Four questions for the Mets to answer as the second half begins

The Mets have to address their issues with external options, but also need the players that are here to step up and improve too

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What’s up with the Mets? ⚾️

• The Mets signed Mitch Voit, their top pick from the 2025 Draft

• The rotation is set as the Mets take on the Reds to open up the second half. The team is going with Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, and then David Peterson.

• Dr. David Altchek, the longtime Mets medical director and noted Tommy John surgeon, passed away at the age of 88 (NY Post)

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Rumor Mill 💨

• The Mets are very interested in trading for Mitch Keller, although the Cubs and Yankees are also expressing interest (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

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Down on the Farm 🌾

All Mets minor league affiliates are off until Friday

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Today’s Game 🗓️

Match-up: Mets (55-42) vs Reds (50-47)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: LHP Sean Manaea (0-1, 2.70 ERA) vs. LHP Nick Lodolo (6-6, 3.38 ERA)

When: 7:10 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

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Questions facing the Mets as they start the second half…✍️

New York Post

The Mets are in a good spot as they start the second half. They are a half game behind the Phillies in the division, and they currently hold the second Wild Card spot with a 2.5 game lead over the Padres. While that all sounds good, the reality is they could be a lot better. They were terrible in June, going 12-15, and at one point, losing seven straight. Although it seems like it should’ve been a whole lot worse than that.

The good news is that the rotation is finally whole. Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga both made their return before the All-Star Break and pitched well, Frankie Montas is also here and looking promising, and the team seemingly put their June swoon behind them, but despite the recent uptick, there are still several questions this team needs to answer if they want to keep playing in October.

1. Does Clay Holmes remain a starter?
   
   Holmes started the season strong, but he might be tiring in his first season as a starter. In July so far, he has a 5.28 ERA in 15.1 innings pitched. He also isn’t going deep into games and has become a five-and-dive starter.
   
   He is still a very good pitcher, but the team needs to decide what the best course of action is when it comes to him. Do they trade for a starter and put him in the bullpen? That would definitely help solve their rotation and bullpen issues, but is that maximizing his talent? Do they keep him in the rotation and piggyback him with other pitchers like they did with Sean Manaea to keep their pitch counts low? That might work every once in a while, but that is not a long-term solution.
   
   Finding the right spot for Holmes will be a delicate balance both leading up to the trade deadline and beyond.

2. Is Mark Vientos the solution at third base?
   
   Vientos finally showed some life at the plate right before the All-Star break. Over his last seven games, he is hitting .304/.304/.478 with his bases clearing double against the Royals being the hit he needed to get him going. Overall, he is hitting just .223/.280/.641 with six home runs and 24 RBIs this season with a meager OPS of .641. The Mets unquestionably need another hitter in the lineup. Do they stick with Vientos and Brett Baty at third or do they look to acquire a third baseman like Eugenio Suárez at the deadline?
   
   The next week or so will be crucial for Vientos to prove that he deserves to remain in the lineup or if the team should look elsewhere to find offense out of the hot corner.

3. Will Francisco Álvarez return to the majors?
   
   Alvarez is another one who struggled mightily at the plate this season. He was hitting .236/.319/.333 with three home runs and 11 RBIs before he was sent down to Triple-A. He found his power stroke again with Syracuse even if he isn’t hitting for average. He has eight home runs in 18 games in Triple-A but is hitting .250/.333/.672.
   
   Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger have not really been contributing at the plate, so it seems likely Álvarez will be back sooner rather than later, and hopefully, that power will translate back to the major leagues.

4. Where can the Mets find more offense, more pitching?
   
   We talk about this a lot around here, but the Mets are getting nothing from nearly half their lineup on a daily basis. Vientos has contributed to the nothingness, Álvarez has contributed to the nothingness, but they’re not alone in their struggles.
   
   Yes, the Mets need a bat but they’re not finding four for the top of the depth chart. It’s going to be hard enough to find one in a thin trade market. So at some point, the people here need to wake up and smell the coffee.
   
   As for the pitching staff, there is reportedly obvious interest in Mitch Keller for the rotation, who seems like the best and ideal fit for their needs. But they also need at least one arm for the bullpen, especially from the left side. Those needs will need to be filled from the outside for sure, and there should be plenty of bullpen options for them to consider in the coming days and weeks.

David Stearns will have some decisions to make in the coming weeks as he looks to strengthen the team, but the team can get better if they just play up to their potential.

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Around the League 🚩

• The Braves acquired RHP Dane Dunning from the Rangers in exchange for right-hander Jose Ruiz and cash considerations

• The Rangers are expected to add Rowdy Tellez to the roster after he worked out with the team during the All-Star break

• The home of Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the All-Star break with personal items and jewelry being stolen (ESPN)

• There are eight teams on the playoff bubble who will have decisions to make about the team before the trade deadline (MLB.com)