Mark Vientos, ignore the pressure. Just be Mark….and succeed.
Heck of a season for the Mets.
Started out 14-7. Wild Card or title seemed a no-brainer.
Through Tuesday, they collapsed to 34-55 after that, though. Ugly.
I don’t want this to be a comprehensive anatomical recap of the collapse.
But as the Mets were seeking to turn it around, get into a reasonable Wild Card contention position in June and July, retreat from the brink, what caused them to instead fail?
1. Size doesn’t matter. Why are they playing Vogelbach any more? One dimensional, and that dimension has failed all season. He won’t be here next year. He may not be anywhere next year. Why not give all his at bats to someone who might be?
2. Nimmo goes uncomfortably numb. The always reliable Nimmo had a terrific April, followed by a decent May and June (but below his normal high standards), then 17 for 102 with an uncharacteristically very low OBP since July 1. Let’s go, Brandon.
3. Baty succumbed to NYM pressure. A .333 hittter in 10 April games. .202 since. I bet he’d be hitting a lot better in Kansas City. NY pressure, magnified by team failure, Mark Vientos hasn’t yet shed the pressure, either. He should. There is more pressure in Queens than a lot of places.
4. The pitch. When Pete got hit by it on June 7, by an Atlanta Pitcher, mind you, with no (zero, nada, zilch) Buck retaliation, Pete dropped from a thunder-filled .231 down to .203 with just 3 meek HRs in 27 games over several weeks plus an IL stint, before reviving of late. Mission accomplished for the Braves, who simply changed the strategic course of the entire franchise with that one pitch.
5. Jeff McNeil was hitting .292 in late May, then improbably dropped all the way to .249 over the following 9 weeks. When his batting title acumen was sorely needed, it was MIA.
6. Marte has tried to play at less than 100%. He has produced far less than 100%.
Of course, there are other reasons. Trading Robertson, Scherzer, Verlander, and Pham recently removed 4 stabilizer bars from this struggling squad, so naturally, the struggling has gotten worse.
What did I miss? Isn’t this enough failure to read about at one sitting?
ROOKIE AND DSL BALL ON THURSDAY:
28 runs on 21 hits and a whole slew of walks in the 3 team’s games, but only one win in those 3 games, as they surrendered 33 runs. Youza.
Stateside, red hot Binghamton, Tyler Stuart pitching, Rudick returning, 14-0 win, naturally…FOR THE YANKEES? Yes sir. Damn Yankees.
The 3 trade gets in AA, Acuna, Gilbert and Jackson, are 14 for 80 as Mets so far. Hmmm…
Ryan Clifford in Brooklyn post-trade, is 4 for 26, with 16 Ks. Hmmm…
Syracuse WON 10-1, as Baty homered.
Brooklyn lost 4-1, as Clifford fanned all 4 times up.
Mets? Unbeatable on Thursday…no game.
R.I.P.
On a personal note…
My cousin Jack Riordan is being laid to rest today. 66. Very good guy.
Very sudden. R.I.P.
Prayers for your family Tom
ReplyDelete66
SMH
If I had the money (sic) and knowing what I had coming up the chain I would:
ReplyDelete1. Sign SP Yamamoto
2. Sign another productive starter
3. Sign 3B Matt Chapman
4. Sign CF Cody Bellenger
5. TRADE McNeil for prospects
6. Sign Alonso
7. DFA Marte
8. Move Nimmo to corner outfield
9. Start Mauricio on second
10. Sign a 1 yr deal with someone to play the other corner outfield position
Why DFA Marte just because he played all year in much pain? We know what he can do when healthy, which he should be by ST.
ReplyDeleteThen trade him for a prospect
DeleteI wouldn't need him for my 2024 outfield and there are two more from the Verlander trade that will graduate in 2025
If he's not needed, why even think of Bellinger, who likely will get a 3- or 4- year deal?
DeleteBecause he is an ESTABLISHED STAR IN THE PRIME OF HIS CAREER
Deletemuch more talented than any current Mets outfielder
Locks up center like Lindor locked up short
Mack we're on the same page and thought's are with you Tom. The only reason their playing 4 A guys and Vogy's still on the team is to tank for draft position and yes Nimmo McNeil and Marte have been dreadful which just adds to the exciting winter ahead for this team. Question is now much more money will SC eat?
ReplyDeleteGary
DeleteI love prospects but fans are learning one out of 3 or 4 really make it
Alvarez may be the only one of the current four
Belanger and Chapman sew up 3B and CF for 4 yrs.
Established stars
Sewing up those positions with aging vets is exactly what we DON'T need. Kids like Williams, Acuna and others are on the rise. And Baty and Vientos need a chance next year, as does Mauricio.
DeleteThe days of long-term deals for guys in their 30s are OVER.
Mack,
ReplyDeleteCan Baty play left field or is he an infielder only? If he can be a productive outfielder then you have that position filled for 2024.
It is my understanding that he is third or DH
DeleteThanks, gents. Tom
ReplyDeleteSigh,the what have you done for me lately fans are back on the the extend Pete track. This after anting to trade him during his slump/injury.DFA Marte,trade!cNeil for prospects. Is their. New battle cry. Jettison Baty and Vientos and replace them with overpaid soon to be declining veteran players. Oh wait,McNeilhit a homer,KEEP HIM.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets have done little for us lately…but lose.
ReplyDeleteTom:
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your cousin. There was a Jack Riordan artist in NYC I recall. It's all about cardio. Walking and jogging. Concrete or treadmill. This is the longevity, I have found.