much of the team to free agency. This makes it very painful to pay Scherzer for a 2023 season that won’t end with 101 wins or a playoff berth.
Hard to picture the Mets winning the division next year, either. Max turned into Mini-Max, unfortunately.
The real playoffs (post-wild card) start today. To me, it is like the Mets flopped in the pre-playoffs.
I believe Alvarez out does that average. He could have a monster year starting from April. let him fly. I also think it's time to start Baty too. Fill the other 24 man spots with money players.
Baty looks good, but after his injury EE carried the team in September, from BOTH sides of the plate, and he deserves first shot at the 3B job.
Baty/Vientos might be a terrific DH combo, or they might both be exposed as needing more AAA time.
We need to get younger. Alvarez, Baty and Vientos all should be starters next year.
Ernest, I'd take more than .230 from Francisco in 2023. Alonso managed to do a lot better than .230 his first year (although he was older). I think long term, Alvarez will be as good or better a hitter than Pete. And that is high praise.
Baty hardly had any AAA time, so if he started out in AAA, I'd not be surprised, but I think he will be in Queens again by May. I still think Vientos learned a lot, broke the ice, and will be far more productive in 2023. Huge power guy, too, although he does not hit rockets like Alvarez. Alvarez has 75-80 power in my opinion, Vientos 60-65.
Ownership's question is, do they try to build another 100 win team for 2023, as that may be their only hope of catching the Braves, who went 78-34 over their last 112 games in 2022? Or do they dump salary for a year and look to do a mini-rebuild?
Ray, I would like to see all 3 as starters next year. Unless the Mets decide on a partial rebuild, I'd really be surprised if all 3 are starters from day 1. Those 3 guys will not get you close to 100 wins next year. By 2024, they could, along with Mauricio and Ramirez, perhaps, during that season.
What is fact is the Braves are the gold standard unfortunately and at this point we have to play the kids and build a pitching staff and get a power bat and shoot for a playoff spot. What needs to change is how the Braves can bring up players that play like All-stars from day one and with us Alvy, Baty and Vientos added little except promise so SC's FO HAS TO address that. Is it talent evaluation or coaching or both or something else. Also WE CAN'T RESIGN JAKE as the last thing we need is another 5/6 inning pitcher getting 40 mil. who will probably start 15 to 20 games at best. One of those guys is one too many but then again this season was all or nothing. Question to everyone do we get to put a QOer on Jake if he opts out?
Two more things Buck had a good season but that stunt about him going to the mound to check Musgroves ear was Bush league and embarrassing as were getting our butts kick take it like a man Buck. Any guesses on other QOers and how many more draft picks we could get?
Gary, if you could only pick one for his entire career, would it be brilliant, low win Jake, or effervescent, high win Bartolo?
Gary, here are the QO rules:
https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/qualifying-offer
LOL Tom Bartolo in a minute. Jake is just soooo low key and I want some fire and I really don't think he wants to stay.
Gary, when Jake pitches I always feel it is so serious, and I'm nervous and white-knuckling it. When Bart pitched for the Mets, it was (win or lose) let the revelries get started! He was really something.
Escobar can DH
Agree that Escobar can DH - but he still can play 3B, too. There will be soe rotation, I'd think, between DH and position playing.
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