Ranking the 5 biggest reasons the NY Mets are off to a pathetic 10-21 start

There’s plenty of blame to go around. On Thursday alone, we can question David Stearns (again), managerial decisions by Carlos Mendoza (pinch hitting and relief pitcher usage), and the players in general for just not living up to expectations.

Forget solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. There’s a new state in the world called pathetic. At 10-21, the Mets are it.

Who or what do we blame? These five reasons are why the Mets are getting too acquainted with the number of tiles on the basement floor.

The 5 reasons the Mets are losing twice as much as they’re winning

5) Injuries

We can’t not blame injuries. Juan Soto missed time. Francisco Lindor is out for who knows how long. The team just added Luis Robert Jr. to the IL. Jorge Polanco wasn’t any good, but a lot of that might’ve had to do with injuries. Aching bodies aren’t an excuse, especially when many of those on the IL had a history of getting hurt. Nevertheless, we can’t discount several of the losses as a reason for how bad things have gotten.

4) A roster of individuals, not a team

There’s no stat to quantify how much this ever matters or doesn’t. The ongoing story about locker room turmoil last year leading to the Mets’ demise might’ve been blown out of proportion. Every missed handshake between Soto and Lindor is scrutinized. Moreover, the issue with this year’s team isn’t the players disliking each other. It’s more of an individual game. Luke Weaver’s quote after Friday’s loss can be read deeply. One takeaway: they’re playing like individuals.

3) The bullpen is doing bullpen things

Speaking of Weaver, the Mets bullpen has been doing typical bullpen things. Their 4.06 ERA is right around the league average. The issue is much deeper. Five blown saves in seven attempts, they’re failing when given the opportunity to be the hero. Several times they’ve given up the big hit that did damage to the starter’s ERA. We can’t just look at one number and let it tell the whole story. Not only was the bullpen built poorly, several of the big investments are limping through the first month.

2) Believing Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Francisco Alvarez were ready to take the next steps with no real backup plan

The Mets bought into Brett Baty being a solution in the corner outfield, first base, and DH. He isn’t. They tried to trade Mark Vientos, but rather than take a lesser deal, they hoped he could help them. He isn’t doing much. Then there’s Francisco Alvarez who has hit nothing but a wall. Still the team’s leader in home runs with 4, he has been in a major slump. Belief in all three of them isn’t working out because the team actually needs one to step up consistently. None have.

1) Buying into a better year from Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and/or Sean Manaea

Less excusable or maybe more was the Mets’ belief Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Sean Manaea were acceptable to keep around. Manaea ended up in the bullpen from the start of the year with Senga and Peterson rounding out an otherwise strong rotation. Of course, none have done well. Senga is conveniently located on the IL. Peterson might get shoved into the bullpen permanently. Manaea has done nothing to fight his way out. There’s nothing wrong with thinking a guy can turn things around. For the Mets, they said “hit me” to the dealer when they already got to 22. He took it literally and smacked them right in the face.

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