Mets Mid-Season Report
The New York Mets struggled to a 40-55 win record through the first half of the season. Despite solid starting pitcher, the bullpen and offense have been inconsistent at best and mediocre for the larger part of the season. A mid season trade to bolster the lineup, call ups from the farm and a shake up in the coaching staff has led to a rough beginning to 2014.
Young pitching led by first time all-star Matt Harvey and ROY candidate Zack Wheeler has kept the team afloat. Harvey led the team with a 2.83 ERA despite only having a 7-8 record. Wheeler has been the most fortunate of the group, leading the team with 13 wins and 133 K. Drew Pomeranz has been trending downward after a solid April and May, but has looked the part of a solid part of the future of the Mets staff. However, both #4 and #5 starters to begin the season are no longer in the rotation (Jeremy Hefner, dropped from the rotation; Dillon Gee, waived from the team). Ballyhooed started Wade Davis has been solid with 4 QS in 6 starts as he seems to have returned to form that made him a trade target of the Mets last season.
The lineup has been hot and cold, and it starts at the top with the lack of a leadoff hitter causing the Mets tons of issues. Ruben Tejada has been hurt most of the season, Daniel Murphy has regressed considerably, and young prospect Wilfredo Tovar has struggled to hit at the ML level despite crushing in Las Vegas for the majority of the season. David Wright has struggled to the tune of a .243 average, however he has been hitting better in July.
The addition of Curtis Granderson in the offseason has not proved fruitful thus far. However, the Mets proved they wanted to be players this season by aggressively purposing Joey Votto. After striking out once, they were able to strike a deal (effectively, a 3 team deal with Cincinnati and Colorado both getting coveted players) to big the big bat to the Big Apple. Like the rest of the offense, Votto has been relatively inconsistent, but his propensity to get on base behind Wright and in front of Lucas Duda, Mike Olt, Travis D’Arnaud & Granderson could be a big reason why the Mets are able to rebound in the second half if they are able to.
Manager Terry Collins appears to be on the hot seat and coaching for his job after a subpar start. Former bench coach Bob Geren was reassigned to hitting coach after Dave Hudgens was let go. Former Met Tim Teufel was brought in to sit next to Terry Collins and is thought to be held in high favor by management.
The Mets farm system has been solid overall, despite the R and short season A teams’ struggles. The A through AAA teams have been good to dominate for most of the season. The stars of the farm thus far have been:
SP Noah Syndergaard — 9-1 record across three levels, looks to be ready to start 2015 in the ML.
SS Wilfredo Tovar — Despite his struggles in the majors, he’s slashing .355/.420/.488 with 8 HR and 22 SB at AAA Las Vegas
If the Mets can hit more consistently and get better bullpen pitching, they can get back in the race and possibly contend for a wildcard spot. If not, they will be bottom dweller again with high hopes for next year, which appears to be the norm for the Amazins’.
