After not collecting a single hit on the last road trip amid a struggle-filled 2023 campaign, the Mets announced Monday they optioned Brett Baty to Syracuse. It comes as no surprise as the former first-rounder has been slashing just .199/.271/.292/.563 with a 62 wRC+ and 31.1% strikeout rate since June 1.
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Baty started the year in Syracuse but got off to a hot start with 14 hits, five home runs and 15 RBIs in only nine games. Once promoted though, he fought for regular starting time with Eduardo Escobar and then soon won over the third base position. After the Escobar trade to the Angels, which netted the Mets minor league pitchers Landon Marceaux and Coleman Crow, Baty began to play every day.
In addition to a sluggish go at the plate, Baty’s defense has been a liability as well with some below-average defensive metrics (OAA, DRS).
The Mets also placed Starling Marte on the IL with a right groin strain today. Notably, Marte underwent groin surgery this past off-season. He just came off the IL after a bout of serious migraines. Mets fan may have seen the last of Marte this season, and if so, he slashed .248/.301/.324/.625 with a 75 OPS+. It’s a lost year for Marte, who clearly never fully recovered from his 2022 offseason surgeries. If this is it for 2023, he’ll have a full six months off before spring training.
Taking their sports on the active roster are Jonathan Araúz and Abraham Almonte.
Almonte had a scorching spring training, batting .500/.650/.643 in eight games, and he has an .895 OPS with Syracuse this year. The Mets begin a three-game series tonight against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. Araúz will bat ninth and start at second base.
