The Mets’ run-scoring problems have been well-documented. The team has posted just six runs amidst the current five game skid. And, what’s worse, there does not appear to be any immediate help ready down in the minor leagues.
Many, myself included, have proposed potential candidates Sandy Alderson could pursue. The likes of Todd Frazier, Carlos Gonzalez, and Jean Segura are just a few who have been heavily debated in the comment threads on MMO. However, given that it is only mid-June and Sandy has not dealt for an established major leaguer during his five-year tenure in New York, I think it is reasonable to rule out a significant external acquisition, at least for the foreseeable future.
The Mets are going to have to work with what they have got. And what they’ve got is a few smart ball-players such as Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer, patient hitters like Lucas Duda and Ruben Tejada, solid speed in Dilson Herrera and Darrell Ceciliani and of course stellar pitching. Therefore, I think the Mets should maximize their current personnel, be more aggressive, and play small ball.
Before I fully delve into my argument, I would first like to point out that, for the purpose of this article, I am demoting Eric Campbell to Triple-A and promoting Wilfredo Tovar, a move that gives the Mets better defense and speed off the bench.
Like we talked about earlier, the Mets have had just an awful time scoring runs. A quick look at the stat sheet reveals that New York has totaled the fewest hits in the National League. That puts them behind anemic offenses like those of Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati. The small ball stratagem would allow New York to take full advantage of each precious base runner and give the pitching staff as much run support as possible.
An important principle of small ball is speed, yet the Mets rank third-to-last in the NL in steals this season. Still, this low total is more due to Terry Collins’ managerial style than personnel. The team has been successful on 27 of 33 attempts to swipe a bag this year, a well above-average 82% rate. And with Tovar up in the big leagues, the Mets would have five legitimate stolen-base threats in Juan Lagares, Ceciliani, Granderson, and Herrera. The Mets do not need newer, faster players. They just need to be more aggressive on the base paths with the ones they already have.
Imagine again Sunday night’s 9th inning versus the Braves. After Granderson and Lagares singled to open the frame, the small ball strategy allows for a few options. I agree with Collins’ idea to let Duda hit with two men on and no one out, but once he flies out, the strategy shifts.
Now, with Cuddyer up, the Mets should consider a double-steal. Granderson, while not the gazelle he once was, can still run and has a strong base running acumen and Lagares gets a virtual free pass to second base. Given runners career 81% success rate against then-Braves’ catcher Ryan Lavarnway, the Mets stood a good chance of moving up the runners by simply being more aggressive. Then, Cuddyer’s ground ball that ended the game Sunday would have evened the score at one run apiece.
Scenario’s such as Sunday night’s ninth inning demonstrate the benefits in a change in hitting philosophy, but even disregarding the 1-0 loss to Atlanta, small ball gives the Mets the best chance to win games going forward.
When a runner gets on base, he should either steal or be moved/bunted over by the batter. The Mets do not have a deep enough lineup to bet on stringing together three consecutive hits in an inning or waiting for the 3-Run homer that never comes. The current Mets are simply not that kind of team.
For now, there are no more talented rookies coming up the pipeline. This is our team for at least the next month. Executing a small ball strategy would allow the Mets to push across more runs and turn those 1-0 losses into 2-1 wins.
