Pick one player who best represents this collapse.
My choice is Brett Baty.
He’s already had chances, already been sent down, already “adjusted,” and even in his better stretch last year you were basically getting a 1-for-4 hitter. That’s not enough from someone you’re counting on. Now he’s regressed again, right in the middle of an 11-game losing streak where the offense can barely score .
A rookie like Benge looking overmatched is one thing—you expect that. But Baty isn’t supposed to be learning on the job anymore. He’s supposed to be part of the core, and instead he’s blending in with the same lifeless at-bats as everyone else.
Send him down? Maybe they can’t. Maybe Benge goes first. But that almost makes it worse—because Baty stays not on merit, but because there’s nowhere else to turn.
At some point, potential has to turn into production. Right now, it hasn’t.
Yes, the hitting is awful. How many batting coaches do they have? What exactly have they been doing? And what about that pitch by Williams to Conforto?—a nothing pitch right down the middle of the plate. And what was wrong with a Manaea for Christian Walker trade this off season (instead of signing Polanco)?
I do have my doubts about Baty. He shouldn’t be playing RF and first base, and needs to be sent to AAA (like Alvarez was last year).
The team started well last season, went into a dive they never got out of, and missed the playoffs by a game (the dream run that fell short the year before turned on a game too, but that team had life). They got rid of a good pitching and baserunning coach.
They patched together a team that is clearly not clicking. They left in a flawed starting rotation, adding a starter who is lucky to go six. He's fine, I guess, if their starting rotation was better.
It isn't all Mendoza's fault, but I don't think he has NOTHING to do with it. Anyway, if you are going to change the team, why change so much, and leave the manager and such a flawed starting rotation mostly in place? Go all the way!
I commented before that the Mets aren't the only team that is supposed to be playoff caliber that is not having a good April. Other teams have bad records. Small comfort to Mets fans.
David Stearns does not get enough credit for the wisdom of jettisoning almost the entire coaching staff (with Richardson choosing not to stay after Stearns dispatched everyone else). Yet they kept the manager. Pure brilliance.
Something overlooked here and I believe needs to happen is a rebuild. It’ll mean next year sucks and look to be competitive in 2028. You have a lot of guys you can trade and get a great return for. Peralta for one. Every player but Lindor and Soto have short term contracts. We have some position players FINALLY coming through the organization that might be good major leaguers. There are also a stable of arms knocking at the door too. The problem with this organization is that it doesn’t produce major league position players. Baty and Vientos are AAAA players and not MLB players. Mauricio needs solid time to see what they really have with him. Benge isn’t ready and I’ve heard he changed his batting swing summer which is hurting him here. What could be brought back in trades and what the Mets possibly have in the minors plus what you add would make this a possibly great team by 2028. The Dodgers are aging but will dominate for a few more years. Philly is getting old. Atlanta too. If the Mets seriously tear it down and do a tear down looking towards 2028. I think the fans will be on board as it hasn’t been done since the 90’s. Soto has to agree of course but with the lockout looming? This is the time to do it and look towards the future because the patchwork isn’t getting it done. Even if Skubal came here and Peralta got signed long term. Pitching is great but you also have to score runs and this team doesn’t do that. Stearns has wanted to do this which is almost what I think he has done with no long term contracts. He can move just about anyone if things went south. It has.
The worst--and shocking--feeling is that the season is over and it's April 20. It's as if the team's been infected with a virulent pathogen and it's gone to the lungs, liver, and brain. I stopped listening when it went to the home 9th, thinking I'd jinx them, but it didn't help.
David Stearns is the architect of this unmitigated disaster. He's the one who needs to go. Losing Antoan Richardson, as you pointed out, was one of the most egregious mistakes they made in the offseason, and they made plenty of them
A true playoff contender cannot lose 11 consecutive games (maybe more?) regardless of when in the season the streak occurs. It's completely unacceptable.
Not that I'm disagreeing with anything mentioned, but I guess its the eternal Mets sucker, optimist in me that won't allow me to give up just yet. For God's sake tulips are barely blooming. However, I will give in and say come Mother's Day if there isn't a major swing in wins, it would be time for a complete cleansing. From the very top, Sterns, to the ball boy. 2027 will most likely be a throw away year for baseball. Focus on 2028 and allow Benge and other AAA and AA players learn on the job. At least it will be fun to watch the kids play.
@Michael Baron. Thank you. This is 100% true. I’ve said this, unless the Mets go on a major heater, Stearns is gone. We have NO competent left handed starter, and Senga is lost. That’s THREE starters who are well below average. That means the other three have to be prime Seaver, Gooden, and Greg Maddox. NOBODY can win with that thinking, especially with the rest of the roster is as it’s presently constructed.
Coach and players cover for each other. So no one is responsible, no one is to blame? Perhaps the fault lies with us for accepting one disappointment after another without strongly protesting.
Totally agree. The problems start with the roster construction.
Pick one player who best represents this collapse.
My choice is Brett Baty.
