The Mets Are Lacking Proven Winners on Offense -

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The New York Mets have a 1 ½ game lead on the Atlanta Braves, a team that has won the division the last four years. The Mets have some great players, and then they have some that don’t fit the team, as it’s currently constructed. The Mets winners are on the pitching staff, but they’re not in the everyday lineup and that’s why they’re shrinking.

Hit or Be Replaced

I can no longer protect Dom Smith, and J.D. Davis isn’t any good either. The Mets need a real option at DH or somebody who can play the outfield part-time and then DH the rest. Both of those guys have been bad this year.

Winning In New York is Hard

Francisco Lindor is a great player. He hasn’t shown that he’s a “winner” so far. The Mets are a team constructed of OPS heroes with nobody who can drive them in. The player with the fourth-highest RBI total on the Mets is third baseman Eduardo Escobar who got hot late, or he’d be worse. He has 37. They are remarkably fifth in baseball, but there are two problems. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves are ahead of them and the injured Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants are next. That’s your playoff path. Through one of those teams most likely.

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Holding a Slim Lead Has Been Difficult

When the Mets score two runs they are 2-13 according to www.baseballreference.com. Now that’s without Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer for a while. This has always been the Mets’ reality except in winning years the pitching held up with that slim lead, and now this bullpen isn’t capable.

The Manager Can Make The Difference

Manager Buck Showalter has created a much better clubhouse. He must learn, especially with the Mets, they are unlike other teams he’s managed, that you can’t have blind faith in underproducing players or players not hitting in the clutch. All that will get him is another second-place finish and Buck has shelves full of those awards.

Trade Deadline Needs

The Mets need a lefty arm in the bullpen. Losing Aaron Loop to the Los Angeles Angels was their biggest loss in the offseason. Could they re-acquire him when the Angels fall out of it? I think they should try. Also, that outfielder type I wrote about—one with power. The Phillies need Bryce Harper back. A starter and a reliever. The Braves don’t need a lot but another solid outfielder is necessary. He has to play left. Adam Duvall won’t cut it full-time. I’ll get to the West in the following article and look out for a Home Run Derby article next. Let’s see if Pete Alonso can win another crown.