The 2024 Mets entered the year emphasizing defense and playing a glove-first player in center field in Harrison Bader. They had two outfielders on the bench in DJ Stewart and Tyrone Taylor who were better offensive players. But they were able to get those two playing time by utilizing the DH spot, as J.D. Martinez signed late and wasn’t ready to immediately contribute. Here’s how our three guys did before Martinez joined the club:
Bader – 75 PA, 97 wRC+
Stewart – 55 PA, 140 wRC+
Taylor – 54 PA, 149 wRC+
It was more playing time for Bader than what was ideal. Still, it was a decent amount for the other two. Here’s how our trio did once Martinez was activated on April 26:
Stewart – 30 PA, 121 wRC+
Bader – 30 PA, 77 wRC+
Taylor – 24 PA, 32 wRC+
This feels like a more appropriate distribution of playing time. It would be nice to see Taylor get more at-bats but he hasn’t exactly taken advantage of the ones he’s received the last two weeks.
Carlos Mendoza seems to have adapted to this situation quite nicely. The last two games Bader has started on the bench and come in as a defensive replacement, getting three plate appearances, too. Bader has a noticeably better arm in center field than Nimmo and it gives the Mets a nice alignment with Bader in CF and Nimmo in LF. But even with the hits falling in at an unsustainable rate – he has a .351 BABIP – Bader is an offensive liability, so minimizing his PA is an excellent idea.
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Mendoza has been deft with Bader, Taylor and Stewart.
Nido should get the majority of at bats at catcher. Nido is a better defensive catcher and apparently a better offensive hitter than Narvaez. Too bad that Alvarez is hurt.
Wendle can play 2B, SS 3B and a team needs a utility infielder. Baty’s defense has improved so Wendle losses out. Jose Iglesias has a .818 OPS with 5 HR at Syracuse. Just saying. Too bad Mauricio is hurt.
I guess it seems like it’s Jonah Tong time! Man alive!
He’s in A-ball, just getting a promotion to the higher level. Nice story on him in The Athletic
https://theathletic.com/5478037/2024/05/08/mets-pitching-prospect-jonah-tong/
Gave up an earned run in four innings tonight, with four walks and four strikeouts. His Cyclones ERA is up to 1.00.
NY Post article on this very topic yesterday
https://nypost.com/2024/05/07/sports/harrison-bader-bothered-by-his-reduced-mets-role/
Although I think the headline is a bit misleading. Bader is bothered by reduced playing time the way any competitor at that level would be. But it’s not like he’s bringing that disappointment into the clubhouse. Interestingly, while the lineups are posted the night before, Bader doesn’t look until he gets to the park because he doesn’t want any disappointment about not playing to interfere with his sleep. Mendoza does seem to be a really good communicator with these guys and has been handling the situation well in my opinion.
Lots of pitchers,not to many hitters. Maybe trade a couple of pitchers for a couple of hitters.
The hitting is fine – it’s Citi Field making them look worse – and the pitchers better – than they are.