1 NY Mets player the team should trust more, 1 they should trust less

In terms of trust, there’s not much with the New York Mets lineup at the moment. Every starting nine has questions. It doesn’t matter if the more expensive players are where they should logically be in the lineup or not. Carlos Mendoza has turned in some fascinating lineup cards in recent days with Jared Young front and center. In those instances, he didn’t cost them a game and was one of the more productive bats.

Through 17 games, our feelings about many of these Mets players have swayed. Those we trusted at the start no longer have much faith. Ones who might’ve limped out of the gate are now feeling more capable of letting our dogs out while we’re on vacation.

For the Mets, there’s one player they need to trust more and another they absolutely need to start believing in less.

Who the Mets should trust more: Francisco Alvarez

The highest he has hit this year is sixth. At .302/.388/.605 with a team-best 4 home runs but only 4 RBI, it almost seems as if the power has gone somewhat to waste. There’s not much higher he could really go. One more spot up feels significant especially when there are so many others ahead of him who aren’t performing well.

His strikeouts are down early with his walk rate right about where it was last year. He hasn’t been completely free of sloppy at-bats, but they’ve been far fewer. He’s among the best in barrel percentage per plate appearance.

The Mets are hitting so little right now that there’s no obvious solution to getting them going. Alvarez hasn’t been on a legendary tear, but he’s the best they have right now.

Who the Mets should trust less: Mark Vientos

Mark Vientos hasn’t had a hit for the Mets since their last West Coast Trip. Hitless upon his return to Citi Field, the Mets have refused to bury him in the lineup. What looked to be the start to a rebound season has quickly turned ugly with an 0 for 20 stretch over his last six games. That de-escalated quickly.

The Mets clearly have some belief in him or at least a lack of it in others. He hit third on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers as they went up against a lefty. Vientos didn’t do a thing, going 0 for 3 with a punchout.

Nothing about Vientos’ game right now suggests he should be anywhere near the top or middle of the lineup. The entire club looks like fool’s gold who managed to beat up on the down-and-out San Francisco Giants. Don’t look now but those miserable Giants are 6-10 and only a half game worse than our Mets.

Trust will come and go with all players. Vientos gained some briefly and lost it. Alvarez has continued to show he deserves some kind of mobility in the lineup. It’s time the Mets listen.

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