I decided to take a break from my top 10 rankings to address someone I know is on the mind of Mets fans. Darin Ruf.
Darin Ruf is on the top of Mets fan's least favorite players right now. We all know how last season went. He was nothing short of horrific in his 29 games. Ruf hit .152 with a .413 ops. He had 10 hits. 0 home runs. That says it all.
What is interesting and somewhat annoying is his career points to great numbers vs lefties. He was supposed to be the answer as the RH DH. His career ops against lefties is .891. That drop-off is, well, significant to say the least. We all know mid-season trades are hard on players. Especially when being traded to NY. In an interview today, Ruf said he struggled with the mid-season switch. To be honest, he did not sound overly confident in handling the NY media daily.
To me, Ruf is the guy fans blame for everything. I do not believe he will bounce back. However, he could not be worse than he was last year. Every team needs players’ fans get to blame for team struggles. Last year it was James McCann and later Darin Ruf. The Yankees have IKF and warning track Donaldson. You need those guys as scapegoats.
With all that said, I would love to see a bounce back. Even a .700 ops would be massive. Maybe Vientos emerges as a replacement too. The Mets need some help in that regard and Alvarez is likely not starting opening day on the roster.
Leave your thoughts below about Ruf and this upcoming season!
I don't know why the Mets are going to give this guy another chance. He's already down with a wrist thing and there is so much young bat talent bubbling at the top.of the chain.
ReplyDeleteMack, Eppler is so dying to save face on his brain fart trade, that he let the left hander go on waivers making it now five player lost for this loser that the team never needed. It was a stupid trade made for good reasons, but showed us how the team felt about and treated its prospects, who only got a chance when there was literally no other option.
ReplyDeleteIt's the one thing that scares me about Eppler as he's been solid otherwise. What was he thinking it made no sense and to give up what he did was insane. It reminded me of Omar's Castillo FA signing and then giving him a 4 year extension for a singles hitting 2nd baseman with 2 bad knees. Luis must have had compromising photos of OM because it made no sense as well.
ReplyDeleteHe’ll be 37 and was awful last year. If he was not already under contract for 2023, he’d be a free agent almost no team would want. Cut a deal, make him disappear.
ReplyDelete