Look, I get it. The Mets have been playing less than .500 baseball for over a month and a half. They have a 19-21 record since May 1 and find themselves five games behind the division-leading Washington Nationals.
This is not unfamiliar territory for the Mets, we’ve seen this before in 2015 and we all know how that worked out. And therein lies the lesson, which is to say now is not the time to panic. There is still more than half a season to play out.
The important thing to note is that the Mets have the starting pitching to push this team to the playoffs. Are there some significant problems on offense? Of course there is, nobody denies this. They have some key players injured, and among the healthy options, many are not carrying their weight. It’s an unsustainable situation.
But the Mets have some viable options. Last year the team turned to Michael Conforto at the end of July to add some spark to the team. Maybe this year that distinction falls on Brandon Nimmo or Dilson Herrera. By the way, you noticed how Nimmo became a hot issue a day after our piece announcing his readiness?
Another thing… It’s too early for teams to start dealing key players like Lucroy, Solarte or Valencia, so just like last year the Mets will need to continue to stay within striking distance of the Nationals until we can bolster the team with some new additions. I’m certain Sandy Alderson will get something done. This is not a man who will be sitting on his hands at the trade deadline.
“I think it’s going to depend quite a bit on what the situation is late in July, what our injury situation is with respect to all of the players we currently have on the disabled list, and those that may go on between now and then,” Alderson said.
Alderson knows that dealing for James Loney is not enough but he was there and the Mets needed a stopgap.
“While those are not necessarily total solutions, this time of year, when you’re facing injuries, it’s difficult to fill in for those injured players because most clubs are not in a trade mode,” Alderson said. “You have to live with what’s available. We’re fortunate we’ve been able to add a few players. Rene Rivera is another one. We have to fight through it, but it’s a concern as we go forward, no question.”
So give Sandy some time to do his job and in the meantime the Mets will have to trudge along.
Last night, Terry Collins gave his struggling offense a free pass. “If you think I’m going to criticize my lineup, you’re talking to the wrong guy,” Collins said.
It’s funny because he kept doing the same thing last May, June and July. Then he drew a line in the sand and threatened his key players that they would be replaced if they didn’t start producing, including Lucas Duda and Michael Cuddyer.
The bottom line is that the Mets currently own one of those two wild card slots and some people are acting like it’s the End of Days.
Not all seasons are created equal and maybe the Mets’ road to a World Series this season will be different than last year. Remember it’s not about how you start but how you finish, and there’s plenty of season left to play.
I will put out starting pitching and our back of the bullpen up against any team, and don’t forget Zack Wheeler is only a month away – if he’s not dealt. Travis d’Arnaud is a week away and his bat will help as well.
So do yourselves a favor, chill out and enjoy the journey, as the Mets navigate through this rough patch and try to turn things around. In the end, I know our patience will be rewarded.
