HERE I GO AGAIN!
After dreadful starts both the Phillies and Red Sox fired well-respected managers, each with a history of winning records. The Mets, on the other hand, chose to retain Mendoza. In the 9 games since Mattingly took over the helm in PA, the Phillies have won eight of nine games. The point being that sometimes a new voice makes a difference.
It’s becoming clear that Mendoza is not the manager of the Mets.
He is simply an administrator who follows dictates from above. He is a puppet with the analytic folks making the decisions he must abide by. If he is replaced the next manager will probably seek autonomy to a great extent which would be contrary to the way this organization is set up.
Take the last two games against the Rockies. The decision to overuse the bullpen on Wednesday lead to a shortage of arms on Thursday. Scott should have been given the option of closing out the fifth. Also, Brazoban should have been on a longer lease to finish the sixth, especially when you are short of arms.
It’s got to be disheartening for a guy like Scott to be pulled one out short of qualifying for a victory. Imagine pitching with the knowledge that one base runner will get you pulled.
Going against a soft tossing lefty, it made little sense to sit Benge, Baty and Melendez in favor of Slater, Ibanez and Bujan. It’s hard for a left-hand hitter to hit lefties when sitting on the bench. How short-sighted it is to pinch hit for a lefty in the sixth inning when you regret the move in later innings.
One thing for certain, Mendoza will not be managing this team next year. IMO, the only reason he still has a job is because they have not settled on a replacement.
If Mendoza can stay out of the way, the team is slated to go on an extended winning streak. Winning 60% of the remaining 120 or so games will give them something in the neighborhood of a 86-win season which hopefully qualifies for a post-season spot. There are probably not more than seven good teams, meaning that there are a lot of very mediocre teams to beat up on.
We have experienced a quarter of the season with horrendous offensive numbers. It’s fair to expect these numbers to improve significantly, especially as the weather warms up. Over the next couple of weeks, the walking wounded will begin returning to the lineup.
The starting rotation of Holmes, Peralta, McLean and Scott will keep us in most games. At some point expect Jack Wenninger to be called up to fill out the fifth spot. The future should not include the likes of Kimball and Manaea.
I may be the only one on this site who believes in Baty and his ability to contribute. On the other hand, Vientos should be made available to the highest bidder. The next three weeks will determine whether we can become a contender or an also ran.
Ray
May 9, 2026
20 comments:
Ray the Optimist! I could sign on to your 86 wins if Lindor was coming back to play today and was fully healthy. The problem is, we have no idea when he’s coming back. They have picked it up a little bit of late. It’s a shame that the grand slam Kimbrell gave up on Thursday could’ve been called foul but was called game-winning fair, or maybe the Mets would’ve walked out with that game in the win column, too. Their hitting still sucks.
I too do hope (my eternal Mets strategy) for some nice run to get them to .500. If that happens, they have a shot for the playoffs.
Let’s see how they fare during the month of May. The offense is putrid.
Remember, this also happened in 2015 too. Terrible offense with AAAA players hitting cleanup.
Mack the ex-optimist
All three of you are sharing the same spoon.
Ryan Clifford suddenly seems to have gotten the memo: just 2 Ks in his last 5 games, including 8 hits, but just one walk. He has to be attacking after doing too much watching. Up to .250.
Morabito first 7 games of May? .391/.500/.435, with 6 steals. Seems ready. A .401 and rising season OBP.
His last 13 games, 14 hits, 3 HBP, and 9 walks. That is getting on base 2X per game! When it warms up, he heats up.
Ray,
I may eat these words, but I think Mark Vientos can and will contribute this year either at first or as the DH. I will admit , however he can really frustrate me with his strikeouts.
An unexpected win last night. If we continue to win 2 of 3, we'll be fine.
I agree with DJ and have been calling for Baty to be traded if they can get a decent return. Otherwise, just hold him but know that he has a slow bat and long swing. Doesn’t help that Soto hasn’t gotten going yet, but he will.
Mendoza looks defeated, and his team plays that way.
Let's hope
More hope
Good luck
Go golf
True dat
Gotta do something to delude myself. It’s so early in the season - lots of bad baseball to watch this Summer
Now you are sharing that same spoon with us!
Baty would be the one I'd be shopping, not Vientos. Vientos can be frustrating, but like last night, can win you some ball games
Jon
There is basically no market for .200 hitters
I have a comment on Baty tomorrow, getting into one off-radar cause of his offensive mediocrity. He has control over whether he wants to add what I focus on to his repertoire. I doubt he will, but he should.
Baty might succeed - in Yankee Stadium.
I have another section of my article on one obscure player the Mets let get away who is totally excelling.
I really dislike many of the on-field decisions that Mendoza makes. I also don't like the lineups, but can't verify that he is actually responsible for them. That said, with the performance of the players to date, no one could steer them to success. The solution has to start with the players.
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