Are the Mets Just Bad

[Centerfield]

At scoring runs? 17th in MLB in runs scored, 17th in MLB in OPS.



Maybe the good news here is that they almost have to get better. McNeil, JD, and Lindor are all under .700 in OPS. McNeil might be washed, but the other two you'd think will end up significantly higher. Alonso's OPS is .715. That will improve. Nimmo's also below career norms at .744.



But the others might be what they are. Marte, Baty, Alvarez, Bader. They kinda are what they've been. Maybe one of them will break out but you certainly can't bank on it.



So far, the young guys on the farm aren't providing much hope. Jett Williams is injured and batting .179. Acuna's OPS is .595. Drew Gilbert is out until the end of this month with a hamstring. Maybe we call up Vientos and hope he's improved with the glove enough to stick around.

[Edgy MD]

I don't think they're bad. I think there's a philosophical change they need. I think we allow players to spend all their offensive time on perfecting swings rather than actual execution.



I think they could be really terrific.

[metirish]

I don't know what the answer is, but we need those tablesetters. Jeff has been this way for far too long. Nimmo swings for the fences , Lindor is showing life at least

[Marshmallowmilkshake]

We've also played a bunch of well-above average teams. Can we please play the Marlins, Rockies, and some of the other bottom-feeders for a while?

[Edgy MD]

=metirish post_id=154475 time=1715022537 user_id=72]
I don't know what the answer is, but we need those tablesetters. Jeff has been this way for far too long. Nimmo swings for the fences , Lindor is showing life at least

[batmagadanleadoff]

=Centerfield post_id=154470 time=1715020573 user_id=65]
At scoring runs? 17th in MLB in runs scored, 17th in MLB in OPS.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Edgy MD wrote: I think we allow players to spend all their offensive time on perfecting swings rather than actual execution.

There's a difference?

[Edgy MD]

Yes, I'd say. Yes.

[MFS62]

17th in MLB in runs scored, 17th in MLB in OPS.

That's consistent with their record.

As football coach Bill Parcells said, "You are what your record is".



Later

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: =metirish post_id=154475 time=1715022537 user_id=72] I don't know what the answer is, but we need those tablesetters. Jeff has been this way for far too long. Nimmo swings for the fences , Lindor is showing life at least

Nimmo is, when directed and freed to be, one of the very best tablesetters.



Whoever got in his mind and told him that he was leaving power on the table by not guessing and jumping on the first pitch more has done him and the Mets a grave disservice.



If Nimmo and Lindor embraced what they were best at (laying off bad pitches and smashing it the other way, respectively), it would be glorious. Fireworks, parades, and proclamations from City Hall on a weekly basis.

[Frayed Knot]

=Marshmallowmilkshake post_id=154477 time=1715025498 user_id=119]
We've also played a bunch of well-above average teams. Can we please play the Marlins, Rockies, and some of the other bottom-feeders for a while?

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

the grand slam was off Luis Guillorme, so maybe it is the opponent

[Frayed Knot]

In other words, we can't really count that one ... so it's 4 singles plus 3 BB and 15 RBI in 35 ABs

Four singles means let's say 6 RBI, the walks add 3 more, so there are maybe 6 productive outs (of 30) in the whole lot.

[Edgy MD]

And that's about approachy approachy approach.

[kcmets]

The Mets currently have a 28% of making the post season this

season according to a trusted industry source - not a gambling,

book-maker or Ponzi scheme provider.



That's less than a one in three chance. How this 'sounds like a

playoff team' today holds very little water. Needs Flex Seal or at

least a lot of duct tape.

[Edgy MD]

Still and all, I'd take that bet.



I can't help myself.

[Centerfield]

The Mets are 18th in MLB in runs scored. They're currently 20th in OPS. I don't know how you guys feel, but that sounds about right to me.



On the plus side, the Mets are 11th in team ERA. So overall, a game under .500



.500 might just be good enough to hang around for the 3rd WC spot for a while. Hopefully none of those flawed teams gets hot.

