The New York Mets’ season can be summed up in one word: Disappointing.
Dead last in the National League East (26-34, 14.0 games back) and the third-worst team in the National League — the San Francisco Giants (23-37) and the Colorado Rockies (23-38) are vying for the worst team — the Mets are trending toward being sellers at the trade deadline when they entered the season looking to buy.
June will show whether or not the Mets will be sellers or if the season is salvageable
Two months into the regular season, the Mets did show signs of life in May. After going 7-19 in April, the Mets finished over .500 in May (16-12) and had rattled off four straight wins (May 27-31) after losing five straight (May 22-26).
June is usually the month teams show whether they will sink or swim. According to MLB.com, last season, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cleveland Guardians were at least 5 1/2 games out of first place to begin June, and all made the playoffs.
The same holds for the Mets and president of baseball operations David Stearns, who may “stand pat” at the August 3 trade deadline.
“President of baseball operations David Stearns will have to decide whether this season is salvageable, though given the Mets’ lofty payroll, it would be a surprise for him not to wait as long as possible to give his team a chance to realize its potential, especially with Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, Francisco Alvarez and Kodai Senga all expected back sometime in June,” wrote MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Feinsand added: “A turnaround could prompt Stearns to be a buyer, though the more likely scenario would be standing pat, allowing the returning players to serve as midseason reinforcements. If the Mets continue to falter and fall further back in the race, they could look to move whatever pieces they can, starting with ace Freddy Peralta, who is headed for free agency after the season.”
The Mets have not received production outside of Freddy Peralta
The Mets made one of the biggest trades in the offseason, acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta (and right-hander Tobias Myers) from the Brewers in exchange for infielder/outfielder Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. In 12 starts since his acquisition, the two-time All-Star has a 3.55 ERA, allowed eight home runs (tied for 49th fewest) and has been a perfect complement to Nolan McLean.
Peralta’s success is only increasing his trade value, which would help jump-start the Mets and get them back on track next season, if this season continues as it has.
Despite Peralta’s success, the Mets have seen little production from players like infielder Bo Bichette, whose struggles have contributed to the team’s poor play. Signing a lucrative contract, three years, $126 million with opt-outs after this season and the 2027 season, Bichette has been one of the worst hitters in baseball.
Through 60 games, the two-time All-Star is batting .216 (25th-worst) with an OPS of .574 (sixth-worst) and has six doubles after having 44 last season. Second baseman Marcus Semien has also been a disappointment (.228/.630).
Injuries have also been a factor in the Mets’ failure
Not only have the Mets seen key players in their lineup not produce, but injuries to other key personnel have played a role. Five regulars sit on the shelf, with shortstop Francisco Lindor still sidelined with a strained left calf, which has kept him out since late April.
Other Mets injuries:
- Catcher Francisco Alvarez: Torn right knee meniscus
- Right-hander Kodai Senga: Lumbar spine inflammation
- Infielder Jorge Polanco: Left Achilles bursitis
- Outfielder Luis Robert Jr.: Lumbar spine disc herniation
Robert Jr.’s injury is the most disappointing, as he, too, was acquired via trade from the Chicago White Sox to lock down center field. Seven years into his big league career, Robert Jr. has proven to be injury-prone, playing 145 games once (2023) and missing a total of 114 possible games the past two seasons due to soft tissue injuries.