SAVAGE VIEWS – SITTING PRETTY

  

SAVAGE VIEWS – SITTING PRETTY

Here we are with more than a third of the season in the books and we are sitting pretty. Only the Tigers have a better record and they are in the weaker league. Our bats have not quite lived up to expectations, but there have been recent signs of a resurgence. 

The big three of Lindor, Soto and Alonso have all been better albeit vs the woeful Rockies. Baty has shown to be a solid middle of the lineup producer. There is no reason why the team cannot erupt against the injury ravaged Dodgers. Winning less than five games in the next seven will be a disappointment.   

The ongoing lack of production from two young players remains a concern. Alvarez is someone who was projected to have serious power capable of hitting 30-40 homers in a season. He has not shown any signs of being the offensive player we expected. Hopefully, he figures things out soon. 

Mark Vientos is another player whose offensive and defensive metrics are alarming. Unfortunately, he is out of options and cannot be sent down. Right Now his only role on the team is as DH. Having him play third in place of Baty would be a cardinal sin.

Someone who could benefit from some time in Syracuse is the defensive wizard Acuna. He seems to have left his bat in San Francisco. While his defense and speed are positives, his ability to get on base has taken a step backward. Someone should tell him that “real men” have been known to bunt for a hit.

Rony Mauricio is patiently waiting in the wings and has earned the right to an immediate call-up. He has the ability to solidify the middle of the lineup. His eventual arrival will diminish the playing time for Nimmo and McNeil with Acuna reduced to a late inning defensive role, Jared Young would be the obvious player to return to AAA. 

There is no place on the roster for Siri when he is healthy. At some stage there will be a logjam when Winker is able to return. However, things have a way of sorting themselves out.

My future expectations for the likes of Blackburn and Canning are not high, However, it seems likely that Montas and Manaea will be joining the team within the next few weeks. Not sure what to expect from Montas but Manaea could really shore up the rotation.

The Mets have never had a player win MVP in our 60 plus years. If the ballots were cast today, the leading candidate would be former Mets prospect Peter Crow Armstrong. PCA may be the best outfielder in all of baseball and his offensive numbers are off the board. Ohtani is a distant second.

Ray

June 3, 2025