Mets’ Early Struggles Raise Questions After Roster Changes

David Stearns made a substantial effort to reorganize the Mets’ roster during the offseason. However, executives might find themselves second-guessing their decisions, especially after the team faced a 12-game losing streak just two weeks into the season.

Despite the challenges, Stearns expressed his confidence in the roster he’s assembled as the president of baseball operations. He mentioned, “It’s hard to say that two weeks, even two weeks where we don’t win, will dramatically change our perspective,” before the Mets’ series opener against the Rockies at Citi Field.

Stearns emphasized, “I still think we’re a good team.” He recognized past struggles, noting “there were occasions we didn’t play well, and it cost us.” He still believes they’ll eventually show their true potential.

However, so far, that promise hasn’t translated into results. The offense has been lackluster, aside from a 10-run game in Thursday’s win. Yet even that victory nearly slipped away due to inconsistent bullpen performance, which Stearns described as “inconsistent.” There have been strange combinations in the rotation and issues with pitcher Devin Williams.

Other than Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes, the starting rotation hasn’t felt stable. The defense, a major focus during the offseason, has shown moments of both promise and difficulty.

Heading into Friday, the Mets held a record of 9-16.

When asked about improving goal prevention, Stearns noted mixed results. “Base running prevention relies heavily on pitching and defense,” he said, adding there have been flashes of good performance as well as some less favorable moments. This inconsistency has contributed to the team’s current record.

While Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien have shown improvement at the plate, the Mets are still struggling for runs, with only the Giants scoring fewer. Moreover, the lineup appears challenged against hard fastballs.

Stearns pointed out that some hitters who typically underperform against high velocity have had better success historically, and he remains hopeful that this trend will continue. Still, the challenges remain for the Mets, especially with key players like Juan Soto recovering from a calf strain, while star Lindor is out indefinitely with a similar issue.

Stearns described the recent losing streak as “frustrating,” stating, “No one likes to lose, and losing every day for two weeks isn’t pleasant.” He acknowledged the length of the season and the need to navigate these tough times.

Consequently, he doesn’t dwell on what went wrong in team construction. “I’m not going to make drastic evaluations based on two weeks. The season is long; overcoming a 12-game losing streak isn’t typical, especially this early.” He remains hopeful that things will turn around soon.