Rising Apple
FanSided

3 Mets players the team has continued to mishandle all year

These three Mets players have been mishandled countless times in 2023.

By Tim Boyle|
May 30, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher David Robertson (30)
May 30, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher David Robertson (30) | John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 3

The mismanagement of players is one thing every fan will notice. We all love to play armchair manager and general manager. We know what the New York Mets should do before getting to the ball field and in the middle of the game.

Throughout the 2023 season, there have been questionable calls in both aspects. The Mets have systematically and continually mishandled several players. It’s these three who stand out most as the ball club continues to mishandle them on the roster and in game action.

1) NY Mets have mishandled David Robertson’s usage out of the bullpen

Has Buck Showalter forgotten how to use David Robertson? The last few weeks have been brutal. It began on June 18 when the Mets didn’t go to Robertson against the St. Louis Cardinals with a day off on Monday. They lost and there wasn’t an opportunity to even use him the next three games as they blew out the Houston Astros then lost the next pair.

This mistake by the skipper has continued throughout the team’s struggles since the calendar turned to June. Even in the most recent series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Showalter decided against bringing him into the game on Saturday fresh from the All-Star break. The Mets lost the game and we can question whether the outcome would’ve been different if their best reliever was on the mound.

Those are just two examples from the last month where we were left questioning Robertson’s usage and there were surely more along the way. The Mets’ entire handling of their bullpen has gone against what they say at times.

In the offseason, they refused to sign veteran relievers due to their lack of options and yet they opened the year with Stephen Nogosek and Tommy Hunter on the roster. Neither had options.

The greater second-guessing comes with the in-game management of the bullpen with the way they’ve handled Robertson looking the worst. At least they quickly shifted to making him the full-time closer instead of sharing duties with Adam Ottavino.

Rest and availability is a big part of how the Mets plan out their relievers and yet in opportunities when Robertson is rested or will receive some the next day, they’ve gone with a weaker option and paid for it.

Watch them double down and NOT trade him at the deadline.

Home/New York Mets News