If you thought Saturday night’s loss was heartbreaking, you’ll have to come up with a new word to describe Sunday’s 4-2 setback.
- After being no-hit for 7.2 innings, the Mets came back with two runs in the ninth inning to tie. Singles by Travis d’Arnaud and Wilmer Flores, along with an error by Giancarlo Stanton, put two runners in scoring position. Asdrubal Cabrera delivered a pinch-hit single to tie the game.
- Looked like the Marlins were going to win the game but two terrific throws, the first by Yoenis Cespedes and the relay by Cabrera, nailed the runner at the plate. But then some nobody hit a two-run homer to send the Mets to their third-straight loss.
- Matt Harvey pitched a solid game and allowed just 1 ER in 6 IP. Josh Smoker and Hansel Robles each pitched in a scoreless inning before Addison Reed lost it in the ninth.
I don’t even know how you wrote the Gut Reaction following the gut punch we all suffered watching that game. While we need to accept that the Marlins are for real and have a lineup and bullpen that doesn’t need a whole lot of starting pitching, they also have a few young arms that can provide just enough to do the job.
We need to accept that the Mets are a Jeckyl and Hyde bunch that gives no warning about what to do expect that day. Theystill cannot manufacture a run, the bullpen has been taxed due to starters not holding up their end and some relievers’ failures, and the team still not bunching their runners. In other words, Anderson needs to find a way to find balance on the offense and figure out how to add a reliable arm in the bullpen. It may not be easy, but it’s his job.
*Alderson…
From the Talking Heads: “same as it ever was”
On 3B:
* We have to consider that Reyes’ off-field troubles, which sound fairly gross, have contributed to his poor performance. That is, beyond the fact that he’s 34, this might be deeper than a slump. Collins needs to play Flores, give him a shot for 3-4 games in a row. My plan is still Cabrera to 3B and Rosario up at Super 2 deadline. They are going to have to cobble it together. I still have to believe that Jose, on a part-time basis, will be much better than this. But again: The decline has been obvious and unsurprising. But the depth of this funk is stunning.
* Here’s an idea: Trade Bruce for a reliever! Oh, wait. I guess that has to wait until July. In the meantime, we needlessly block Conforto.
* Offensively, at this point, the Mets have scored runs near the top of the NL. However, the red flags remain: brutal BA, even worse OBP, and sloooooow. Jay Bruce is the embodiment the Mets offense. At a time when Sandy needed to diversify, he doubled down. Twice. In isolation, Jay Bruce is perfectly fine. I still believe he’d be an asset for many teams. But for the Mets, with Conforto blocked and the pen under-armed, he represents a misuse of resources.
* I know, I’m a broken record. This has been the concern from last season, all winter, all spring, and now when the games matter. It’s still a very good club and Matt Harvey’s performance is very, very encouraging. Fixable problems. No panic.
As much as I agree with you overall, two things stand out to me. First, Flores is a hot mess at 3b. He is terrible and exposes anyone we have at 1B to significant injury because he cannot make the throw to 1B. In 3 chances recently he dragged Duda into an on coming runner on the baseline, and then pulled Rivera in the same direction but the swipe tag was 2 feet off. In the other chance, the ball hit him in the foot and they recorded it as a hit. Second, Alderson could not care less about small ball run manufacturing. He wants walks and HR. I dont like it for every reason youve written above and which has been written about many times here, but it seems its their mathematical concoction for success.
I understand that’s your position on Flores, which I consider a little exaggerated. The hope is that with more regular work, his overall game will stabilize and improve.
Again, I’m trying to get to late June here, and he’s next in line. Rivera is down in AAA, though I don’t think he can field any better — probably worse. The Mets did make it to the WS with Flores at SS. I think he can fill in at 3B. And very possibly hit quite well. There’s Evans too.
Given the team needs in the bullpen, and that Rosario is just about ready, and Cabrera awaits, I don’t see the value of making a big trade for a true 3B. Also, there’s the David Wright cloud hovering over every decision. Fans can say, “Just pretend he doesn’t exist,” but I fear it’s more complicated than that.
I suggest cobbling it together, hoping that Reyes resurrects somewhat, and that a major solution is close at hand.
Oh, I should mention that I’m not arguing for “small ball,” particularly. More OBP and better hitting would be a start. With speed comes improved defense, so yeah, I’d hope to move in that direction, but there are limits to what SA can do at this point in time.
I see the Nats currently at .283/.351/.470 compared to the Mets at .223/.301/.414. And Trea Turner — who I think is a tremendous ballplayer — has been out hurt. This is the team we’re competing against. The runs, which is the only offensive stat that matters, are about the same at this point. However, the indicators are worrisome.
But there’s always the Phillies!
I’m curious – why do you think his off field issue from 2015 might be impacting him today? Or has there been something more recent that I missed?
He’s being sued for child support. There was a big article recently.
Thanks.
Sounds like he was paying $11,500 a month and the child’s mother asked for an amount 3-4X that much. The case has essentially been settled but I guess that doesn’t mean that his wife isn’t still making his life miserable about it.
Here’s a link
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/jose-reyes-dodges-ex-mistress-suit-hike-pay-child-support-article-1.3019503
it was settled and Reyes won.
“But then some nobody hit a two-run homer to send the Mets to their third-straight loss.” Just because you’re upset doesn’t mean that you don’t print the kid’s name? Regardless that he’s a Marlin, it was his 1st major league homerun, at least print J.T. Riddle’s name.
+1
Hi Ellen – thanks for reading and commenting.
This is titled “Gut Reaction,” and it’s supposed to be, well, our immediate response to the game. I mean no disrespect to Mr. Riddle, who’s obviously an extremely talented ballplayer to have reached the majors. If this was a regular article, rather than a Gut Reaction, any writer here at the site would have written out his name.
Hope this clears things up and please continue to read and comment here in the future.
Good response to a valid criticism.
I’d like them to add Rosario at a time that he will be viewed as an addition, not as a Savior.
Jose…TJ….Cheech….Flo—-they do have a talent pool to patch 3rd base without moving lots of parts