SAVAGE VIEWS – June is Busting Out Mendoza

I remain convinced that Mendoza will be the long-term solution as manager for the Mets; however, in the meantime we will suffer the consequences until he completes his on-the-job training.  Sometimes he forgets that the reason we play the game is to put out the best possible product.  

Baseball is not a democracy and not every player is guaranteed playing time.  While it was nice to beat the Phillies on Sunday, it felt as though we put an inferior team on the field.

Mendoza had a choice among three pitchers to start – Megill, Peterson or Quintana.  He chose Quintana, the least effective of the three.  Coming into the game, Vientos, Marte, Bader and Iglesias were all wielding hot bats.  All sat in favor of the underperforming Taylor, Stewart, McNeil and Baty.  

For reasons I cannot understand, JD Martinez continues to man the number four spot in the lineup despite not being very productive.  His overall numbers are about on par with Baty, and Baty is back in Syracuse.  

JD’s lack of clutch hitting is having a detrimental impact on the team.  While it was good to see him get a hit Sunday to drive in two, overall, he has shown an alarming inability to deliver when men are in scoring position.  

Eventually he will be moved, the sooner the better, to open up a spot for Baty to play every day.  That is, if Mendoza is willing to play Vientos and Baty in the same lineup.

At this stage of the season, it’s clear that we are, at best, a marginal playoff team.  Without question, several players will be moved prior to the trade deadline.  On the pitching side, at least two of Manaea, Severino and Quintana are likely to go leaving openings for Senga and Scott to take their places.  The bullpen is a mess, and it appears unlikely that the return of Diaz will make a significant difference.  He has lost the “it” factor. 

While the Mets are likely to part ways with players such as Marte, Stewart and perhaps Alonso and McNeil, the returns are probably going to be underwhelming.  So far, none of the prospects acquired at last year’s trade deadline have excelled.  In my opinion, we should be targeting power arms to reinforce the pen.  

We have lots of “prospects” in the system to keep us in contention for the foreseeable future.  What is lacking is a difference maker.  There is no future Strawberry, Soto or Betts coming up the ranks.  I would not be terribly upset if we qualify for a top six pick in next year's draft in the hope of landing a top talent.

We should have learned our lessons in handing out long-term contracts.  None of Diaz, Nimmo, Marte, and McNeil have performed well and are all locked in for the next few years.  The idea of giving Alonso a deal of more than four years is not a sound business practice.  The only way I sign Alonso to a contract is if he can be paired with someone like Soto.  However, I’d be surprised if Soto leaves the Yankees. 

We’ll keep from being disappointed if we keep our expectations low.

Ray

June 11, 2014