What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets were blown out in the finale against the Brewers by a score of 8-2 (box)
LHP Sean Manaea put the team in an early hole against young phenom RHP Jacob Misiorowski. Manaea’s final line was 5.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
RHP Xzavion Curry was tagged for two runs in 2.1 IP
The Mets only had three hits coming off the bats of Luis Robert Jr., Jared Young, and Christopher Morel
Interim manager Andy Green could be fit for the GM role if he does indeed return to the front office (SNY)
Roster Moves 📰
RHP Xzavion Curry was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
RHP Chayce McDermott was optioned to Triple-A
Play of the Game 🙃
LF Jackson Chourio had a big day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with four runs scored, 4 RBIs, and 2 home runs. His first big blow came in the second inning with the Mets already down 2-0. He contributed to that early lead when he singled to lead off and eventually came around to score the game’s first run on an RBI single by Andrew Vaughn.
He doubled Milwaukee’s lead with a two-run blast in the second with two outs. Manaea had gotten the first two outs of the inning, but then a bunt single and a blast essentially put the game out of reach. Runs were always going to be hard to come by with Jacob Misiorowski on the mound, so a 4-0 lead felt insurmountable. The Brewers added on runs later on in the game, but it was those two runs that ultimately ended up being the game-winning runs.
The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️
In the latest edition of The Just Mets Podcast, Rich recapped a rough series against Milwaukee, discussed Sean Manaea’s recent regression, and the rumors around Andy Green and a potential landing spot as the club’s GM.
SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Down on the Farm 🌾
SS Elian Peña (No. 3 prospect, High-A): 2-for-4, R, 2 RBIs, 2 K
CF Aiden Robbins (No. 10 prospect, High-A): 2-for-3, HR, 2B, R, RBI, BB
BOX SCORES
Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG (PPD) | Triple-A SYR (PPD)
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (60-74) vs. Astros (67-67)
Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP Christian Scott (4-3, 3.73 ERA) vs. RHP Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.51 ERA)
When: 7:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
Jared Young has earned his keep with the Mets ✍️
It’s no secret things have gone horribly wrong for the Mets this season, perhaps most glaringly at first base.
David Stearns let Pete Alonso walk, which was certainly a questionable decision, although not really that surprising considering what had happened the previous winter. It’s clear this front office didn’t want Alonso; they were looking to move on the first time Alonso hit free agency after the 2024 season, and the Mets had no interest in entertaining even a medium-term contract for Alonso at any point.
Perhaps more questionably though was the backup plan, if that’s what you want to call it. That which was signing a DH with no first base experience in tandem with Mark Vientos, the latter of which was never a good idea to begin with considering he was a fractional third baseman with next to no experience at first base, either. It’s hard to get angry with poor Jorge Polanco, who was a square peg signed to fill a round hole. On top of that, he has been battling an Achilles injury all season long, and his future with the team is very much up in the air, although he is owed $20 million for the 2027 season, which will make it hard for the Mets to cut bait with him.
Vientos has equally been a disaster, hitting just .211/.256/.388 with an OPS of .644 and an absolute mess at first base. Although again, this wasn’t entirely unpredictable either. He fractured his right hand after he was hit on the hand with a pitch during a game in July, but as it turns out, the Mets have been a lot better without him than they were with him, which again, is not really all that surprising. Vientos is currently rehabbing, and he is getting closer to being ready, but manager Andy Green recently said that Vientos would have to earn his playing time once he does make his return to the big league club. It makes sense for the Mets to wait until rosters expand next week before bringing Vientos back, which they have to since he is out of options.
That is probably due in large part to the play of Jared Young, who has been one of this lost season’s pleasant surprises. Overall, Young is hitting .268/.330/.440 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs in 85 games this season.
The Mets signed Young after he played in the KBO and spent most of 2025 in the minor leagues. With injuries and underperformance, he has been given an opportunity to play every day, and he seized his chance. He currently leads the active roster with a .770 OPS and was one of three Mets who managed to get a hit against Jacob Misiorowski during Thursday night’s lopsided loss.
The Mets shouldn’t stand pat with Young going forward, as good as he’s been. He should remain with the team; he has earned his keep for sure and should be one of the first basemen on this team in 2027, but they still aren’t close to being whole at the position. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Mets should completely replace Young, especially with no good options in free agency available to them this winter. They’re going to need to make a trade for a right-handed first baseman at least and use that player in a righty/lefty platoon with Young next season. That could allow them to allocate more resources elsewhere on other positions that are in need of upgrading or perhaps on a premiere Cy Young-winning free agent.
Remember too that Young isn’t a first baseman by trade. He is mostly an outfielder who was thrown into the fire at first base because things were so bad for the Mets there in the post-Alonso era. It’s worked out well and he’s hit, for sure, but that’s more accidental than expected, to be fair.
In a season with plenty of negatives, the Mets need to find some positives, and Young right now is one of them. Hopefully, next season, he can bring continued stability to first base in whatever role they have for him.
Around the League 🚩
MLB proposed a short free agency window similiar to the NFL and NBA in their latest proposal during CBA negotations (ESPN)
Tampa city officials approved a $2.3 billion deal for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark funded by public and private money (ESPN)
RHP Chris Sale pitched a complete game shutout against the Dodgers to help the Braves finish off the sweep against Los Angeles
Pope Leo XIV was gifted the White Sox Pope Hat that was team gave as a giveaway earlier in the month (ESPN)
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is hopeful he will be able to return in September without a rehab assignment (MLB.com)
The single biggest reason for the fiasco that is 2026 is the substitution of Polanco for Alonso. Now and then a good AAA hitter too old to be considered a prospect will succeed when given a chance and they lucked out with Young.
Shawn is nearly done as he's not effective anymore. I saw that shellacking a mile away too. Alvarez needs a different atmosphere.