I always enjoy checking out all the mid-season grades that come out during the All Star break and so far we have Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Mike Puma of the NY Post and Mike Vorkunov of the Star-Ledger checking in. Here is a small spattering of what they are saying:
ESPN New York
Sandy Alderson gets a C+
The final 10 games have mellowed fans, but the Mets still may be headed for their sixth straight losing season, and fourth straight under Alderson. That $7.25 million allotted to Chris Young looks worse and worse with every Nelson Cruz homer. And, let’s be frank: A lot of the recent surge is the result of players inherited by this regime, including Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia and Jacob deGrom on the pitching side.
Curtis Granderson gets a B
An abysmal April had observers making comparisons to the four-year deal signed by Jason Bay, but the ex-Yankee has turned things around. Intended to be Wright’s protection, Granderson has now primarily shifted to the leadoff spot. He’s hitting .274 with 13 homers, 36 RBIs and a .380 OBP since May 1.
David Wright gets a C+
Passed over for the All-Star Game for only the second time in the past nine seasons, Wright (.285, 8 HR, 48 RBIs) candidly said he did not merit being selected. He continues to mend a left rotator cuff bruise and was due to receive a cortisone injection after Sunday’s first-half finale.
Lucas Duda gets a B
Since the April 18 trade of Ike Davis, Duda has outperformed his former teammate. Duda is hitting .256 with 11 homers, 41 RBIs and a .355 OBP since Davis’ departure. Davis, meanwhile, is hitting .237 with four homers, 23 RBIs and a .352 OBP as a Buc.
New York Post
Terry Collins gets a C
The fact the Mets have a plus-19 runs differential, but are five games below .500 doesn’t reflect well on Collins. Even so, the Mets haven’t quit, and that reflects positively on the manager.
Bartolo Colon gets a B-
The veteran right-hander has given the Mets a decent return on the two-year contract worth $20 million he received last winter, but his cold finish to the first half might be a cause for concern.
Josh Edgin gets a B+
After struggling with control earlier in his career, Edgin has developed into a dependable lefty reliever. He has actually been tougher on right-handers than lefties.
Chris Young gets a F
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson could have done much better with his $7.25 million. Young is hitting only .202 with eight homers and 27 RBIs. The team might soon need this roster spot.
Star-Ledger
Juan Lagares gets a B
Expected to be a dynamic defensive player in center field, Juan Lagares has also been a healthy contributor in the Mets lineup. His .734 OPS is fifth best on the Mets and 12th best among center fielders in baseball. The only downside has been two stints on the disabled list.
Jacob deGrom gets an A-
Jacob deGrom has been a revelation. Zack Wheeler continues his development into a front of the rotation pitcher. Jon Niese and Dillon Gee have been excellent between disabled list stints. And except for a few throw-away starts, Bartolo Colon has been great value for his contract. On the whole, the starting rotation has been the best part of the first half for the Mets.
Travis d’Arnaud gets a C
It’s been a topsy-turvy season for Travis d’Arnaud. Always an appreciated and well-received catcher, he struggled at the the plate for the first two months of season before a demotion to Triple-A. But since returning d’Arnaud has become a potent hitter and shown flashes of being the top catcher he is supposed to become.
Mets Bullpen gets a B
Led by Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia, the Mets bullpen has transformed itself into a consistent and, sometimes, dominating group after early hiccups with Jose Valverde and Kyle Farnsworth. Familia is a hard-thrower who has matured into a dependable setup man. Mejia has quickly taken to his role as closer and given the Mets stability and a valuable arm going forward.
