What a difference a week makes – 8 days of bliss to paraphrase Diana Washington.
A little more than a week ago we were ready to write off the season although we were facing the supposedly easy part of the schedule with the Marlins and Padres coming in. Then we lost the first game to the Marlins and it looked like the fish would win the series until JD Martinez decided to do something he never did before and hit a walk off home run.
To be honest, I am somewhat conflicted. On one hand, I want the Mets to play meaningful games. On the other hand, I do not believe they are world series contenders.
Having said that, they
should consider disposing of those players that are not part of the future. That
means JD Martinez, Marte, McNeil and Severino should be made available to the
highest bidders. Alonso should also be a goner if he abides by outrageous
salary demands. Letting these players go would most certainly demoralize the team.
However, it opens up slots for the next generation.
Within the
next month, Senza and Scott should be ready to join the rotation. That means at
least two current starters must be either be traded or moved to a different
role. For example, Megill seems to lose effectiveness
when he hits the fifth inning. He’s an obvious candidate for the pen. Severino
has the most value of the remaining starters and would garner the best return.
Dealing JD
opens up a spot for Baty to return – we need to find out whether he’s a viable
option for 2025. Acuna has shown signs
of life recently and he can take over 2nd base. Marte is having a
good year and will be difficult to replace – I suggest bringing up Ritter as someone
who deserves a chance.
It’s
remarkable how two or three players can make such a difference. Alvarez brings a winning attitude and the
staff responds when he is behind the plate. Diaz has looked really good
recently and his return bolsters the entire pen. Nunez looks dominant and the pen looks strong
once again.
What
surprises me is how well Vientos has played third. I thought his glove would be a liability but that
has not been the case. I was never in favor of signing JD but his recent output
has been nothing short of amazing. Proves the old adage that hitting is contagious. We are averaging about 4 ½ runs per game. Not too shabby when you consider that Alonso,
Nimmo and McNeil are all having off years and Alvarez has yet to hit his
stride. The optimist would say the best is yet to come. Currently we are a game and a half out of a
wild card spot – certainly within reach.
My point is the
Mets are wild-card contenders whether we pare the roster or stay with the
status quo. My guess is that Stearns
will make the necessary moves with the future in mind.
Ray
11 comments:
Ray, I think if you read my article at 11 AM, it will give you a different perspective. The Mets hit far better on the road and at home, and they have 51 road games left and just 40 home games. I think more and more each day like they should go all in and just go for it. maybe they’ll leave to catch the Phillies. Who knows?
For once, we nailed the signings. JD Martinez is vastly outhitting Justin Turner. And, as my brother Steve reminded me yesterday, JD Davis has lost a handful of homers to the city field warning track. Or he’d be doing even better
I agree with Tom. Would not trade off assets that are helping us now for a prospect lottery.
I still think the Mets can make some moves that improve this year's team and not upset the reboot plan for 2026
we will talk on Sunday
Good point about how we hit better on the road. Still need to make room for Senga and Scott so somebody has to go.
Ray, good points back at you on Scott and (hopefully) Senga.
For now the Mets should just enjoy this ride. But we all know that consistency is not the Mets strength. Let these players pad their stats which will make them more valuable in a trade.
I am still on the trade them camp. But with the way they are playing now, wait for the best offers.
BTW, every ML player today was part of a prospect lottery. But the more you have, the better the chances that you end up with a couple of diamonds in the rough.
Kudos to Stearns for getting Torrens for a 100k. Stole him.
Viper
tough schedule coming up
A winning streak by any major league team is not an indication that they have suddenly found the magic formula to play better for the rest of the year. Great teams win a majority of their games and are sometimes saddled with good or bad luck which causes mini-streaks.
The 2024 Mets are currently on a streak where everything is going right. They didn't find a magic carpet and this will be a very brief ride. Just look at the first inning in yesterday's ballgame. A hard ground ball eludes a very competent second baseman (Semian). Another ground ball that would be an inning ending double play eludes another competent infielder (Seager) and runs score. Those same two balls a month ago kill any semblance of a rally and the Mets come out of the first inning with a zero. Instead, runs, life, and enthusiasm follow and our fans have a game to enjoy.
At the trade deadline, some of these players that Ray mentioned are going to have to move. They are players that I enjoyed watching and their departure will set us back a bit. Unfortunately that is the cost of building a sustainable winner.
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