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Mets Up: What Can Buck Do Down The Stretch?

July 24, 2023

Everything that you think is solid is actually fleeting and ephemeral.

Joyce Carol Oates in The New York Times Magazine

The author Oates is referring to conversations with her husband in an article in the New York Times, a publication that used to have an actual sports section. But now that thought is fleeting, just like the idea of the Mets getting out of the first inning without having to play from behind. Ephemeral emotions can inflict Mets fans into the idea of the Mets making the playoffs in 2023, but it’s just not solid.

Tommy Pham’s 2023 numbers have been solid. He’s recently been out of the lineup, but is easily the most obvious trade chip for a struggling offensive team with little quality pitching. BaseballSavant lists Pham’s 93.2 exit velocity as a career best and his 48.5 Hard Hit% is 10 points higher than the MLB average.

Carlos Carrasco hasn’t pitched to the MLB average and his 8-inning gem against Arizona on July 6 was the exception, not the new rule. On Sunday night against Boston, he was unable to avoid the opposition’s bats as they piled up seven straight hits in the 3rd inning. It ended his evening and while fans may want to see someone else fill this rotation spot, there’s no one in Syracuse worthy.

The Mets faithful long ago decided that Mark Vientos’ success at Triple-AAA should have earned him a Major League roster spot, but no one mentions what position he would play. It was decided long ago that the 23-year old can only play 1B at a high level. That defensive inability results in a lack of at bats. He’ll be on the bench for the rest of the season, getting the occasional start and the occasional big hit, like part of the late rally Saturday night at Fenway.

So with the season quickly coming to an end, Buck Showalter has roughly eight weeks to show everyone why he’s regaled as a great manager. The herald started with his success with the young Yankees that became the core of their late-90s championship run. The Mets late-season roster will likely include four rookies with two already playing everyday. Is there a way to quantify teaching Brett Baty to play better defense on hard ground balls? Once the August 1 deadline is past, Ronny Mauricio is likely to join the big club. How will Showalter ensure the talented 22-year old stays engaged and active if he’s not playing every day?

I’m not in the locker room and practice fields, so I can’t qualify how revered the Captain status adorned by Francisco Lindor is taken by his teammates. He bought personalized robes for players back in Cleveland and still owes Jeff McNeil a car, but how will he assist Mauricio and Vientos as fellow infielders and is the shortstop instructing Showalter’s vision or his own? Meanwhile, there’s still a young core of players that need guidance. The utility batting champion is anything but through four months; how do you keep the visual combustion that is McNeil contained through his worst season as a pro?

Justin Verlander has pitched like a pro, one who missed the early part of the year. When it’s all said and done, I’m hoping he’s still in a Mets uniform next year and that’s the truth.

Upcoming Series: New York Mets at New York Yankees

Tuesday, July 25 - 7:05 pm

Justin Verlander (4-5, 3.47 ERA) vs. German (5-6, 4.52 ERA)

Wednesday, July 26 - 7:05 pm

Jose Quintana (0-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Carlos Rodon (0-3, 7.36 ERA)