The numbers through four games aren’t great for the Mets.
Not only did they lose everything, but their lineup wasn’t particularly effective, as they were near the bottom of the majors in nearly every important offensive category.
But that’s not what really stood out to hitting coach Eric Chavez.
“I’m not looking at individuals, I’m looking at the organization as a whole,” President Chavez said Monday. “I’m more concerned with the team’s approach, the team’s offense and accumulating good, quality at-bats.”
And while they didn’t fully understand that in the series sweep against Milwaukee, they were hoping to find some answers before Monday’s series opener against Detroit.
“I want more aggression and I want us to attack a little more,” Chavez said. “And to do it collectively, as a group.”
He couldn’t find it in a 5-0 loss in the 10th inning against the Tigers at Citi Field.
After losing the first four games in a row, manager Carlos Mendoza was asked what he was feeling from his team at the plate, and he answered: [the strike zone]. Especially quick passes and kicks out of the zone. There aren’t many empty seats and there isn’t a lot of traffic…too much doing something instead of walking. ”
Chavez said he is trying to fix that.
“I thought Milwaukee was a little more aggressive than us,” Chavez said of the first series. “I always felt they put pressure on us. We may have had a few good innings in that series, but nothing consistent enough.”
That’s what he talked about with his hitters Monday in hopes of a quick turnaround.
He isn’t worried about veteran hitters like Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor, who are 1-for-16, or Jeff McNeil, who is 1-for-12, and insists he wants the offense to simply attack. did.
“Everyone is fine,” Chavez said. “And I told them today that we want to resolve it. That’s what we want to look at from top to bottom,” Chavez said. “From one to nine.”
Chavez was highly praised as the team’s hitting coach two years ago, and was moved to bench coach a year ago.
And while still on the coaching staff, Chavez said he worked hard to separate himself from last season’s offensive line activities and focus on his role at the time.
Now that he’s back as a hitter, sharing hitting coach duties with hitting coach Jeremy Barnes last year, his attitude has changed again.
“It’s a mindset,” Chavez said. “What I talked to them about today is that hitting is a mindset. And we have to be more aggressive. That doesn’t mean being reckless. It’s about hitting the pitches and spots you want. That means looking for it and not missing it. Staying out of the middle, staying behind the fastball, and not getting in front of the off-speed pitch.”
Chavez pointed to the 2022 season when the Mets’ offense was among the best in the league, finishing fourth in hits, fifth in RBIs and sixth in OPS.
“That year, there were guys on base and it felt like something was going on,” Chavez said before the game. “This past series [against Milwaukee], had one good inning in the second game. But when you add up the three games, it’s not that good. We are too good for that. There are some really good pitchers in the league, and we’re really good too. I said, “Let’s compete.” Let’s force it a little. ”
Asked if he felt his message was received, Chavez said, “We’ll see after this series is over. Momentum is huge and it works both ways. We have to build momentum in the other direction.” not.”
