Though we entered this season with playoff hopes, briefly justified by a scorching start, we now enter this August weekend battling the Marlins for last place. And to be clear, these are not the Marlins of last year who sported the best outfield and one of the most potent lineups in the National League. These are the rebuilding Marlins who traded away most of their lineup last off-season and now carry a roster full of unfamiliar names. Can you name their starting outfield? Derek Deitrich, Brian Anderson and Lewis Brinson (currently injured) have replaced three All-Stars. Meanwhile not one starter in their rotation sports an ERA under 4.00.

By rights, the Mets should be licking their chops at the prospect of sweeping this team on the road this weekend, but a) the Mets are undermanned with half their good players either on the disabled list or playing for another team and b) the pesky Marlins always seems to save their best for us.

How is it that this Marlins team, that unloaded the entire top half of its lineup, is still outscoring the Mets? Catcher J.T. Realmuto is a star, slashing .290/.340/.501 while playing some darn good defense behind the dish as well. Beyond that, they have four other hitters with OPS over .700. The Mets have just four three. The same five Marlins all have OBPs over .330. The Mets have just three two such players. While the Mets lineup and field has been a merry-go-round of players due to injuries, slumps, trades, platoons, and demotions, the Marlins have been more or less trotting out the same group. It helps to know where you’re playing and who’s playing next to you.

Entering this weekend series, the Mets stand just two games ahead of the Marlins. Fourth place stinks, but it sure beats the cellar.

11 comments on “The Mets battle to stay out of the cellar

  • Pete

    It’s just the cellar in the Eastern Division Matt. This team has no identity. It’s inconsistent play and a hopeless merry go round year in and year out. They deserve this outcome. Blow it up. What makes you think next year will be any better?

  • Mike Walczak

    It is really sad that the Marlins dump Stanton, Ozuna and Yelich and the Mets are battling them for last place.

    I agree with your last sentence. What makes you think it will be any better next year. Unless they make some big moves like getting Realmuto, a good CF, and a new bullpen, I don’t think they will compete.

    Look at the A’s. They are competing with a low payroll and now they are going into the last six weeks with a super bullpen.

    This feels like the late 70’s and early 80’s to me.

  • Madman

    Oooh boy! Things are bad. Hopefully a couple of kids come fast, they draft a Star next year and they bite the bullet and trade two or three of the starters and get back, 6-8 young athletic player with maybe 2-3 of them being elite prospects.

  • Brian Joura

    The one thing that can challenge deGrom’s record in day games is Zack Wheeler’s record in Miami. It’s a bigger sample for JDG but Wheeler has a 1.34 ERA and a 0.802 WHIP in five games in Marlins Park. His first game this year was in Miami and he posted 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB and 7 Ks.

    If Wheeler wins his start tonight, the Mets will stay out of the basement regardless of the other two games in the series.

  • b

    ask torre about seaver and koosman : blowing up the team is absurb

  • Madman

    Last year a 90 loss season, this year maybe 100. Maybe blowing it up isn’t such a bad idea!

  • b

    jake , thor and zack are foundation pieces . look up at the torre era . you need starters . this absurd fantasy no pitching , no problem is crazy

  • TexasGusCC

    B is right in that your pitching will lead the way, but they need gloves behind them and a few bats, and the Mets lack in both areas. Alderson left a Strat-O-Matic roster of square pegs going into round holes. The only chance the Mets have next year for being somewhat decent is if Frazier can be defensively solid and hit a little, Lagares can stay healthy and hit a little, Rosario steps up, Bruce plays first and isn’t pathetic, McNeil is ok at 2B, and they trade for Salvatore Perez. All this just to be decent, but I’m not so sure I’d go this route if I had the GM job.

    If it was me, I’d trade whatever starter brings me the best deal and Bruce to free up some roster space while adding some athletic youth. Earlier this year I mentioned trading Bruce for Ian Desmond, if the Rockies would even do it. Still would make that deal and at least get a versatile defensive player for my .230 average. Then, I’d extend Wheeler and find some bullpen help. Lastly, I’d get a Viola to teach all these hard throwing relievers the off speed pitch. If every player steps up their game, they can stay afloat until Cespedes comes back in July, and this team has a chance.

    • TexasGusCC

      Also, if the Royals are unreasonable, I’d just as soon sign Wilson Ramos to a two year deal and move on.

      • MattyMets

        I just hope that whoever is calling the shots this winter understands that defense and speed matter.

  • Chris F

    While we wonder if we should go through a “rebuild” or make a run at “competitive”, its worth noting we are in a race for the bottom with a team doing a rebuild. So, like it or not, we basically are living through all the ugly of a rebuild…while making believe we are competing.

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