Reese Kaplan -- It's Not All Good and It's Not All Bad

So with the season approaching its halfway point, obviously things have not gone the way in which Steve Cohen, Billy Eppler and Buck Showalter intended.  The health issues are not something directly within their control, but all teams experience injuries and somehow survive.  The Mets last season did an epic collapse from late August through the end of September to lose out on the division title and live through baseball infamy having won 101 games and not finishing on top. This year they rushed the humiliation to happen prior to the All Star break.

Let's start with the glass half full approach.  There are certainly some signs that the club is on the right track albeit moving more slowly than many would like to see.  What is going right for this ballclub right now?

Well, for starters, Francisco Alvarez has shown that not only is his bat ready to contend at the major league level, but his much derided defense behind the plate has not yet shown itself to his teammates nor the competition.  His pitch framing has been among the top five in the league and his throwing arm is a cannon though at times he could use an assist from better protection on the mound to hold runners close.

Pitcher Kodai Senga has not been 100% unhittable but there have been starts in which he appears very close to living up to his pre-signing publicity.  His ability to strike out hitters, his sometimes stellar control and his adjustment to the major league every-fifth-day starting pitcher interval of rest is appearing to show up in his throwing metrics.  Right now he's heading into the end of his third month in the majors with an ERA  of just 3.34 while getting more comfortable with the rigors of playing at the highest level.

Brandon Nimmo was resigned to a long and lucrative contract extension based primarily upon his ability to hit for average, draw a large number of walks and show enough home run power to keep pitchers honest.  When he arrived in the majors he was known at best as a suspect corner outfielder whose glove was far behind the rest of his development.  Slowly but surely he's turned himself into a formidable center fielder whose defensive gems are reguarly shown on the late night highlight videos.

Currently hobbled first baseman Pete Alonso was always known for his run production and 2023 is no exception.  Before taking a bad hit-by-pitch experience he was leading the league in not just home runs but also in RBIs.  While his batting average was a bit subpar there was no denying the fact he was on a pace to achieve the rarest of power hitting feats -- crossing the 60 home run threshold.  

Of course, no experience of folks singing the praises of what has gone right in this season, there is a perhaps much larger (and louder) collection of naysayers that will scream and shout about all that has gone wrong.

Let's start with the injuries.  Pitcher Jose Quintana has yet to throw a pitch for his new ballclub.  Catcher Omar Narvaez didn't get off the IL until less than 2 weeks ago.  Starting ace Justin Verlander began the season on the shelf.  Closer Edwin Diaz is missing the entire season.  Then there were a myriad of other shorter term but equally visible injiuries to other players as well.

Then there is the issue of rule violations for the pitching staff.  First came Max Scherzer's 10-game suspension for an alleged sticky substance on his hand which the umpires ruled gave him an unfair advantage against hitters.  Then less than a week ago Drew Smith was cited for the the very same thing.  

Slumping has become a way of life for both hitters and pitchers.  The most guilty include Francisco Lindor, Brett Baty (who took over for fellow slumper Eduardo Escobar), Tomas Nido, Daniel Vogelbach, Luis Guillorme and long stretches of Mark Canha alongside Tommy Pham.  Starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have not looked to be worth a combined over $80 million.  Carlos Carrasco has been inconsistent.  David Peterson pitched himself out of town and Tylor Megill is already looking as if he will be joining him.  The bullpen has been fed a steady stream of would be support help who look as if baseball is not their primary talent in life.

Then there is the level of lineup manipulation and motivation created by stellar manager Buck Showalter.  He's stuck way too long with folks who are not helping and benched others who are unable to get the opportunity to show what they can do.  More and more frequent calls are coming to replace him as he is over the hill and out of touch with the modern game despite his four Manager of the Year trophies.  

No matter what side you're on, the fact is all of these statements are true.  There is good, there is bad and the ballclub is struggling to achieve and remain above the .500 mark when it comes to wins and losses.  As much as people want to see a wholesale makeover of the club in July during the midyear trading deadline, there is no magic wand that will instantly transform the meager into the mighty.  

People either have to accept that the 2023 season is one for long term growth and experience, or hold out hope that a surge to the top reminiscent of the Mets surpassing the Cubs on the way to the 1969 pennant.  In that year only 100 victories were needed to take the team to the top.  Last year's 101 would have been icing on the cake.