SAVAGE VIEWS – JOIN THE BANDWAGON
To be honest I’m surprised the Mets won back-to-back series against the Brewers and Yankees. I expected then to be swept or win not more than two games. That six-game performance keeps Carlos Mendoza among the favorites to win Manager of the Year. I remain unhappy with Mendy’s performance to date.
It pains me to say that
because I’m tired of the managerial carousel the team has been on. I hate
bringing in a new guy every couple of years because we keep hiring candidates
for the wrong reasons.
To be fair,
no one can blame Mendoza for the growing list of quality arms on the DL. Nor should
he shoulder blame for the shortcomings of the bullpen. Looking back over the
season thus far, there were too many games lost early in the season due to poor
managerial decisions. The tendency to pull starters too early has resulted in
an overtaxed pen. Let’s look at some actions over the past week to support my
thesis.
Wednesday
afternoon against the Brewers, Holmes is pitching well and is pulled after 90
pitches with one out in the sixth inning. The Mets were leading at that point.
The decision to go to the pen early backfired in a big way. This pattern of not allowing starters to go
deep in a game keeps repeating itself.
I have more
faith that Brett Baty will have a solid career than the average Mets fan. He’s
been a streaky hitter and when he’s going well has the ability to carry a team.
Regardless, Mendoza keeps batting him in the lower third of the lineup. Few fans
know that Baty has a far better track record of producing with men in scoring
position that either Soto or Lindor.
Many know that I was at the Polo Grounds when Bobby Thomson hit “the shot heard round the world”. The horrendous decision Charlie Dressen made in bringing Branca to face Thomson ranks among the worst moves in baseball history (Thomson owned Branca).
On Sunday, Mendoza made a similar bad
move. Yankees are up 3-0 with a runner on third and one out with Judge facing the
lefty Waddell and Stanton on deck. The right call was to walk Judge and take
your chances against the underperforming Stanton. The lack of common sense put
the Mets in a 5-0 hole. No wonder Judge likes Mendy so much.
Several weeks ago, I made the point that Mendoza manages too conservatively and lacks the backbone to lead the team into the promised land. His lack of passion has rubbed off on the team and that was evident when they lost 14 of 17 games.
This is an extremely
talented team that continues to underperform. Getting Senga and Manaea back
this weekend will bolster the starting rotation. I’d like to see us trade for a
couple of lock down relievers.
Seems that Mendoza is adored by the media, liked by the players and tolerated by the fans.
However, if it was my choice we’d have a new leader in 2026.
Join my campaign.
Ray
July 8, 2025
8 comments:
Ray,
Who do you hire?
There are things I most definitely like and don't like about various managers. Compare Mendoza to Collins and you realize right away that as he's learning to be the big honcho he's already light years ahead of someone with many seasons of performance on his resume.
Showalter ugh as well so lets live with Mendy as in "if it ain't broken" Also can we please get a lefty or 2 for the pen and start with AC.
I'm sure most of us have issues with most managers, and the one issue I have with Mendy is the same as you constantly pulling pitchers early. Its starts in the biginning of the season and never really lets up as the season progresses thus wearing out the bullpen for the second half of the year and I'm sure also plays into all the injuries. I can understand pulling Holmes early sometimes as I believe that is done to save his arm and limit his innings as he already has surpassed the most innings he has thrown in a season. We definitely need a few capable relievers before the trade deadline and maybe a starting pitcher, a true centerfeider who can hit (NOT SIRI) would be a huge Bonus!
Mets have called up 100mph RHP Alex Carillo
Mendy's future TBD after the season
Ray, I'm not as sold on the Baby Mets as you are. Frankly, I see none of them past UT slots.
You liked the Baby St. Louis Browns to, didn't you
Ray, unfortunately the pitching problem is not going away anytime soon. Manaea will have to work himself back up, Senga as well. Also, Holmes will be on an innings limit the entire season, he is in unchartered territory.
Catering to Senga and a 6 man rotation, means there is one less reliever in the pen. It may help Holmes a little, but it is killing the bullpen.
When all the pitchers are back it may be time to send Holmes to the pen. He will be spent by the time the playoffs roll around.
I know Holmes has been pretty much our most consistent pitcher, but he will be running on fumes by the end of the season. Imagine Holmes as our set-up man. Maybe by next month they will call up one of the young studs to replace him.
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