SAVAGE VIEWS – THE WEEK THAT WAS

   

SAVAGE VIEWS – THE WEEK THAT WAS

In my post of last week, I said that I would be more than happy if we won five of seven games from the Dodgers and Rockies. The reality is that we should have swept the Dodgers for a perfect road trip.  

With forty percent of the season behind us, it’s clear that the Mets are the best team in baseball. That is subject to change if the Dodgers ever become healthy again. Detroit may have a better record but they play in the weaker American League.

AND THE WINNER IS

For the first time in recent memory, the Mets have leading candidates for post-season awards.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Based on his record, Carlos Mendoza has to be the favorite to win this award. Accepting the award for Carlos is Jeremy Hefner. No one expected the Mets pitching staff to be better than mediocre, especially with Montas and Manaea beginning the season on the shelf. 

The magic spun by Hefner and his staff has the team leading MLB in ERA. The current group of Mets would not be playoff contenders, otherwise.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Right now, it looks like a two-man race between Pete Alonso and Peter Crow-Armstrong with Ohtani a distant third. A lot can change over the next hundred games, but Pete has the edge over Peter assuming both continue their present paces. It would be awesome if Pete can claim the first MVP in Mets history over POA, a former Mets prospect.

CY YOUNG WINNER

Kodai Senga is having a season worthy of Cy Young consideration. His main competitors appear to be Paul Skenes who is having a really good season for the hapless Pirates and Robbie Ray of the Giants. I won’t be terribly surprised if Skenes walks away with the award.

CATCHER OF THE FUTURE

A lot of Mets fans seen to have lost confidence in Francisco Alvarez as the Mets catcher of the future. Alvarez started the year slowly due to recovery from breaking the hamate bone in his hand. Recently he has made progress and his batting average has improved. Cal Raleigh is currently the best catcher in baseball. 

Before he turned 24, Raleigh had hit the grand total of two home runs – Alvarez has 38 and counting. Pete Alonso was still in the minors as a 23-year-old. If Alvarez can stay relatively healthy, he is capable of averaging better than 30 homers a year.  

While the Mets have a number of interesting catching prosects, all are several years away from being major league ready.

RONNY, RONNY, RONNY

My gosh, Mauricio is one exciting player to watch. I thought Baty was our third baseman of the future. Looks as though I was wrong. It’s going to be fun to watch Mauricio develop into a top notch player. Baty, our second baseman of the future? Who knew.

WHAT WORRIES ME

I’m concerned about a staff that includes the likes of Montas, Blackburn and Stanek. Hopefully, by the time we hit August none remains on the team. Perhaps by that time, Brooks Raley has returned and we trade for another arm in the pen.

Ray

June 10, 2025