Keith Hernandez's NY Mets jibe was as much about Pete Alonso as it was his replacements

Wednesday’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers was far from the most brutal walk of shame for the New York Mets. Finishing off a road trip 3-3 against two playoffs teams is impressive for a club fighting for brownie points.

In the top of the second inning, in a 0-0 tie, Keith Hernandez reminded every fan how much he has had it. Specifically, he targeted the first base decision.

A combination of pining for Pete Alonso while also maybe offering subtle commentary on the club’s insistence that Mark Vientos could work there, it doesn’t sound like Hernandez is getting over the call to let Alonso walk anytime soon. With a 4 OAA this year for the Baltimore Orioles at the time of Hernandez’s call, the numbers back it up. Among qualified first basemen, only Ty France has rated better at this stat.

The decision to let Pete Alonso walk continues to make Keith Hernandez upset

If anyone can talk about playing first base, it’s Hernandez. His Gold Glove-filled resume and reputation as maybe the best player to ever field the position gives him carte blanche to say whatever he wants on the subject.

Alonso’s range and more so his inability to throw the ball gave him a reputation as a bad defensive first baseman even while scooping the ball at elite levels. For what he offered on offense, any shortcoming he might have had as a defender was easy to overlook. Hernandez seems to agree while also having enough faith Alonso played the position well enough to justify keeping around.

Hernandez has been kind about his comments with Jared Young, crediting him with how he has performed at first base more often than not. Vientos has rarely earned the same compliments. When he is involved in a play, it’s a hold your breath moment.

Whether you believe in stats or the eye test, there’s a clear divide between what Alonso had given the Mets versus Vientos. Vientos at -9 OAA has matched exactly what Alonso did last year and the year prior. Each was his worst defensive season at this metric.

Hernandez’s comments may, in fact, be more about the club’s complete lack of a first base plan altogether. It started with letting Alonso walk. It morphed into Vientos’ inability to play the position. Added in there, yet not to be forgotten, is how the club signed Jorge Polanco with the intent to learn the position. After two games, he hasn’t played another game at the position due to injury and may not for a while more.

A devil-may-care attitude about first despite an emphasis on run prevention, Hernandez both disagrees with the direction the Mets went at the team and appears to have taken it as an insult to his peers. No doubt the Mets dropped the ball with the first base situation. When plays like this can get Hernandez to snap, wait until the Baltimore Orioles visit in September.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow