The Hot Corner

In the past month, Santucci has made made 6 starts. His performance is still somewhat erratic with his starts either being great or rather ineffective. Control still appears the big factor deciding how his starts go. During his last 6 starts Santucci pitched 21.3 innings and produced a WHIP 1.41. The elevated WHIP is due to high walk rate (6.33 / 9 IP), but his K rate remains high (12.66 / 9 IP). He is not getting hit particularly hard, as all of the hits he allowed over his 21.3 innings were singles other than 1 lone home run. For the season, he has made 16 starts for AA Binghamton and thrown 74 innings with an ERA of 3.77. Batters have hit .215 against him for the year and his WHIP 1.284. Like so many young pitchers, command seems to be his big issue as evidenced by his high walk rate (4.74 / 9 IP), but his stuff is good as his high K rate shows (11.31 / 9 IP) & low slugging % allowed (.310).

This team is an embarrassment.

The Mets are emulating the Nationals of late.

Soto is Superman.

Who is that in LF playing Superman?

I was shaking my head in disgust while laughing so that I wasn't sure who made the third KC error.

Wow, that was embarrassingly bad defense. Benge hits it all of 10-12 feet. Lugo fields it and throws it in the dirt at first (E-1). First baseman retrieves the ball and, best I can figure, throws it to the 3rd base dugout (E-3). Then it is retrieved and promptly thrown away to allow Benge to circle the bases. The level of defensive play I have observed while watching Mets games is embarrassing for professionals. There have of course been some truly stunning plays, but the number of routine and easier plays that are botched is mind boggling.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, but good for Seelinger. I hope he gets in and does well, before he inevitably becomes the next reliever sent back down in the bullpen churn.

I just think that if the Mets truly intend to be playoff contenders next season, it is more important to hold someone like Weaver. He is far more likely, to be of value and contribute to winning next season than a solid prospect that is likely 1-3 years away from contributing to the MLB club. Of the top 20 prospects on MLB prospects list, only 3 of them are at AAA. 12 of them are in AA and the remaining 5 are in A or lower. They are not likely to make a difference in the teams competitiveness next season. It doesn't change dramatically, as you move down the list. If they want to trade Peralta and or Williams, that's fine with me. Of the players the Mets would likely be looking to move at (or before) the deadline, they are not likely to obtain anyone that would make a difference for 2027.

That's because they're dum!

I would rather trade Williams and make Weaver the closer next year.

I agree with walking Olson.

Williams should not be out there.

Expecting a steal followed by a game winning hit.

Is anyone actually surprised? The way this year is going you had to expect this.

I can't believe the Braves were crazy enough to give Soto anything to hit in that at bat. I was so shocked I initially posted in the wrong thread.

I can't believe the Braves were crazy enough to give Soto anything to hit there. That was a no doubt bomb by Soto. *Whoops, wrong thread. So shocked, I lost track of where I was at.

The Braves demonstrating this inning what it looks like for a team to actually play solid defense.

Yet another defensive miscue by the Mets. The official scorer again calls a Mets botched catch a hit. I don't even know why I watch anymore.

I'm not sure Robert, Semien & Mauricio are significantly underforming expectations. At least, not mine, as I really didn't expect much out of them. Semien and Robert have been in decline for a few years going into this season. To count on the two of them to suddenly rebound and be significant contributors was (and is) folly. Mauricio, has never really impressed, so my expectations were quite low. Baty and Vientos have regressed and I don't expect either of them to ever be dependable regulars. Vientos in particular, I am over. He strikes out too much, walks too infrequently so his BA & OBP are pathetic and not conducive to a productive hitter. Then to further reduce his value, he is a defensive liability at any position they have played him. Bichette is the player that has grossly underperformed my expectations. He has at least been better the past month or so, but it's too little too late. As disappointing as he has been on the season as a whole he leads the team in RBIs. Lindor always starts slow, which is problematic, but he generally turns it around as the weather warms. Unfortunately, his injury derailed his season. I really didn't know what to expect from Polanco. I think the Mets counted on him to remain healthy and replicate his 2025 season while learning a new position. Considering 2025 was one of his best seasons both in production and health, it was a questionable plan at best. Okay, I get off my soapbox now.

Wow. The Mets defense is again pretty porous as Young boots a ground ball. Ruled a hit, by the official scorer but it was an error all the way. Hitters must love the official scorer at Truist. Just like the routine pop up off Taylor's glove the other night was ruled a triple. Now the official scorer has (rightfully) changed his ruling to an error on Young's botched ground ball.

I am pleased with the adjustments and progress that Benge has made over the course of the season. I expect Ewing to develop into a good top of the line up hitter. He has good patience and awareness of the strike zone Soto is elite. Lindor should be okay longterm. Baty and Vientos have had sufficient opportunities to show what they can and can't do. I think they should not be counted on to be anything more than part-time backups. Alvarez is faintly ahead of Baty and Vientos, but not by much. Robert, Semien, and Taylor should not be counted on to fill major rolls moving forward. Bichette will likely opt out and move on at the end of the season. I think Jared Young can be a platoon player at DH/1st base. Then, of course, there is the mess that is the starting pitching. The Mets have a major rebuild ahead of them this offseason.

I wish I had been that smart. I opted out following the bases clearing non-error.

Swing hard and hope for contact seems to be the predominant methodology for Mets hitters. Patience and pitch recognition seems to be lost on most of the hitters (outside of Soto and Ewing).

This team is embarrassing. The offense is anemic, the starting pitching is in shambles, and the defense not remotely of MLB caliber.