He’s already had chances, already been sent down, already “adjusted,” and even in his better stretch last year you were basically getting a 1-for-4 hitter. That’s not enough from someone you’re counting on. Now he’s regressed again, right in the middle of an 11-game losing streak where the offense can barely score .
A rookie like Benge looking overmatched is one thing—you expect that. But Baty isn’t supposed to be learning on the job anymore. He’s supposed to be part of the core, and instead he’s blending in with the same lifeless at-bats as everyone else.
Send him down? Maybe they can’t. Maybe Benge goes first. But that almost makes it worse—because Baty stays not on merit, but because there’s nowhere else to turn.
At some point, potential has to turn into production. Right now, it hasn’t.
Yes, the hitting is awful. How many batting coaches do they have? What exactly have they been doing? And what about that pitch by Williams to Conforto?—a nothing pitch right down the middle of the plate. And what was wrong with a Manaea for Christian Walker trade this off season (instead of signing Polanco)?
I do have my doubts about Baty. He shouldn’t be playing RF and first base, and needs to be sent to AAA (like Alvarez was last year).
At this point, I'd rather lose with rookies so they gain experience and can be evaluated.
The team started well last season, went into a dive they never got out of, and missed the playoffs by a game (the dream run that fell short the year before turned on a game too, but that team had life). They got rid of a good pitching and baserunning coach.
They patched together a team that is clearly not clicking. They left in a flawed starting rotation, adding a starter who is lucky to go six. He's fine, I guess, if their starting rotation was better.
It isn't all Mendoza's fault, but I don't think he has NOTHING to do with it. Anyway, if you are going to change the team, why change so much, and leave the manager and such a flawed starting rotation mostly in place? Go all the way!
I commented before that the Mets aren't the only team that is supposed to be playoff caliber that is not having a good April. Other teams have bad records. Small comfort to Mets fans.
David Stearns does not get enough credit for the wisdom of jettisoning almost the entire coaching staff (with Richardson choosing not to stay after Stearns dispatched everyone else). Yet they kept the manager. Pure brilliance.
You stink until you don’t..you’re good until….forget that. They just stink
Love the newsletter but I think you rush it out and could use some editing. Conforto didn’t plate PCA. Also, missing the word “to” in that sentence.
Something overlooked here and I believe needs to happen is a rebuild. It’ll mean next year sucks and look to be competitive in 2028. You have a lot of guys you can trade and get a great return for. Peralta for one. Every player but Lindor and Soto have short term contracts. We have some position players FINALLY coming through the organization that might be good major leaguers. There are also a stable of arms knocking at the door too. The problem with this organization is that it doesn’t produce major league position players. Baty and Vientos are AAAA players and not MLB players. Mauricio needs solid time to see what they really have with him. Benge isn’t ready and I’ve heard he changed his batting swing summer which is hurting him here. What could be brought back in trades and what the Mets possibly have in the minors plus what you add would make this a possibly great team by 2028. The Dodgers are aging but will dominate for a few more years. Philly is getting old. Atlanta too. If the Mets seriously tear it down and do a tear down looking towards 2028. I think the fans will be on board as it hasn’t been done since the 90’s. Soto has to agree of course but with the lockout looming? This is the time to do it and look towards the future because the patchwork isn’t getting it done. Even if Skubal came here and Peralta got signed long term. Pitching is great but you also have to score runs and this team doesn’t do that. Stearns has wanted to do this which is almost what I think he has done with no long term contracts. He can move just about anyone if things went south. It has.
The worst--and shocking--feeling is that the season is over and it's April 20. It's as if the team's been infected with a virulent pathogen and it's gone to the lungs, liver, and brain. I stopped listening when it went to the home 9th, thinking I'd jinx them, but it didn't help.
David Stearns is the architect of this unmitigated disaster. He's the one who needs to go. Losing Antoan Richardson, as you pointed out, was one of the most egregious mistakes they made in the offseason, and they made plenty of them
A true playoff contender cannot lose 11 consecutive games (maybe more?) regardless of when in the season the streak occurs. It's completely unacceptable.
Not that I'm disagreeing with anything mentioned, but I guess its the eternal Mets sucker, optimist in me that won't allow me to give up just yet. For God's sake tulips are barely blooming. However, I will give in and say come Mother's Day if there isn't a major swing in wins, it would be time for a complete cleansing. From the very top, Sterns, to the ball boy. 2027 will most likely be a throw away year for baseball. Focus on 2028 and allow Benge and other AAA and AA players learn on the job. At least it will be fun to watch the kids play.
30th in OPS is bad.
@Michael Baron. Thank you. This is 100% true. I’ve said this, unless the Mets go on a major heater, Stearns is gone. We have NO competent left handed starter, and Senga is lost. That’s THREE starters who are well below average. That means the other three have to be prime Seaver, Gooden, and Greg Maddox. NOBODY can win with that thinking, especially with the rest of the roster is as it’s presently constructed.
Coach and players cover for each other. So no one is responsible, no one is to blame? Perhaps the fault lies with us for accepting one disappointment after another without strongly protesting.