So far, 2022 has been a marvelous season for the Mets and their fans. It’s a great feeling knowing that the expectation heading into a game is a win and more often than not, that’s exactly what has happened. But, in somewhat of a surprise, while watching the games, there are still guys I appreciate more than others, for whatever reasons. Today, let’s go thru the guys that my opinion differs from what my gut tells me the average fan feels. Now, since you’re reading this, you’re probably not the average Mets fan. That’s ok – embrace your elevated status!
Anyway, this will take the list from the roster on Mets.com, which is in alphabetical order by position group.
Chris Bassitt – Just find him very frustrating to watch pitch. While recognizing his upside, it would be okay if he ends up being the starting pitcher they let leave in free agency. My gut says most people want to re-sign him.
Carlos Carrasco – Was so excited when the Mets traded for him and then last year was a disaster. Feel like my opinion of him is still higher than others.
Colin Holderman – Remember being impressed with him in Spring Training and he’s pitched great this year. Buck Showalter seems to believe in him and my preference is for him to get even more high-leverage spots, while others want to trade for a late-inning guy.
Seth Lugo – My hope was he could be a multi-inning guy and he no longer seems capable of that on a regular basis. But he still can be a very effective reliever – just needs to be handled in a specific way. Sure, it would be nice to use him whenever. But sometimes you’ve got to work harder to get results and if anyone can do that, it should be Showalter.
Adam Ottavino – He’s more effective than Lugo in different situations yet somehow it seems the average fan remembers the bad outings more with Ottavino than with other relievers. He’s been an asset and can be even more of one going forward.
Joely Rodriguez – Still don’t like the trade that brought him to the Mets but at this point there doesn’t seem much need to get a lefty reliever upgrade. He’s gotten the job done, has been much better against RHB than we had any reason to expect and subsequent relievers have allowed more than average number of his inherited runners to score. It took a little while but Showalter seems to have figured out how to maximize Rodriguez’ value to the team. He’s an asset.
Drew Smith – Seems like fans always had a higher opinion of Smith than me. And now they’re down on him because of all the homers he’s allowed recently. He’s a solid seventh inning guy and that’s exceeded my expectations.
Trevor Williams – Average fan considers him an afterthought. In my view, he’s a fast climber on the charts. He gave the club great production as the team’s eighth starter and he’s been outstanding in the bullpen. As a reliever this year, he has a 1.71 ERA in 21 IP. Somehow, he overpowers guys with low-90s fastballs. It’s impressive to watch.
Patrick Mazeika & Tomas Nido – Yes, sure, they’re both backup catchers and expectations aren’t very high. But it’ll be a good day for me when neither is on the active roster. Mazeika seems destined to be a coach in the system, though.
Pete Alonso – It seems weird to include him on this list. I like Alonso but the average fan loves him. He’s a 3-4 fWAR guy and the feeling among many is that he’s irreplaceable and that seems off to me.
Francisco Lindor – He’s probably the player that it’s the hardest for me to judge how the average fan views him. On top of that, a lot of the potential disgust may stem from his contract. The overall value – if not the shape – is right about where his baseball card suggested. It seems to me that you can tell thru the TV that Lindor cares. And that means something to me and is why, ultimately, my guess is that my opinion of him is higher than average.
Dominic Smith – As a member of the 1% who haven’t given up on him completely, there’s no doubt my view is out of whack with others. And at this point, smart money is on the consensus.
Mark Canha – Others like him way more than me. The overall numbers make it clear that he’s an asset. It’s just that he gives me no confidence when he’s in the batter’s box.
Starling Marte – He’s a better version of Canha and adds additional value with his legs. It’s just somehow my expectations were too high. This is definitely one of those – “it’s not you, it’s me” situations.
Brandon Nimmo – This is the opposite of Alonso. The average fan likes him while my opinion is on a higher plane. It’s going to take a great kick for him to reach the .300/.400/.500 level that was dreamt earlier. But bet against that at your own risk. In his last 101 PA, Nimmo has a .308/.366/.550 slash line. The OBP isn’t at previous levels but he’s been adding more walks here recently, with seven in his last 11 games.
Just got back from 2+ weeks in Nova Scotia enjoying hiking & camping & sightseeing in cooler weather. The only thing I checked on back home were the MLB scores on my phone when I could get internet service. So what had I noticed about them while gone?
1. Sherzer is a stud, glad he’s back.
2. Alonso in a major power funk, glad others have stepped up.
3. Being shutout by Marlins, Reds perplexed me; I guess I expected more from this lineup.
4. Had expected the Braves to have overtaken our Mets by the time I got back…glad to be wrong.
5. Rotation all of a sudden looks fine, an I hope Williams stick around as our long reliever.
Gut Feelings: based on the first half, Bassett, Carrasco and Walker are a good back end of the rotation. 2 of 3 should be signed for 2023 and save a spot for Peterson who has pitched well. Williams should also be signed as a long reliever and spot starter. Rodriguez has some value but they should improve his roster position. He could be valuable for team that is on the cusp of the playoffs. Lefty, experienced and cheap. Nido should get through the season but no guarantees on the playoff roster spot.