[Gwreck]

Is McNeil bad, or is he hurt? Was he ever healthy this year? Is this like Marte last year, where he was put on the DL way too late and never got healthy?



Baty is not good. Now, patience is fine, and this is a transition year anyway, but he's not good.



Bench and roster construction leaves something to be desired with 3 players who can't hit and a bunch of extra DHes.

[bmfc1]

[bLOCKQUOTE]Bench and roster construction leaves something to be desired with 3 players who can't hit and a bunch of extra DHes.[/bLOCKQUOTE]

Right. When you pinch-run w/DJ Stewart, then yes, there is an issue with roster construction.

JDM is a DH-only which is fine b/c he's a good hitter but it clogs up a spot that is mostly used elsewhere for players getting a half day off. If you have one DH you don't need a 2d and Stewart is also a DH-only (they can only play him in the OF and you pray the ball doesn't get hit to him as it did last Tuesday in St. Louis).

Wendle, Stewart, and Narvaez are all LH, making for an lopsided bench. Also, Narvaez can't hit or catch (but he's the 11th highest-paid C in MLB), Stewart can't field, and Wendle does nothing productive.

[metirish]

Yes

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

=Gwreck post_id=155231 time=1715661653 user_id=56]
Is McNeil bad, or is he hurt? Was he ever healthy this year? Is this like Marte last year, where he was put on the DL way too late and never got healthy?



Baty is not good. Now, patience is fine, and this is a transition year anyway, but he's not good.



Bench and roster construction leaves something to be desired with 3 players who can't hit and a bunch of extra DHes.

[whippoorwill]

Sounds like they are very bad from reading all your comments and IGTs



I am gathering the Mets are carrying several players only for offense or only for defense.

It sounds like Diaz is toast.

It sounds like McNeil might be too.

It sounds like poor Alonso is trying too hard d to carry the team.



Surprisingly, and knock on wood, it sounds for the most part as though the pitching staff is dependable. I am happy for this, at least.



Bringing up Syracuse players to boost the team sounds like a good and exciting plan but it underscores the paltryness of the main team.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Stearns has said that it takes 45 games to evaluate a team. We're almost there.

[MFS62]

=whippoorwill post_id=155254 time=1715690664 user_id=79]
Bringing up Syracuse players to boost the team sounds like a good and exciting plan but it underscores the paltryness of the main team.

[Edgy MD]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Stearns has said that it takes 45 games to evaluate a team. We're almost there.

Yeah, that's the perspective to take.

[The Hot Corner]

There are too many players (Lindor, McNeil, & Nimmo) significantly underperforming their expected norms at the plate. Then with Alvarez hurt, the Mets are forced to play Nido/Narvaez, who offer no real offensive threat. Alonso is a streaky power hitter that is not likely to hit much better than .250, but too many of his home runs (8 of 10) are solo shots. Baty I expect could develop into a decent hitter with some pop, but the team needs him to start figuring it out. Vientos and Baty may provide a decent platoon at third base, though I do worry about Vientos' defense. Bader, Martinez and Marte are providing about what I expected offensively.



The pitches need to stop walking so many batters. They are proving the old adage "walks kill" on an almost nightly basis. Overall, the bullpen has been pretty solid, but greatly overworked due to the starters seldom pitching deep into games.



Overall, not a promising start to the season. Getting Alvarez and Senga should help, but I doubt it will be enough to make the Mets much more than a .500 team. The underperforming veterans need to collectively start hitting or this will continue to be a very long and frustrating season.

[MFS62]

A good summary of the situation.

Later

[ashie62]

I saw something about Cohen deleting a tweet regarding the trade deadline



Wish I had more but I dont

[Lefty Specialist]

Something about them being sellers at the deadline. They play the Marlins this weekend which should be a pretty good barometer of how bad the Mets are.

[metirish]

=ashie62 post_id=155633 time=1715964269 user_id=90]
I saw something about Cohen deleting a tweet regarding the trade deadline



Wish I had more but I dont