smg58

I guess I meant questioned in New York in general more than I meant questioned on this site in particular.

We're a game ahead of the 2024 Mets 60 games in. We're six games out of a playoff spot, and we're at least competitive with most of the teams ahead of us (not counting the division leaders) in terms of run differential. We need to be a better team than we've been up to this point, for sure, but hopefully a lot of that will come from guys returning to the lineup. And hey, we are no longer burdened with high expectations.

Bichette is hitting like he did two years ago when he was banged up all season. He looks like he's playing hurt, but unlike our other players with major league experience at shortstop, he's at least well enough to take the field. It was never about the position change -- remember the Jays introduced him to a completely unfamiliar position during the World Series last year, and I don't remember anybody questioning it like it was questioned here.

I'd like to think that three walks in his first game qualifies as forcing his way up.

The offense is a bigger problem than the pitching right now. Other than Alvarez, nobody is hitting. I'm particularly disappointed in Baty and Vientos, who have been given the opportunity to grab full time jobs and have flat out refused to do so. Stearns showed too much confidence in Benge's readiness, but that is water under the bridge at this point. I think Polanco was playing hurt, but Bichette and Lindor really couldn't afford to slump with Soto out. The bullpen has let them down a few times, yesterday certainly, but we wouldn't have noticed if the team was hitting.

Freddy Peralta will pitch to the 3.60 ERA that his career numbers, and peripherals from last year, say that he will. Much press space and air time will be devoted to speculating on what's wrong with him. Benge will have ups and downs but will be solid down the stretch. Devin Williams will be fine. But the Mets will still need Clay Holmes to bail out their bullpen. Soto will make last year look like Beltran's 2005. Jonah Tong will be the key to their season.

Hello, is this the draft room?

Was Randy Jones a Padre for long enough to get 20.4 WAR?

How about Larry Bowa for the Phillies?

We had a Halloween-themed event at our campus last October, and one of my colleagues wore a Bears shirt complete with "Chico's Bail Bonds" on the back. It totally made my night. I'm gonna be bullish on this Soto guy: .285/.425/.600, 130 runs and 110 RBI, and says "No way, Shohei!" as he goes to grab some hardware.

Far too many Mets on this list.

I went for Hubie. His two best seasons were in Montreal, and he didn't have a standout hit (much less a postseason one, like Agbayani) for the Mets that I could remember.

He's righthanded, and the Guardians have lefties at 1B and DH, so the fit makes sense on a no-risk deal.

Jose Rojas.

Frequently discussed Twins pitcher Pablo López has a torn UCL. It's a head-shaker that the Twins would trade all their other short-term contracts, but hold on to a pitcher.