Everyone should have the courage to dream, including Mets fans, whose brutal 18-inning loss to the Braves this weekend should have been a good reminder to everyone to take the brakes off a little before calling this team a “console.”
After the Braves won 4-0 in Queens on Saturday, Atlanta won 9-2 on Sunday to take the first two games of the series and extend their recent winning streak to five, but the Mets’ momentum in pursuit of a wild-card berth fizzled.
The results of the two games, which saw Arizona and Pittsburgh tied for the final wild-card spot in the National League, were also a reminder that team president David Stearns and other team executives have an obligation to act quickly as Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline approaches.
If that means strategically returning to the Mets’ apparent offseason plan of moving players on walk-year contracts in exchange for younger players who could make a difference on their next World Series team, the front office should be willing to accept that, even if such a deal would potentially put them at a disadvantage in playoff contention.
With Kodi Senga out on the mound for the first time on Friday with a calf injury that ended his regular season and Christian Scott also struggling with an arm injury, the starting rotation needs reinforcements. The last thing the rotation needs is a trade that would see either Luis Severino or Sean Manaea released for future reinforcements, even if that was the plan when the Mets signed them.
But if the Mets are overwhelmed with offers for either starting pitcher (Severino on a one-year deal, Manaea on a two-year deal with the option for the player to opt out after this season), Stearns would be obligated to make the move.
Of course that’s true. You have to be in to win. Even at 55-50, or 87-75 overall for the season — one game better than Arizona’s 2023 final wild-card record before the Diamondbacks made the World Series — the Mets have a great chance to be in while battling the Braves, Arizona, San Diego, St. Louis and Pittsburgh for a playoff spot.
But the goal isn’t to make the playoffs. The goal is to win the franchise’s third world championship and its first since 1986. For Stearns and owner Steven Cohen, that has become the top priority as the deadline approaches.
The front office has already made three moves in the past three weeks to acquire relievers Phil Mutton and Ryne Stanek and outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker, and the organization is clearly looking to bolster and provide all the help it can.
And that pleased Pete Alonso, who hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, which was the Mets’ only success of the weekend.
“It’s really nice to have some new guys in the mix,” said the first baseman, who smashed his 21st homer of the season into center field after the Braves blasted four homers into the Queens sky. “I think we’ve got some great additions.”
“Who knows what’s going to happen next, but hopefully we can continue to add players and play good baseball. I’m really looking forward to it. Overall, I think additions and wins will be a great combination towards the end of the season.”
Before they all stumbled this weekend, the Mets had rallied to 31-13 by Saturday after falling to 24-35 by June 2. That run was reminiscent of 2015, when the Mets were 52-50 on July 30 before storming to a 31-11 record and a surprise berth in the World Series.
It reminds us of 1973, when the Mets mounted a late 24-9 storm that led to an improbable berth in the World Series in 1973. Maybe it reminds us of 1969, when the Mets pulled off a miracle and finished the season with a 38-11 record.
What are you talking about? It’s a miracle this team even makes it to the series, much less win it? Yes, you read that right. The rotation features Severino, Manaea, Tyler Megill, Jose Quintana and David Peterson. Peterson pitched well in four of his five innings Sunday, but then collapsed, giving up four runs on three hits, three walks and two wild pitches in the fourth inning.
The left-hander threw 48 pitches in the first, second, third and fifth innings — 40 pitches to complete the fourth inning — and the Mets will be counting on him to make the postseason, unless they can add another starter by Tuesday.
There are a lot of expectations within the organization. But management hasn’t promised lollipops and rainbows this fall. Quite the opposite. Still, the Mets are positioned to make a serious playoff run. They’ll be grateful for the support from the front office.
But if today’s moves jeopardize their path to the World Series, then they should stop. Now is not the time to be short-sighted. The higher-ups must keep their eye on the ultimate prize.
