What a relief it is to see the Mets on an actual winning streak. They swept the Marlins, gaining some level of revenge for being swept in Miami. They avoided a sweep by the Reds by winning the final game of the series. That’s four in a row to close out a homestand that has Queens breathing a sigh of relief.
From here, it is back out to the west coast for series against the Mariners (31-29 AL West) and the Padres (32-26 NL West). It has been very difficult for the team to keep changing time zones, having been alternating between west and east three times already. With two good teams facing them and little rest to be had, this could be a difficult challenge that derails the winning momentum that has recently been gained.
But losing a series or two may not be the worst thing that could happen to this team. I think (and many of you will disagree) that the worst thing that could happen to this team is a winning streak. Why? Well by this point in the season with the Mets 7 games underwater and a team OPS of .654, it is a logical next step to start re-working the team for success in the future, not compromising strategy to eke out more wins and keep the fans happy. That process would right the ship and eliminate some of the recent very costly mistakes like Polanco, Bichette, and Peralta. It would also force a final reckoning for those players that have had too many chances like Baty, Vientos, and Alvarez.
What could go wrong is a winning streak that pulls the team back up to .500 and suddenly renews hope that this is not a lost season. Instead of correcting the huge miscalculations in the rebuild of 2026, it would drive some desperate deadline behavior that could cost more prospects and more money for short-term rentals that might get the team to challenge for the last wild card spot. Then we would lose not only the first playoff series but would also lose the rentals and the prospects we paid for them and be back to square one for spring training 2027.
The best thing that could happen, though very painful for the fans, would be for the team to play mediocre baseball for the months of June and July, head into the trade deadline 8-10 games below .500, and do the right things for the future. Let the kids play and prove themselves, get what you can get for the baby Mets that never grew up to be man Mets, and trade away the mid-30’s players that were acquired in the winter for whatever prospect collateral we can obtain.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the collapse of the development system from the low minors to MLB will cause a great deal of introspection, hopefully concluding with lessons learned and actionable results that will salvage the talent we still have in the system.
Yes, this is another year lost in the quest for the World Championship. Yes, this will mean less fans in seats in 2026 and less merchandising. Yes, this will mean a financial loss for the ownership this year. But if it becomes the means for a real, no-compromises strategic recalibration, it will be the beginning of a long, bright future.
1 comment:
This is a perfect window for Benge and Ewing. I think Benge was going to be sent down at the end of spring training, but Tauchman went down with a long injury. He struggled mightily, and now he has come thru it handsomely.
Ewing is struggling against vastly better pitching than he has ever faced. But that time period of struggle will also come to an end very soon. The Robert injury (of 2026) was a blessing in disguise, allowing Ewing to be called up. He is too good to not adjust.
We are also getting to see what Vientos and Baty are really made of. They now appears that Alvarez will be back in a week or thereabouts. And perhaps with Lindor, in three weeks. I’m just guessing on the last one. The big F is always injuries, but the offense has that chance to be strong within about three weeks.
Polanco? The Mets are stuck with him. No one wants a highly paid, structurally injured individual. All the Mexican hope is that he comes back and can hit in a part-time role.
Lastly, the pitching is evolving into something that I think we will be happy with.
But I have increased optimism here required a winning streak. They now have one. Are they going to fall back on their face or will they keep plowing forward? Soto is on fire so that will help the boat stay afloat.
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