There once was a horror movie, back in the day, that was very scary and full of blood, guts, ax murder scenes... you, know, all the good stuff.
I've always remembered the line they used when they promoted this movie to those that were about to plunk hard earned dollars down to see it.
The commercial ended with the above statement, repeating "it's only a movie...." over and over as the sound faded and the commercial ended.
So, why am I writing about this, this morning? Come on, You haven't figured that out yet?
The 2-9 record the Mets have played in the last 11 games, which were played against teams with a below .500 record, is making even the most loyal fans turn the game off early and switching to Netflix.
And, in my opinion, it doesn't look like it is going to get better.
What do you want to discuss first? The hitters? The starters? World Peace? Let's go with the bats.
As of end of game yesterday:
C Tomas Nido .125 $1,600,000
SS Francisco Lindor .212 $32,000,000
3B Eduardo Escobar .167 $ 9,500,000
LF Mark Cahna .222 $10,500,000
RF Starlin Marte .228 $19,500,000
IF Luis Guillorme .217 $1,600,000
This is what the Mets are spending this year on many of their top bats, all of which are putting out inferior numbers:
$74,700.000 (check my math)
And pitching:
Well, the Big 5 have:
Scherzer - a hot mess
Verlander - first start last night
Senga - no consistency and inability to find the zone
Quintana - out for the season
Carrasco - been on the IL for most of the season so far.
And has the next team stepped up? Not really. Megill and Lucchese have faired sort of well, but Butto and Peterson haven't.
Past that, the three top pitching prospects (Hamil, Vasil, Tidwell) have showed both strikeout power but also the inability to get batters out... plus none will be ready this year.
And some will tell you "it's still early" and "there is always a stretch like this every year". Do you honestly think beginning to fall behind the 2023 version of the Braves at.this pace can be salvaged?
Me?
Regarding hitting, I would complete the promotions of the ready prospects (Vientos, Mauricio) and insert them into the regular lineup. The four prospects should be your regular starters. doesn't matter that Alvarez is hitting .200. That's .075 ahead of Nido. Put McNeil in left and Ronny on second. And make Vientos your regular RHDH and let him (strong arm) spot Marte in right.
Can't hurt anymore than what is being put out now.
Starters? I wouldn't trade any of our top four prospects, which means I would have to live with the current members on the payroll. Happy? No, but this is the staff Steve and Billy went for and live with it you must.
The future: Draft and Internationally sign starters
If Musk owned the team, there would be lots of players relocating to golf courses.
ReplyDeleteOne more bad Max start, if it happens, and I start the rebuild. You aren’t catching the Braves, so figure out if you can get a wild card.
If not, plot to shed and rebuild.
Problem is, SO MUCH MONEY still owed to JV and Max.
I often compare early high octane Matt Harvey to…younger Max Scherzer, for good reason. Both were premier fireballers.
Then Matt became low octane Matt, and it is possible Max may be following suit.
The problem is no one is going make a decent trade to the Mets
DeleteTom if Musk owned the team he would have put those players on Space X for a long ride or boom maybe not.
ReplyDeleteThis sure looks like another 10 to 15 year run of trying to catch the Bravos and it gets exhausting and our only hope is SC does not suffer fools litely and will do what it takes to change this disaster in the making.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize what he will do if the team doesn't pan out?
DeleteCoincidentally, having mentioned Matt Harvey in my prior comment for the first time in a very long time, I just now saw Matt Harvey announced his retirement from baseball today.
ReplyDeleteSex drugs and rock n roll
DeleteMr. Mack,great article on the Athletic by Law that is right up your alley. Check it out I think you’ll like it.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Thanks
DeleteTB:
ReplyDeleteThe present condition here is not all that unusual really, when you sign and play too many other teams veteran players and starters at the same exact time. Team construction is a balance of veterans and youth.
The Mets have a choice here and now though.
Go with what we are seeing right now, or go with the Batty/Alvarez/Vientos/Mauricio like they did in ST and did well with. Yes, there is a learning curve attached with this. But get it over with early on in the season, does make some sense too.
Yesterday, I posted a "boo-boo commentary". My bad.
For starting pitchers, I left out Joey Lucchesi in the four slot of the rotation I was thinking of.
Should have been: 1. Scherzer 2. Verlander 3. Senga 4. Lucchesi 5. Megill, and if a sixth or sub is needed then Drew Smith. I'd stay with these six and hang tough with them until all are at full strength again. It will happen.
I would love to see Syracuse's LSP Nathan Lavender get some extra grooming and consideration with the best retired lefty starter the Mets could find. Maybe someone like an Al Leiter, Bobby Ojeda, Jerry Koosman, or Sid Fernandez would do.
The right tutor could bring him along more quickly. Teach him how to always be thinking on the mound. Nathan has the talent and the right attitude already.
Unfortunately, I think David Peterson may be done from here. I think he may have lost yesterday with Syracuse. He had some talent, but lacked consistency.
The Mets need to groom one more lefty starter now for the second half. Just in case type of deal. Or make a trade using one of their duplicate type veteran outfielders. Especially if Jeff McNeil goes to left field, so that Ronnie Mauricio can start on second base as he should be.
Best to "Dark Knight" and his Mystic Apizza. It was a short but very fun ride he provided Mets fans.
The Mets overworked Harvey and paid the price. They and aharrvey should have listened to Boras.
ReplyDelete