5/13/25

SAVAGE VIEWS – QUARTERLY REVIEW 2025

  

SAVAGE VIEWS  – QUARTERLY REVIEW 2025

By all accounts, our team has just concluded a very successful first quarter. If we continue at the current pace, we will exceed 100 wins for the year. However, I do have some concerns.

STARTING PITCHING

No one could have predicted that the Mets would lead the majors in staff ERA through the initial 40+ games of the season. There are some cracks in the armor. Recently MeGill and Peterson have struggled to pitch past the fifth inning. Megill has, in the past, had trouble completing six innings. Peterson, while solid, has a tendency of allowing too many baserunners limiting his ability to go deep in games. 

Expect Holmes to improve as the season progresses, while it’s hard to predict how well Canning will do given his past record. Senga continues to look like a genuine ace. The eventual return of Manaea may relegate Peterson to the pen. Montas, when healthy, will allow the team to move to a six man rotation. It’s hard to imagine a role for Blackwell going forward,

THE BULLPEN

It’s a yearly issue. Carlos Mendoza continues to remove starters too early, creating an overworked pen. Stanek, Butto and lately even Kranick have been less effective. Nunez has walked 6 of the 8 batters since his recall. Diaz was used twice over the weekend in non-save situations which probably means he is unavailable Monday night.

BATY IS BACK

Baty has hit four home runs in his last thirteen at bats with the Mets. He certainly looks the part of a major league hitter. Of course, Mendoza, in his infinite wisdom sat him down against a lefty yesterday. And Monday night, he’s batting eight in the order. The relatively ineffective Vientos has seized the number five spot. It was nice to see Mark motivated to the point where he actually drove in a runner in scoring position.

MIDDLE OF THE ORDER

The middle of the order consisted of Nimmo, Vientos and Acuna is recent games. Maybe it’s time to shake things up. Nimmo would probably be more effective as the number two hitter following Lindor. His record as someone with a high OBP should complement the top of the order. Baty and Alvarez should occupy the sixth and seventh slots with McNeil and Acuna bringing up the rear. What to do when Rony Mauricio is ready to rejoin the team. I would guess that Acuna would become a bench player.

A TOUGH COUPLE OF WEEKS

It’s going to be a challenge facing the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers over the next couple of weeks. I’d be satisfied if we can win at least 5 of those nine games.

Ray

May 13, 2025

22 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

I am more and more impressed with Acuna and his speed. He stole a key run last night.

Second quarter of 2025? Sizzling Soto shows up. Vientos having a Renaissance.

Rds 900. said...

Need to make room for Mauricio.

Tom Brennan said...

Mauricio has gone 3 singles for 21 at bats with 1 walk and 6 Ks. He is error prone in his career. There better be no rush to promote him. I want him sizzling hot first, and showing he is not Chuck Hiller in the field. Acuna is a .287 MLB hitter career-to-date, with a strong glove and super speed. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Mack Ade said...

I wouldn't change the top of the lineup until it stops producing but I would love to see a 1-2 punch of

Acuña followed by Nimmo for a three game span to see how that works

Mack Ade said...

Ray

MANAEA will return to the rotation

Who goes to AAA, the pen, or to another team in a deal?

Jon G said...

Megill would be my guess. Pen or AAA

Mack Ade said...

Leave Mauricio in AAA this season and make him available to other teams come the all-star break

Mack Ade said...

I think Megill has one more option left but I could be wrong here

Mack Ade said...

By the way

Going to NYC on Friday morning to say goodbye to my older brother.

Haven't been in NYC since 1998

My Thursday and Sunday posts will run. MONDAY won't. I will then pick them back up next Thursday

Mack Ade said...

Going with daughter who is greasing up my ♿️

Tom Brennan said...

Have a great trip to NYC, Mack, although it sounds like the circumstances aren't great.

Mack Ade said...

Yeah. He’s 80. Early dementia Accident Feĺl over fence broke leg, hip, concussion. One leg now two inches shorter due to surgery. Can't even walk with walker..Calls me Michael. Michael was his best friend that died a few years ago

Sad

Was Managing Director for Morgan, Lewis, the 3rd largest law firm.in USA

Now sleeps 18 hours a day

JoeP said...

There is no way that Acuna should be taken out of the lineup in favor of Mauricio.

Mauricio will have to earn his way into the lineup. He should not even sniff the majors until he dominates AAA. Doesn't everyone remember how he was free falling before he got hurt. He was hitting in the 290's before ending up at .249. The league was catching up to him. BTW, he is also a worse fielder than Vientos.

Let him earn it. There is no place for him on the roster right now.

I've said this several times now. WHEN ACUNA PLAYS, THE METS WIN. When he doesn't, the Mets lose. He needs to play at least 80% of the time, Vientos, Baty and McNeil need playing time too.

Mack Ade said...

There is an electricity in this lineup when he plays.

Haven't seen that since the Reyes days

Rds 900. said...

Acuna is nothing more than a very good utility player. Need to find a place for Mauricio when he's ready.

JoeP said...

Wow, how can you possible say that. Other than Lindor he is the best fielder on the team. The fastest, best base runner on the team.

I'm not totally disagreeing with you, he may eventually turn into a super utility type of player, but please tell me what has Mauricio accomplished. He had 1 good month, followed by an equally bad month.

Who is he going to replace? He is a well below average fielder. He is fast, but not necessarily a good base runner.
I agree he has potential, but he needs to earn his spot on the team.

Mack Ade said...

Ray

Mauricio is a HORRIBLE defensive infielder, especially at third

Jon G said...

Wen need Acuna's speed in the lineup every game. Speed kills

Rds 900. said...

If speed kills, you must be looking forward to Seri's return. Mauricio has one big advantage over Acuna. He can actually hit the ball.

Anonymous said...

Mauricio. What’s the big deal? If he lights it up in SYRHACUSE we’ll get interested

Tom Brennan said...

Ray, so far in his MLB career, Acuna has hit .287. I like that.

Rds 900. said...

Do you like his 6 rbis thus far.