SAVAGE VIEWS – I Wonder as I Wander – Part II

Back on December 10, 2020 I posted that the Mets should pass on trading for Lindor.  At that time, I was pleased to have Gimenez, Rosario and Mauricio in our pantry. As it turns out, the reasons for acquiring Lindor made a lot of sense. It signaled an end to the Wilpon era and now open for business regardless of the cost.  Unfortunately, the Lindor cost was very high and we are committed to him for the next seven plus years. While I love his attitude and personality, his offensive output appears to be diminishing.

Another recent signing that, in my view, made little sense was bringing JD Martinez on board.  While he is a professional hitter with an elite resume, he simply is not a good fit. His signing sent the wrong message to younger players such as Vientos and Baty. In fact, as long as JD is on the team one of Baty or Vientos needs to be either farmed out or traded in order to add a utility infielder to the roster.  As I write this on Sunday afternoon, Vientos is sitting while JD demonstrates his continued inability to make contact. Since he arrived on the scene the Mets are a brutal 9-18..  I wonder if lineup decisions are being dictated to Mendoza? Otherwise, how can anyone justify sitting a very hot Vientos in favor of JD.

I’m having trouble reconciling demoting Butto while retaining Houser in the rotation.  Butto was fairly successful as SP5 while Houser’s struggles are well documented.  On the other hand, Howser looks as though he could improve the pen.

Our bullpen’s success is dependent on having a dominant Diaz.  Clearly, that has not happened.  We were fortunate to have Garrett and Reid-Foley exceed expectations early in the season.  Now they have tumbled back to earth.  Without a strong pen our season is doomed. Wonder how teams such as the Yankees and Guardians continually find diamonds in the rough while we struggle every year. Someone needs to explain why Quintana is pulled after 70 pitches making it necessary to go to an overtaxed pen.

At the rate we are going, got to wonder if Mendoza makes it to the all-star break.  I want him to succeed, but some of his decisions have me scratching my head. In a recent game against the Giants, the Mets had runners on 2^nd and third with one out in the 9^th and Nimmo coming up with a chance to bring in the tying run.  Melvin elects to give Nimmo a free pass and take his changes with JD who fails to make contact and strikes out on three pitches.  If the situation was reversed, I doubt if Mendoza makes the same move. With any new manager there is a learning curve. Hope Mendoza gets up to speed soon.

On another topic, I wonder why Nick Morabito is not rated higher. He has shown the ability to get on base at a very high rate and some pundits have him as a future fourth or fifth outfielder. His scouting report is a high on-base guy with great speed and good defensive chops.  I like to think of him as a Richie Ashburn type who could be a terrific table setter and our team needs one.  Nimmo, for all his talent, is reluctant to steal a base. Ashburn, by the way, was elected to the HOF.

At least I’ve got the Rangers to look forward to. LGR.

Ray

May 28, 2024