Struggles for the Mets Amidst Recent Challenges
Not long ago, David Stearns discussed the team’s situation before a game against Atlanta. The Mets were on top of the baseball world, boasting the best record in the league—a solid six-game winning streak and a comfortable 5½ game lead over the Phillies in the NL East.
But now, the Mets president of baseball operations finds himself racing against time, with the team slipping to 1½ games behind Philadelphia. It’s been a tough stretch, as the Mets have struggled for almost two weeks leading up to the match against Atlanta.
The last ten games have brought nothing but losses, and Stearns suggests it’s not about making big changes. Instead, he notes the need for adjustments in the bullpen and hopes to see an uptick from the lower parts of the lineup.
“Our goal is to turn this around quickly,” Stearns remarked. He also acknowledged that tough stretches like these force a reevaluation of the team.
He mentioned it’s not quite time to dip into the trade market, meaning the answers will need to come from within the roster. The Mets are banking on a promising return from Frankie Montas, but they face other hurdles as well.
Some young players haven’t stepped up as anticipated. Francisco Alvarez struggled so much that he was sent to Triple-A, and both Brett Batty and Mark Bientos have yet to make a significant impact at third base.
Younger talent, like Ronnie Mauricio and Louis Sanger Ackna, also hasn’t yet taken the leap forward that the team hoped for.
The Mets are looking to get Vientos back to his previous form after an injury. Jesse Turniker, who has been sidelined for over a month, is also working his way back and is set to start rehab this weekend.
“We’re aiming to get our key players back,” Stearns noted.
But the challenges persist, as showcased in a recent game against Atlanta where several hitters went cold.
“Relying on just a handful of players every night is tough,” he said.
Stearns indicated that he is eager to see how a healthy lineup could perform, especially with the potential addition of Montas and Manaair before the trade deadline.
“That’s definitely part of the plan,” he mentioned.
As pressure mounts, Stearns seems intent on putting this rough patch behind them.
“I’ve seen these types of stretches throughout my career,” he reflected. “Even the best teams go through tough times. It’s all about perspective—this is part of the game.”
