Mets All-Star selections during selected good seasons:
1973: 2 All-Stars, won NL pennant
1999: 1 All-Star, won NL Wild Card
2015: 1 All-Star, won NL pennant.
And then we have this disaster of a first half in 2019: a 40-50 record, 15th of 16 NL teams, worst record in the NL in their last 20 games, their last 30 games, on the road, and of course, the worst bullpen.
Yet they have three All-Stars. Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeill, and Jacob deGrom are all more than qualified. It’s the other 22 roster spots that have been problematic. But they have at least hit, and they have pitched the Mets into a position to lead the league in blown saves. Management is killing them. They had a chance to hire a guy from the Rays who makes a contender out of pocket change; instead the Mets hire a GM who keeps trading for the players he oversaw as an agent. There are numerous managers with experience (or at least a clue) sitting and waiting for the phone to ring. If the Mets had fired their manager in May, when it was obvious the team was on the verge of falling apart, they could have salvaged this season. Over the past 30 games games the Mets are playing at the same pace as the Marlins (12-18), who have been the laughingstock of the league. Except when the Mets come to town.
The 2019 Mets Baseball-Reference page says the Mets have a 0.5 percent chance of the postseason and 0.2 percent chance of winning the World Series. So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Sigh. Let’s get to the grades. Shall we? To be included, players must accrue 50 at bats or 15 innings pitched as a Met. This prevents from giving grades to Tampa Bay’s problem Travis d’Arnaud, Luis Guillorme, Aaron Altherr, Chris Flexen, Tyler Bashlor, Luis Avilan, Justin Wilson, Hector Santiago, Walter Lockett, Tim Peterson, Brooks Pounders, Corey Oswalt, Daniel Zamora, Chris Mazza, Jacob Rhame, Ryan O’Rourke, the immortal Paul Sewald, and Rajai Davis (why is Rajai not on team? In seven at bats he showed more life, power, and fun than most of the sorry Mets mess of 2019).
First-Half 2019 Report Card
Pete Alonso A One of the few things the GM did right was let him start the year in the bigs. Oh, he belongs.
Jeff McNeil A One of the many things the GM screwed up was not trusting him as 2B. Squirrel morphing into Murph?
Jacob deGrom A- Has been more inconsistent, but still an All-Star who signed with this mess. Mets fold in his starts.
Dominic Smith B+ Expected nothing and he’s hit .311 with power. Thankfully put him in OF so Alonso doesn’t sit.
J.D. Davis B Best deal GM has made. Now if he’d only trade Frazier so Davis can play. Not Brooks Robinson at 3B.
Wilson Ramos B- Tormentor of Mets in past can really hit for them. Catching the ball has been a little dicey.
Noah Syndergaard C+ He won’t pitch to Ramos, though his 1-0 shutout and HR game was to Ramos Noah knows.
Tomas Nido C+ Everyone wants to pitch to him. He’s finally hitting some. Black hole of catcher looks a bit brighter.
Jason Vargas C+ He has the same grade as Noah. That’s scary. Hopefully can get something in return for crafty lefty.
Zack Wheeler C+ Mets can’t afford to pay deGrom, Noah, and Wheeler. Hope they get something good for him.
Michael Conforto C Very streaky. Gets on base a lot and has learned to play all three OF positions. Is he the future?
Amed Rosario C He has been productive with bat, like death with glove. Cano influence on him has taken toll.
Todd Frazier C Still productive despite clunky swing. You’d think a contender could use him. Holding back J.D. Davis.
Steven Matz C- You would not get much for him in trade now. One day he may yet show what he has. Still unsure.
Adainy Hechevarria C- It’s been weeks since he started. He’s the kind of so-so 2B a lousy team should be playing.
Brandon Nimmo D+ Here comes the army of D’s… Brandon was having a horrific year when injury took him down.
Seth Lugo D+ And here’s the first reliever… Actually has best pen ERA (3.35), but overtaxed by multiple-inning outings.
Robert Gsellman D There is an alternative universe where a qualified manager uses Lugo and Gsellman to good effect.
Carlos Gomez D Almost been back a couple of times and finally returned. And left again. Can’t say we didn’t try.
Juan Lagares D Showed signs of life with bat and then back to same. Maybe a contender needs an outfield caddy.
Wilmer Font D- This guy stinks, starting or relieving. Gives up too many walks, HRs. Somehow ERA is under 5.00.
Drew Gagnon D- Actually has worst bullpen ERA (7.65), but 3-1 record on team that doesn’t win is worth a point.
Edwin Diaz F His 19 saves are a lot for a bad team, but he has killed Mets. Hope will rebound from overuse by M’s.
Jeurys Familia F He has been atrocious. Signing him for three years is only move worse than Cano-Diaz deal.
Keon Broxton F That GM traded prospects for Lagares Lite shows bad judgment. Hitting under .200 with O’s, too.
Robinson Cano F Playing with the urgency of a zombie. Kills lineup in third spot. Bad Robby Alomar imitation.
Manager/GM
Mickey Calloway F How is it possible he is still employed? In-game actions are terrible; post-game reactions are worse.
Brodie Van Wagenen F It seems crazy to fail a GM in his first half on the job. But Brodie broke the mold. And the team.