Carlos Mendoza expressed his commitment to giving Sterling Marte opportunities to play, even though the outfielders had been underperforming ahead of Sunday night’s matchup.
Marte started the game as the designated hitter against the left-handed Max Fried from the Yankees, finishing with two hits, a strikeout, and a double.
“I’ll keep giving him a chance,” Mendoza stated before the Mets’ 8-2 loss. “He’s an elite player in this game.” However, as the manager noted, Marte has not been playing regularly.
“When you’re used to being in the lineup every day, and then you have to sit out, well, that’s a tough adjustment,” Mendoza added. “And you’re up against a really solid pitcher too.”
Interestingly, Mendoza mentioned that some promising stats are still showing at Marte’s age, 36.
“The ball keeps coming off the bat strong, the bat speed is still there,” he remarked. “I believe he’ll turn it around soon.”
Yet, even with Mendoza’s optimism, Marte’s average exit velocity has declined, putting him below his usual performance metrics on left-handed pitchers.
This year marks the final season of his four-year, $78 million contract, and the Mets had explored trade options for him during the off-season.
Understandably, there wasn’t much interest in Marte, considering his injury struggles and declining performance.
With Jeff McNeil back in action, he’s been effective in the outfield, particularly playing center against right-handers over the weekend.
As for Marte, Mendoza noted that finding regular playing time for him is becoming increasingly challenging. “He’s a talented player. We need him healthy to achieve our goals. It’s important to keep him in the lineup,” he clarified.
Unfortunately, the results simply haven’t been there for Marte.
His performance has notably dipped across various pitch types compared to earlier in his career. He’s had limited action this season, having dealt with a bone bruise in his right knee last year, which impacted his playing time.
Without Marte in the mix, Brandon Nimmo has been reliable in left field, while Juan Soto regularly holds down the right and center positions, showcasing solid defensive skills.
It seems Marte’s value to the team is diminishing, especially since he’s been struggling against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers, in contrast to how he’s performed in the past.
