Reese Kaplan -- A Win is a Win Despite Bad Performances

Monday’s surprising, tense and ultimately victorious New York Mets game against the Atlanta Braves caused a great many fans to scratch their heads a bit about Carlos Mendoza’s thinking as they went into a 9th inning with a two-run lead and watching less than top relievers struggle mightily in what should have been a simple hand off to closer Edwin Diaz.  

The Mets did indeed emerge with the win but it was a tremendous amount of teeth gnashing, stomach churning and unnecessary heartburn while Diaz got the rest some apparently felt he needed after having appeared in several recent games after not pitching much at all during the 0-5 start. 

At the same time while Diaz did not play, so too did Harrison Bader sit on the bench.  Now no one is suggesting he was missed (particularly after Monday center fielder Brandon Nimmo had 4 hits and 5 RBIs which included a pair of home runs.  That output was more than a month’s effort from the former Yankee who can field but rarely helps on offense.

Equally stunning in the game was the long ball off the bat of heretofore .000 hitting D.J. Stewart who parked his own long ball into the right field stands.  Personally I was treated to a slew of Mets fans during the game justifying his presence on the roster and in the lineup while simultaneously bashing Syracuse Met Mark Vientos who not only lead the spring Mets in offense but is picking right up at that pace in AAA.  

Ummm...did a hot 3 weeks by Stewart in 2023 erase an entire major league career as at best a AAAA player? 

Let’s take a little closer look at today’s closer, Jorge Lopez.  Is he that rock solid arm the Mets were seeking to fortify their pen?  Well, probably not.  His career ERA is 5.18.  That’s not just the result of a bad 2023.  He’s been in and out of the majors since 2015 with a historical WHIP of 1.48 (nearly 1.5 baserunners per inning pitched) and allows opposing hitters a rather lofty .278.  

The fact he seemed out of his element in the 9th inning versus the perennially contending Braves was not unexpected.  The fact he only gave up one run and the team held on for the win was the surprising part. 

Of all the pitchers who appeared after the very shaky debut of Julio Teheran, his effort was not isolated in causing pitching agita.  Drew Smith didn’t give up any runs but walked a pair of hitters before closing out his inning.  Newcomer Cole Sulser in his inning included 2 hits, a walk and a run.  

Jake Diekman happened to be the pitcher of record when the Mets took the lead despite giving up a run.  The best effort of the day came from the surprisingly promoted Reed Garrett who went 2.1 innings after Teheran giving up 1 hit, 1 walk but fanning 5 and emerging unscathed with zero runs allowed.

The decision to keep J.D. Martinez in the minors for a little more preseason preparation was probably a smart one given his less than stellar output thus far.  He’s too good a hitter to have lost it completely.  The question that arises, however, is who hits the road to make room for the new DH? 

Some felt that D.J. Stewart was a candidate as he’s a mediocre fielder and until today a useless hitter.  Today probably etched his residence in New York a bit more likely to continue.  Infielder Zach Short does not have options and would make less sense to cut loose than would option-holding Stewart.  

After that would be pitchers who have been less than spectacular.  Still, with the struggles the Mets have had starting and finishing games, even the lesser known and seldom used middle relief corps being pared down doesn’t scream best effort either.

Hot on the heels of this roster quandary comes the soon-to-happen need to trim the staff when take your pick of Kodai Senga or Tylor Megill are deemed sufficiently healthy to make their way off the IL.  

(I had originally written, "Julio Teheran may be the most likely culprit if his second start looks anything like his first."  Apparently the Mets agreed and after his one awful start he was DFA'd on Tuesday.)