Fix the Mets Offense

[Centerfield]

Gwreck asked me last night in the IGT.  I didn't have much of an answer then, and I don't have much of one now.  But I've given it some thought.  My ideas.

*Force Brett Baty to take 2 strikes in his next two ABs.  Especially with Cabrera on the mound.  It's a dumb way to hit, but he's chasing way too much.  And maybe forcing his hand gets him going a bit.  Alternatively, tell him to hit opposite field only.  Again, a dumb way to hit, but it's not like it can trigger a slump.  He's gotta see the ball better.  Of all the guys struggling, at least with Baty you can identify a specific issue.

*Bat Alvarez 2nd.  Maybe he sees more strikes batting higher in the order.  There's only a handful of guys hitting.  Might as well bunch them.  Lindor-Alvarez-Bichette to start the game.  I don't like batting Robert high in the order.  And he's falling back in the pack anyway.

*WTF is Bichette doing with his crazy closed stance.  It's like seeing Travis d'Arnaud again.  Unless he's hurt, there's no reason to change things up.  Go back to what worked for him.  

*IL Polanco immediately.  It's crazy it hasn't happened already.  Don't bring him back until he's healthy.  He's shown he can't hit when he's hurt anyway.

*Play Vientos every day.  He hasn't produced.  But he at least has upside.  Might as well see what he can do with every day playing time while ppl are hurt.  Also, importantly, tell him he's going to play every day.  "Hey Mark, you're in the lineup every day until Soto comes back.  Run with this chance."

*Play Benge every day.  Even against lefties.  Again, upside.

*Forget scoring runs, or winning games.  That's what leads to innings like the 9th inning on Tuesday.  Focus on reaching base.  Everyone try to reach base 1 time today.  Set attainable goals.  See if that can relax a few guys.

*Call up Morabito and see if he can spark them until Soto is ready.

I mean, the biggest thing I'd do is look at my organization's hitting philosophy and consider if we're stressing the wrong things.  Maybe hand over the analytics department to JD Martinez or Carlos Beltran.  You have to think there has to be something to it if you change out the hitters and still get the same (actually worse) results.  But of the tangible things, this list is what I'd try.

My lineup.

1. Lindor SS
2. Alvarez C
3. Bichette 3B
4. Baty 2B
5. Vientos 1B
6. MJ Melendez DH
7. Robert CF
8. Benge RF
9. Nick Morabito LF

Focus on reaching base.  Creating traffic.  

[Edgy MD]

Do everything you can to stay out of doubleplays.  Eat, drink, and sleep on the thought of staying out of double-plays.  Eventually, you will find yourself successfully avoiding hitting into single outs, too.

Put off swinging as long as necessary into your count.  Take pitches like a boss.  Bunt.  Steal.  Hit and run.  All these things attack the double play and force the other team to make more plays.

It also helps to put contact hitters and patient hitters in your lineup.

And tell your team to stop congratulating each other for hitting into hard outs.  Celebrate soft success, not hard failure.