3 Mets position players who have let the team down most
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The first half of the New York Mets season has officially ended, and they're sitting in fourth place in the NL East with a disappointing record of 42-48 after their latest loss to the San Diego Padres on Sunday. It's stunning to see the Mets where they're in the standings right now especially since they spent over $500 million during free agency and how this time last year at the half point of the season, they were 58-35 and in first place.
They are in danger of missing the playoffs for the sixth time in their last seven seasons. Blame can go to many from disappointing starting pitching to the inability to not drive in runs in critical spots and players both pitching and hitting not living up to their expectations. But what three players, in particular, who came into this season with hopes of being enormous factors for the Mets have been anything but that and just a major disappointment in the first half of the 2023 Season?
1. Mets DH Daniel Vogelbach has been a disappointment
This may not be a popular opinion considering the fact that Daniel Vogelbach is a fan favorite and he finished the first half strong, but his season overall has been a downright disappointment. The Mets traded for him last July with hopes that he can bring the power that he had over in Pittsburgh with the Pirates to Flushing Queens, but it has translated in a Mets uniform.
As it stands, Vogelbach is only hitting .225 on the season with just five home runs on the season and only 26 RBIs. So it is safe to say he's not playing like the designated hitter he was last season when he hit 18 home runs. His tenure in general as a Met has not been one the team and front office was hoping for as he's never found the same success as he had with the Pirates.
His days with the Mets are numbered and don't be surprised if the Mets either trade him at or near the deadline or designate him for an assignment if they wish to get rid of him sooner. Sorry Daniel Vogelbach fans, he will be gone very soon from the New York Mets.
2. Mets Outfielder Starling Marte has been a disappointment
This is not the same Starling Marte who was an All-Star last season in his first year as a New York Met, what a disappointment. Again, just like Vogelbach, it did seem like Marte was starting to pick things up during the Mets past West Coast trip, but Mets fans especially the one fan who yelled, "Don't swing at everything," have had enough with Marte this season.
He only has had five homers this season and has driven in only 28 runs at the midway point of the season. Sure, he has 23 stolen bases this season which is good for sixth in the National League, but power and hitting wise, it just has not been there for Marte in 2023.
Marte had at least four home runs in three out of the six months he played in 2022 and with him only having five all year thus far. I get that he's not known for hitting a bunch of home runs, but Marte did have 16 home runs in the 118 games he played in 2022 so it is pretty shocking to see his numbers where they're right now. Plus, Marte has been pretty lousy for the Mets in the outfield on defense and his arm is something that the Mets relied on when they paid him $78 million back in 2021. It will be interesting to see if the Mets want to deal him at the deadline considering the fact he still has two more years left on his contract. Hopefully, he will have a much better second half but his season so far in 2023, has been totally different from what we saw last year.
3. Mets Outfielder Mark Canha has been a disappointment
Mark Canha has really not gotten into a groove this season and just like Vogelbach, I think his days as a member of the Mets are numbered. He's just not been playing well at all this season and has seen his playing time dimish due to the strong play of fellow Mets outfielder, Tommy Pham.
Canha has only hit six home runs this season, driven in 26 runs and has batted in the low .240's at .245 for the season. And to make things worse for Canha, he's only gone four for his last 12 in six games played. Plus, Canha has struck out quite a lot so far this season with 44 at the midway point of the season.
We just have not seen Mark Canha break out and go on a hot streak and play at a high level like he did last season for the Mets when he had 13 home runs with a few of them in dramatic situations and 61 RBIs he had. With the Mets by the day looking to be more like sellers than buyers at the trading deadline unless they don't pick things up and pick things up quickly, do not be surprised if Canha is the first player to be moved. There is just no need to keep him on this team anymore if the Mets are not in contention by August and especially since he's in the last year of his current contract.
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