MLB 2023

[MJF]

Can he pitch?

Nope. I remember his ceremonial first pitch last year. Almost as bad as 50 Cent.

 

[Lame Lambert]

Nope. I remember his ceremonial first pitch last year. Almost as bad as 50 Cent.

And? 50 Cent would eat more innings than Scherzer

 

[Lights911]

Well, this is what the fan base wanted. Big payroll doesn't always equal wins. 40-year-olds making 40 million, average lineup, garbage bullpen. Typical Mets just more expensive this time.

 

[Glory Days]

Can he pitch?

If he pitches like he shoots everything should hit the catcher in his stomach.

 

[Lame Lambert]

Well, this is what the fan base wanted. Big payroll doesn't always equal wins. 40-year-olds making 40 million, average lineup, garbage bullpen. Typical Mets just more expensive this time.

The funny part is even the alternative options they had are awful. deGrom out for 6-8 weeks again. Rodon is doing a Dead Lowrie impression. Bassitt stinks. Walker stinks. Correa looks useless.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

The funny part is even the alternative options they had are awful. deGrom out for 6-8 weeks again. Rodon is doing a Dead Lowrie impression. Bassitt stinks. Walker stinks. Correa looks useless.

For all of the years blaming the ownership / GM for the misfortunes of this franchise, this year it is 100% on the players.

This is not a collection of bad players, they simply are not performing. 6-16 over the last 22 games is appalling from this roster.

 

[Lame Lambert]

For all of the years blaming the ownership / GM for the misfortunes of this franchise, this year it is 100% on the players.

This is not a collection of bad players, they simply are not performing. 6-16 over the last 22 games is appalling from this roster.

I think Buck and Eppler are awful, but these players really are pathetic. Just completely unlikeable and underperforming.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

I think Buck and Eppler are awful, but these players really are pathetic. Just completely unlikeable and underperforming.

As we learned down the stretch last year, Marte is the straw that stirs the drink.

He's at -0.3 WAR, sub .300 OBP, 1 HR and STINKS

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

I'll keep saying "maybe that wakes them up?" until I speak it into existence

LFGM

 

[saintunspecified]

The funny part is even the alternative options they had are awful. deGrom out for 6-8 weeks again. Rodon is doing a Dead Lowrie impression. Bassitt stinks. Walker stinks. Correa looks useless.

I think a lot of this is a function of expectations. A couple of years ago, it was understood that The Mets had a bunch of very good position player prospects on the way up, but really no pitching in the system. Cohen wasn't patient, so he spend on older free agent pitchers to tide the team over.

I'm really not all that surprised that, from the point of view of pitching, the team is having a difficult time. And it's also hard to see blue-chip pitching talent in the minors. On the other hand, the Mets should have an absolute ton of high-end bats in the system. Mauricio looks like the real deal, Ramirez is way ahead of schedule, and they've got the two players they drafted last year who just get on base all the time. You can't judge a righty power hitter's power numbers in Brooklyn. Consuegra has a an absolute TON of power, but any ball with loft gets knocked down by the sea breeze. Last summer I saw him hit a double that I am 100% certain would be long gone nearly everywhere.

 

[MJF]

It’s too bad that after last night’s win the kids with the hot bats, Alvarez and Vientos aren’t in today’s starting lineup. WTF Buck?

 

[LightningStorm]

Series win against the team with the best record! Last night's game was definitely my favorite game so far in this young season, and winning the series this afternoon was a good encore. Hopefully this gives us a spark going forward, and we take advantage of these 3 straight light series, unlike us blowing our easy schedule early this month.

 

[Lame Lambert]

Buck finally puts together a competitive lineup

 

[MJF]

Buck finally puts together a competitive lineup

And the pitching was trash.

 

[LightningStorm]

What a magical last 3 days! Unbelievable comeback tonight with Polar Pete staying hot with a game tying grand slam, and the rookies continue to provide a spark to our lineup.

 

[Lame Lambert]

The diet is back on

 

[Lame Lambert]

Buck has destroyed this team

 

[Glory Days]

Gary Sanchez experiment didn’t last long

 

[saintunspecified]

Gary Sanchez experiment didn’t last long

I don't think there's any going back from Alvarez as a primary starting C, so his value would only be as a DH. Nido is a perfect backup C. I would love to see Alvarez & Nido split catching starts & have Alvarez DH on other days (don't care about platoon). But the Mets can't do that w/o carrying a third catcher, and Sanchez doesn't fit that role.

The Mets have gotten very little from their corner outfielders & DH. That's their problem, and they had this problem going in. And they've gotten very little (so far) out of Scherzer & Verlander. They've made it to .500 on the basis of Alonso, McNeil, and a very competent (despite not having Diaz) bullpen.

They could rapidly improve based on (i) Alvarez & Baty become increasingly accustomed to MLB pitching, (ii) Marte & Lindor start hitting like they are capable - a Lindor hot streak is bound to happen, (iii) they do something to solve LF/DH, and (iv) they get much more from Scherzer/Verlander. Still, it seems unlikely to me for enough to go right to make the playoffs. But I also wouldn't be surprised if enough did go right.

Personally, I think Vientos' swing is too easy to exploit given MLB scouting & pitcher's ability to locate. Too long, too much of an uppercut, which is forgivable in a LH bat, but not from the right. I think he's a specialty bat based on what I've seen. I have bigger hopes for Mauricio. He has problem with chasing, but his batspeed/flexibility gives him a much better chance to adjust to good pitching. The Mets best chance to fix their offense might be to stick him at 2B, send McNeil to LF, and dump someone. My guess is that they'll wait for an injury to try it.

 

[Glory Days]

I don't think there's any going back from Alvarez as a primary starting C, so his value would only be as a DH. Nido is a perfect backup C. I would love to see Alvarez & Nido split catching starts & have Alvarez DH on other days (don't care about platoon). But the Mets can't do that w/o carrying a third catcher, and Sanchez doesn't fit that role.

The Mets have gotten very little from their corner outfielders & DH. That's their problem, and they had this problem going in. And they've gotten very little (so far) out of Scherzer & Verlander. They've made it to .500 on the basis of Alonso, McNeil, and a very competent (despite not having Diaz) bullpen.

They could rapidly improve based on (i) Alvarez & Baty become increasingly accustomed to MLB pitching, (ii) Marte & Lindor start hitting like they are capable - a Lindor hot streak is bound to happen, (iii) they do something to solve LF/DH, and (iv) they get much more from Scherzer/Verlander. Still, it seems unlikely to me for enough to go right to make the playoffs. But I also wouldn't be surprised if enough did go right.

Personally, I think Vientos' swing is too easy to exploit given MLB scouting & pitcher's ability to locate. Too long, too much of an uppercut, which is forgivable in a LH bat, but not from the right. I think he's a specialty bat based on what I've seen. I have bigger hopes for Mauricio. He has problem with chasing, but his batspeed/flexibility gives him a much better chance to adjust to good pitching. The Mets best chance to fix their offense might be to stick him at 2B, send McNeil to LF, and dump someone. My guess is that they'll wait for an injury to try it.

Excellent summary. I agree with most of what you said. I still suspect they are one starter short although Carasco pitched well yesterday

 

[The Real JT]

Thoughts and prayers.

 

[LightningStorm]

Ain't no better sweep than sweeping the Phils! LFGM!

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

The death of Mad Max was highly exaggerated

 

[Osakahaus]

Watching the Mets this year is like pulling teeth. Baseball sucks again.

 

[MJF]

The Mets dodged a bullet with this one