Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Since June 16, the Mets have a National League worst 26-40 record and their overall record now sits at 61-65 for the season. A quick fall for a Mets team that had a four-game lead in first place at the trade deadline.
So who is to blame for the now third place Mets?
Well, Mets fans certainly felt it was manager Luis Rojas on Wednesday night as they started a “fire Rojas’ chant following a big hit by Brandon Crawford. Mets starter Taijuan Walker was pitching scoreless baseball into the seventh inning when the first two hitters reached via an error and then a base hit. With the left-handed hitting Crawford coming up, Rojas decided to go to lefty (and his best reliever this season) Aaron Loup.
Crawford hit a go-ahead two-run double to give the Giants a 3-2 lead on the first pitch from Loup and then the chant ensued.
The Mets would have chances to win the game, including Pete Alonso up with the bases loaded in the ninth, though they ultimately lost by that 3-2 score.
After the game, Rojas wasn’t phased by the chants. “You always hear it. But there’s no reaction. They can say whatever. This is baseball. We have a very passionate fan base, and they’re going to do those things. That’s just okay, that’s part of the game, and part of baseball here in New York with how passionate our fans are.”
The 2021 season hasn’t gone as fans had expected –including the ultimate fan in owner Steve Cohen — for a long list of reasons. The Mets have not only dealt with injuries in sheer numbers (already set franchise record for most players used), but also to important pieces like Jacob deGrom, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon Nimmo.
Then there’s the copious amounts of doubleheaders they’ve had to play in a short period –with some terrible scheduling by MLB throw-in to boot. The Mets are also dealing with key (expected) contributors in Michael Conforto, James McCann, Dominic Smith, and Jeff McNeil all underperforming.
Combine all that with a front office that probably should’ve continued adding during the offseason and likely made the same mistake at the trade deadline, and you have an extremely disappointing season.
Where does the blame mostly fall? Is it the makeshift front office, the underperforming players, and/or the young manager?
