Boy, was I off base. I predicted that the Mets would win 96 games this year. Instead, we are on pace to lose 96.
I felt confident that we had assembled a team with a powerhouse offense and a solid starting pitching staff. We are now on a nine-game losing streak with little hope for improvement. There’s a lot of blame to go around,
CARLOS MENDOZA
Despite the worst record in MLB since last June, there are many who still consider him to be an above average manager. One of his attributes is a calm demeanor. He’s been called a good guy. Leo Durocher had an opinion about good guys. The media loves him.
However, his track record leaves much to be desired.
·
In
Friday’s game, he sat Vientos and installed Melendez as DH. Trouble is, Vientos
has had success against Cabrera in the past.
·
In
a game that you’re losing by 8 runs, why have Pham pinch hit for Benge in the
ninth. Simply defies logic.
·
His
game management skills are non-existent.
·
Too
often, he has pulled a starting pitcher having a strong game after allowing a
baserunner in the sixth or seventh inning. Refuses to let starters to get out
of a mini jam.
·
The
team appears lethargic. He does not seem to inspire his team to greater heights.
In my opinion, he should be replaced before the next homestand.
DAVID STEARNS
We were excited when the Mets hired Stearns. His track record with the Brewers made us feel we had the right man for this franchise. However, some dubious transactions have soiled his reputation.
·
Not
offering Pete Alonso a long-term deal was the right move. Thus far, Pete is not
setting the world on fire with the Orioles
·
Brandon
Nimmo needed to be moved to create an opening for Carson Benge. Have no doubt
in my mind that Benge will wind up having a solid rookie season
·
Diaz
rejected the Mets’ offer to sign with LA. Smart move Edwin.
·
Jeff
McNeil was showing signs of aging when he was dealt. He needed to be replaced.
·
Two
players brought on board have a history of spending significant time on the IR.
Polanco is going to be out for awhile, while Roberts needs to rest every fifth
day.
·
Semien
has continued his downward trend over the past three seasons. Great fielder
with no bat.
·
The
bullpen was always going to be a weakness. When your eight-man group contains two
long relievers and guys like Garcia and Lovelady to start the season, you know you
have issues.
·
AJ
Ewing could be the sparkplug to turn around the season. Inexplicably, he is
tearing up AA not AAA. Makes you wonder.
Stearns has
not done Mendoza any favors with the construction of this team.
THE PLAYERS
·
Francisco
Lindor has been a shadow of himself. Not only is he not hitting, but his
fielding has been poor. Certainly not the leader we need.
·
Brett
Baty has regressed to the point that perhaps he should be moved to another
team. He was supposed to be a guy who could spray the ball around. No longer
the case.
·
Francisco
Alvarez looks confused. He has not taken the next steps forward.
·
Senga
gave another embarrassing performance on Friday. I thought this was going to be
a good year from him.
·
Bo
Bichette probably wishes he signed with the Phillies. Lots of Mets fans feel
that way too. He has not been a major contributor to this point.
OUTLOOK
Not good. Stearns just gave Mendoza a vote of confidence. Seems we are stuck with this team and management for the time being.
Ray
April 18,
2026
Since last year’s ASB, Semien is hitting a robust .205. More BUST than robust.
ReplyDeleteTrue on Pham pinch hitting for Benge in 9th. Why not pinch hit for ANYONE else?
This team needed a ripping Soto and Lindor. They have gotten neither. The curtain has been pulled back.
Mauricio had 3 hits, including a HR, for Syracuse yesterday. Seeing that, I can completely understand why Pham was brought in for a spark.
Ewing should be in AAA today. NO EXCUSES.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on, as usual!!!!
Royhobbs7, the Mets have a mere 14 HRs in 20 games, while the Dodgers have hit 35 in 19 games.
ReplyDeleteManaea 72 pitches, 2 strikeouts.
ReplyDeleteTotal disaster. My 9am (ET) shares my take.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between a spreadsheet & the real world. Down in by April - yes, it’s still early but we have all seen this sad show before…
They are literally walking zombies, no energy, no pulse, no heart. Nothing.
Ewing must get to AAA ASAP so he can get called up in May.
Bring up Mauricio & bench Lindor for several games.
The players are embarrassing themselves so why shouldn’t the team embarrasses them to make a point. Where is their pride?!
Lindor is hitting a little better, but no walks in his recent games. Teams do not fear him now.
DeleteAs my last post made clear, I agree with all of these points. Just a few additional points I will make in my next post. But I'll make a quick one here. I argued when discussing evidence based projections of performance of players that the best predictor of performance is prior performance at the closest approximation of the level at which you seek to project performance. The same holds true for coaches and managers! Nothing can project how one will do at the major league level than how one has done at the major league level. Add to that the adage owed to Bill Parcels that as a coacn/manager you are what your record says you are, and there is nothing more to add about Mendoza at this point. This is not a reflection on either the person or how he might perform next time he has a chance to manage in the majors, but what is the evidence that he can manage successfully now? There is none. Really, none. Even the miracle second half of 2024 was the result of leadership in the clubhouse not the manager's office. C'mon, at this point, as Stearns should know, and Cohen most definitely does, it is clearly a case of throwing 'good money after bad.'
ReplyDeleteRay, Vientos is 1 for his last 25. He needs to go.
ReplyDeleteI agree in principle that Mendoza has not done a great job. But replace him with any other manager in baseball today, and this team does no better.
ReplyDeleteLast year we had one of the top Farm systems in baseball so lets use them as it really can't get much worse can it? The biggest problem is with Lindor but when does a club ever do what's right when their "best" player s**ts the bed this bad? When does SC pull the plug on both CM and DS? I still can't believe it's this ugly this early.
ReplyDeleteDespite everything, I predict a good run over the next two weeks. If not, Mendoza is gone by May first.
ReplyDeletePolanco on IL. Stearns, you gotta stop buying these high-performance older vehicles. They have a pathetic breakdown record. 10 days ago, I was thinking about catching a game that city field on the upcoming home stand. You can forget that now.
ReplyDelete