3 best Mets lineup changes Carlos Mendoza is proactively making

2) The Mets moving Starling Marte to second in the lineup was a necessary promotion

Starling Marte has been productive for the Mets thus far. His home run on Opening Day saved them from getting no-hit. Ever since, he has been a lighter contributor but a frequent scorer of runs. He began the year batting fifth and has now found himself regularly hitting in the two spot.

Hitting at the top of the lineup is ideal for Marte. Even if he found himself in the leadoff spot for any reason at all, using his speed on the base paths is necessary for the Mets to get the most from him. This isn’t a team that’ll run a whole lot. Marte is an exception. He stole 24 bases in only 86 games last year while playing hurt and not reaching base a whole lot. Swiping 30 should come easy if health is on his side.

Because Brandon Nimmo hits left-handed and so does Jeff McNeil, Marte was always the ideal number two hitter to avoid consecutive lefties at the top of the order. Nimmo and McNeil can handle themselves against southpaws, but the Mets make it easier late in a game for any of those tough relievers throwing from the left side of the plate to get past them. Marte can help make things a little more difficult on opposing managers.

Marte is a guy who likes to stick to one spot in the lineup whether it’s high, low, or in the middle. The middle has already been taken over by the kids. Marte’s early success now has him hitting second on a regular basis. Frankly, it’s where he belongs as long as the numbers bear out.