Ottavino and Lugo are very good when they are used properly. The Mets should get some help in the bullpen anyway because of Smth’s propensity for gopher balls.
Guillorme and Holderman have really unexpectedly steped up. Diaz is untouchable and a strikeout machine.
Smith, Davis and Escobar have disappointed. Smith and Davis should have a change of scenery. The Mets could use another bat to replace them. Escobar should get diminished playing time especially against RHP.
Marte is a spark plug to the offense and the defense. Canha is a professional batter and is used appropriately. Nimmo is best centerfielder in the NL.
They are a very good team and with some tweats they will get better.
I definitely fall into the Alonso is all but untouchable camp (I mean I guess if the Angels want him for Ohtani I make that move).
Saw this stat from Matthew Brownstein-
players with 130 or more homeruns in their first 4 seasons
Ralph Kiner: 168
Albert Pujols: 160
Eddie Mathews: 153
Mark Teixeira: 140
Joe DiMaggio: 137
Frank Robinson: 134
Pete Alonso: 130
He’ll be top 5 and its not a stretch to think he could end the season 4th on that list.
Diaz needs to be re-signed next season. Same with Walker. And Degrom of course. And Nimmo. Geez, that’s a lot of money.
Not really sold on deGrom, no matter what he does this season. It would be great if he was good enough to give us a great post season rotation. But he’s opting out of his contract after that, so I would go for giving Walker a raise so he also doesn’t opt out.
Diaz and Nimmo for sure should be re-signed.
This is a fun article. The Mets have a ton of pending free agents after this season. Smith and Davis have been a big dud at DH. I would like to see them get Josh Bell and resign him as the DH for next year.
I would let Nimmo walk. I would invest his money plus some for Trea Turner.
I don’t care how good deGrom is when he comes back, at his age and injury history, I would not throw big dollars at him. Not worth the risk. He will break down again.
The Mets have gotten really lucky with Walker, Carrasco and Bassitt. Let’s see how they pitch for the rest of the year.
I like Alonso, but he is really one dimensional. I’d rather have a Keith Hernandez type gold glover at first. If you sign Bell and Turner, I would trade Alonso for a young stud pitcher.
I really like what Holdermann brings to the table. Lugo seems to be nearing the end of his useful shelf life and I would let him walk. Diaz is worth some money but not a big overpay.
The Mets have too many 12 home run guys. I agree with you on Nido and Mazeika. I am looking forward to the arrival of Albarez, Vientos and Baty.
So what do you think of my plan. Do you like Bell and Turner? Could you stomach trading Alonso straight up for a live young arm?
Can you imagine that we are talking about a strong pitcher like Walker as a fifth starter. He is 7-2 with a 2.62 era. I guess we can pitch. Alonso is untouchable – when he was hot they had no choice but to throw more fastballs at Lindor. Thank you says Lindor. We need an impact bat added to lift the team like Cespedes did. We need an upgrade at the DH. SNY was showing Yearbook 2017 and there was Dom talking about establishing himself with the big team. Well it’s 5 years later and clearly time for a change of scenery. He might actually be our best trade chip other than a starter or top prospect. Disappointed in Lugo as we all expected him to be a bit more consistent. You are spot on with Nimmo. We need his contract extended. Looking for a double dip win tomorrow with Walker and Max.
Great list. I agree on most.
Alonso – one dimensional, but that dimension is huge. In a funk now, and at this stage of his career he still flails too much and appears in key situations to press too much. That said, he has rarely had legit coverage in the lineup…that is a must.
Lindor – quality player no doubt, likely gets more scrutiny due to contract (from me too) but that comes with the territory…even a rich teams need proper cost allocation. If #3 hitter doesn’t OPS over .800 and concern the pitcher greatly in key spots, the team is at a deficit. Lindor does neither, and the sample size in NY is now getting pretty big
deGrom – I just love him, his demeanor, his competitiveness, his dominance, etc., but…he switched agents, feels he lost last contract, and will be gunning from every penny. Rumblings of him going to Braves are downright frightening, especially since the Braves seem to sign everyone at a discount, but a massive investment in him at this point is concerning unless Stevie has no limit on the payroll.
Walker – earning himself a fortune this year. If he does not collapse in second half, I would prefer his return over Bassitt
Carrasco – I believe Mets hold option on him for 2023…unless he falls apart from here on out he is a lock to return to provide some stability
Diaz – he’s been unreal but we’ll need to measure him in huge spots before backing up the Brinks truck
Holderman and pen – I’d love another big arm back there, especially a closer-capable guy that would be controllable beyond 2022, but that is likely a pipe dream. They need a bat more
Williams – not a star but an extremely valuable kind of guy. His performance takes some edge out of parting with PCA for a Javy rental
Dom Smith – I’ve always liked him, Alonso’s presence has impact “what might have been”, but now a year without an HR and virtually no production is just too costly.
JD Davis – ditto with Dom…a guy that could perform better on a second tier team that plays him regularly…too limited for a top tier team, and even his weapon as a bat is compromised by being unable to prove he can handle high heat