New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza doesn’t seem to know the answers. With an 8-2, sweep-clinching defeat in Los Angeles, the team sits at 7-12, last place in the National League East. The manager, seemingly frustrated, spoke to The Athletic.
“They’re pissed, frustrated, obviously not happy about it,” Mendoza said. “And I want them to be pissed.”
The Mets have not won a baseball game since April 7, a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Since then, the franchise dropped eight games, scoring twelve runs in that time. Not to mention, the players the team depended on to lead the offense continue to fail. Francisco Lindor, over his last five games, sports a .238 with five strikeouts. Worse, as a leadoff batter, zero walks. Meanwhile, second baseman Marcus Semien, in his last five games, has a .187 average.
Mendoza did not hold back from displaying his frustration with the lineup.
“We’re not dictating at-bats, getting beat by fastballs,” Mendoza said. “Even though there were some good fastballs from Ohtani today, we swung through a lot of them. But in general, we have gotta be able to put pressure. We have to be on the attack mode.”
While losing to Shohei Ohtani is not uncommon, the Mets squandered opportunities when the Dodgers star grooved hittable pitches, only for the offense to foul them off, pop out, or whiff.
GettyMmembers of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating during an 8-2 defeat of the New York Mets.
Can’t Score If You Don’t Get On Base
From an offensive perspective, the team does not like to work the count. For example, Lindor, Bo Bichette, and Jorge Polanco recorded 211 official at-bats, collecting 20 walks in the process. Each batter appears content with taking their hacks as soon as possible. Again, Mendoza voiced his displeasure.
GettyMets shortstop Francisco Lindor is hitting .184 after 19 games.
Brutal Reality Staring the Team in the Face
For years, the media and team officials touted Brett Baty as an indispensable future part of the lineup, a future star. However, with a more pronounced role, the 26-year-old team member continues to disappoint. In 59 at-bats, Baty does not have a single walk to his credit. Baty, from all indications, looks like a bench player, a spot starter. Meanwhile, players like Nick Morabito and AJ Ewing sit in the minors.
Additionally, while Mark Vientos appears ahead of Baty, the bench seems to be his likeliest destination. Granted, the team hired JD Martinez, Vientos enjoyed a slight bump. However, his hitting troubles continue. According to Baseball Savant, Vientos has four hits in 23 at-bats against fastballs.
The “Baby Mets” have not deserved their at-bats, and their elevated prospect status has dissipated. Looking past them into the rest of the farm system becomes important.
Ample Chances for Redemption
Over the next 12 games, the Mets face the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, and Washington Nationals. Nine of those games take place in Queens. For Mendoza, how the team plays in the stretch could ultimately decide if he stays in his current position. His words ring true.
“Guys have got to start playing better,” Mendoza said. “It’s as simple as that. They’re too talented. But right now, we’re not seeing anything on the field.”
Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza Doesn’t Hold Back on Recent Struggles