I have been a Mets fan for a long time, and the 2019 season goes right up there with 1984, 1997, and 2005 as my favorite Mets seasons where the team did not make the postseason. As 1984 broke a string of losing seasons that extended back to childhood—and it kicked off the most prosperous period in Mets history—it can’t be surpassed in my eyes. But seeing how crappy this 2019 team looked the last time I got out the grading book (as a refresher, they were 40-50 and then lost the first game of the second half to moribund Miami), this season is a revelation. And if Pete Alonso isn’t the slugging version of Dwight Gooden in 1984, I can’t wait to see who’ll top that some day.
I have actual hope for next year. Even in 2016—after letting Daniel Murphy walk after proving he was an All-Star capable of carrying the team when it truly counted—I did not hold out hope the Mets would get back to the World Series. They didn’t.
I am still not sold on the current manager—or the general manager—but I have real hope. Whether or not Yoenis Cespedes comes back at all. There will be others who won’t come back: Wheeler? Syndergaard? Frazier? (That was a joke, the best thing about the Toddfather was an occasional flash of power and his “Fly Me to the Moon” walkup song.) They are stuck with Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano. Let’s hope they can make the best of them and keep that trade from being one of the worst trades in team history—a category already so full, it does not need any recent additions.
Batters have to have at least 50 plate appearances to receive a grade—or they qualified for grades in half number one due to reduced requirements. So that keeps us from handing out grades to the likes of the anemic Aaron Altherr, the trying Travis d’Arnaud, reliable relic Rene Rivera, recycled Ruben Tejada, missing person Jed Lowrie, the pinch-running stylings of Sam Haggerty, and the wizened bench mojo of Rajai Davis (more on him later this week).
As for the pitchers, they need at least 20 innings or had to qualify in the first half. So we won’t hear about pariah Paul Sewald, battling Brad Brach, cranky Chris Mazza, crushable Chris Flexen, lame Jacob Rhame, damnable Daniel Zamora, heinous Hector Santiago, tepid Tim Peterson, Brooks “How’d he get a win?” Pounders, cursed Corey Oswalt, Ryan “What was so bad about Sgt.” O’Rourke?, ditto for Donnie Hart, and the ever-burning question: who the hell is Stephen Nogosek?
Now here’s everyone else in this season of great disappointment and greater joy.
Second-Half 2019 Report Card
1H 2H Final
Pete Alonso A A A Years from now fans will still be talking about his rookie year. The next Mets captain.
Jacob deGrom A- A+ A 7-1 and 1.44 ERA in 2H; led NL in K’s. And that’s with pen giving away his wins. cyGrom redux.
Jeff McNeil A B+ A- Battled injuries and batted 63 points lower in 2H, but 31 of last 61 hits were XBH. Squirrel power!
J.D. Davis B A A-To whomever makes out lineup in 2019: J.D. must play. Dominant at Citi and in 2H. Only 99 starts.
Wilson Ramos B- A- B+ Monster at plate in 2H. Handled Thor situation with class and kept hitting. Batted .307 with RISP.
Seth Lugo D+ A B One reason Callaway should go is how long it took him to see that Lugo was only option to close.
Michael Conforto C B+ B Stats were similar in two halves, except for batting average. Different guy after walkoff vs. Nats.
Amed Rosario C A B Killer 2H showed what he is capable of .319/.351/.453 after break, Defense was far better in 2H.
Zack Wheeler C+ B+ B If you’re going to pay a boatload of dough for a pitcher with a B average, it should be Thor.
Noah Syndergaard C+ B B Yes, his ERA is lower with backup catchers, but he acted like an ass. He should dominate!
Dominic Smith B+ C B Showed he belonged. Best cheerleader in NL despite injury. Epic walkoff HR to end ’19!
Brandon Nimmo D+ B C+ Redeemed lousy start by returning from injury to reach base in 40 of 93 PA. Great attitude!
Robinson Cano F B C Despite injury, Cano much better in 2H. Can’t hit lefties, or bat third.
Todd Frazier C C C Not a fan, but I don’t think he cares. Had 21 HRs, 40 BBs, 12 errors. McNeil can make that up.
Steven Matz C- C C Better in 2H, but LI kid needs Mets more than they need him: 2.31 ERA at Citi; 6.62 elsewhere.
Robert Gsellman D C+ C Was pitching better in 2H. When he got hurt, no safety net in pen. Terrible at Citi; solid on road.
Juan Lagares D C+ C Witnessed both his Citi Field HRs this year—in same game. Better in 2H, but contract done; so’s he.
Tomas Nido C+ D- C- Bat .093 in 2H? You bet Ramos catches everybody. Wilmer nailed higher percentage of runners, too.
Jeurys Familia F D D- Better in 2H, but still not good enough to pitch in meaningful spots other than as experiment.
Edwin Diaz F F F Arguably the worst season ever by a Mets closer; 26 saves proves how bogus save rule is.
Only Appeared in One Half as Met
Justin Wilson B+ Didn’t qualify for 1H due to injury, but Mets surged after his return. Lefty & Lugo only reliable relievers.
Marcus Stroman C+ Patchogue-Medford kid was pretty bad at first, but settled in to be a worthy mid-season pickup.
Jason Vargas C+ Vargas did got 3-1 after All-Star break before trade to Philly.His tough guy act was BS.
Joe Panik C+ Great grab off waivers. Hopewell Junction kid only 28, but no position and arbitration make him ex-Met.
Luis Avilan C+ Like Panik, snagged off waivers. Bad in April, hurt in May, perfect in July, godsend in August So-so in Sept.
Luis Guillorme C Louie, Louie, Louie, Louie—you’re not so bad: .246/.324/.361; hit .300 in 2H and .263 as PH.
Adainy Hechevarria C- Had vendetta against Mets. If he’d done that in NY against another ex-team, might still be a Met.
Carlos Gomez D Nice to see his smile back in Mets uni. Stole 4 bases, hit 3 HRs before falling off OF merry-go-round.
Wilmer Font D- When Mets traded for Font in May, 2019 seemed done. Sold to Jays on 7/17; Mets 43-25 afterward.
Tyler Bashlor D- 0-3 for second straight year. Didn’t qualify in 1H despite logging all 3 L’s. Blowout losses only, please.
Drew Gagnon D- Pitched sparingly in NY after June, but ERA still rose to 8.37—worst of any Met with 10 innings.
Walter Lockett D- His 8.34 ERA nearly topped Gagnon. Came in Plawecki trade. Bombed in finale, Dom saved the day.
Keon Broxton F If Aaron Altherr qualified, he’d be worst position player of 2019, but Mets wasted 53 PA on Keon.
Manager/GM
Mickey Callaway F B C Players respond to him, but overwhelmed in tight moments. Mets don’t make next step with him.
Brodie Van Wagenen F C+D+ Like Callaway, I don’t think he takes Mets to championship. Stop trading for old clients!