SAVAGE VIEWS – LOOKING AHEAD

   

SAVAGE VIEWS  – LOOKING AHEAD

Losing thirteen of sixteen games certainly gets a lot of attention. 

Not only that, but there’s a good chance of losing at least four of the next six games. Certainly, there’s a lot of blame to go around. It’s hard to win when four of your starting pitchers go on the disabled list. The downfall coincided with the Senga injury. In the ensuing two weeks some things have become clear.

Paul Blackburn ranks as one of the worst pitchers I have seen in my 64 years of following the Mets. There are no positives, and he should never throw another inning for this team. He is scheduled to pitch this weekend against the Yankees. If this travesty occurs, fans in the right field stands should be given protective gear against the incoming missiles. It will be a war zone. Instead, perhaps Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat should be allowed a turn in the rotation.

Frankie Montas is another questionable signing. He deserves at least one more chance before a decision regarding his future is made.

Getting humiliated by the Pirates is one thing, but only scoring four runs in three games against one of baseball’s worst teams is embarrassing. Pre-season, we thought this Mets team would set a franchise record in offensive output. The team has struggled the entire season to date. Only Alonso has put up decent numbers, but he is streaky. Soto has heated up recently while Nimmo has shown himself to be a solid number two hitter. However, Mendoza likes to slot Nimmo in the five hole when a lefty is pitching,

I’ve made it clear that I’m not a fan of Carlos Mendoza’s style of management. The Mets, as a team, reflect the laid-back style of Mendoza and seem to lack passion. 

I’ve criticized Mendoza as lacking a backbone. If the team continues on the current path, he will be another manager who fails to make year three in a Mets uniform. 

My concerns:

1.    Brett Baty has been one of the hotter bats in the lineup recently. No matter, he has become a bottom of the order hitter. On the other hand, Mark Vientos has struggled the entire season but has never batted lower than sixth in the lineup.

2.    Neither Marte nor Taylor have hit well against lefty pitchers but McNeil and Maurcio find themselves on the bench despite having better numbers.

3.    In the year and a half that Mendoza has managed, a constant source of criticism has been his use of the bullpen. Of course, right now his options are limited with Dickie Lovelace and other castoffs, demonstrating why other teams let them go.

In my view, it will be at least two to three weeks before things get turned around and by then it may be too late. As of now, they are not playoff bound. Any moves made by the trade deadline should be with 2026 in mind. The bullpen desperately needs arms, although reinforcements are coming when Megill and Raley are ready. More is needed and we should consider moving Acuna, Vientos and Gilbert for power arms.

After a two-week sabbatical let’s bring back Alvarez and put him in the middle of the lineup. 

My new batting order would have Lindor, Nimmo, Soto, Alonso, Baty, Alvarez, Mauricio, Vientos and McNeil. This would be a bold move to determine whether Baty and Alvarez should be counted on for the future. Marte and Taylor would be defensive replacements. Trading for Mullen or Roberts would not be wise.

Most Mets fans would be satisfied with a solid defensive third baseman who hits around .260 with 20 homers and 70 RBIs. Baty is on course to meet those numbers.

 Ray

July 1, 2025