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3 Mets players who don't deserve blame for the team's horrific 0-4 start
It's difficult to imagine a worse start to the season for the Mets, but these three players have done their part to turn things around
The season is only four games old, but already it hasn't gone according to plan for the New York Mets. Check that, let me rephrase. The season is only four games old, but already it has turned into a dumpster fire on wheels, careening off the highway faster than an Edwin Diaz fastball.
There, that's better.
Things have gone so poorly for the Mets that the best two days of the season thus far have been Opening Day and Tuesday. What do those days have in common? The Mets were scheduled to play but were rained out. You can't lose if you don't play, baby!
The Mets' problems run deep. Kodai Senga still isn't close to returning to the rotation, and Tylor Megill is about to miss time with shoulder soreness after making just one start. Yohan Ramirez and new manager Carlos Mendoza were suspended after Ramirez threw behind Rhys Hoskins in retaliation for (checks notes) sliding into second base in a manner that was deemed legal on the field and after replay, enraging Jeff McNeil. Hoskins went on to single-handedly destroy the Mets, rubbing salt in an already self-inflicted wound.
The Mets have stepped on more rakes than Sideshow Bob, but for all the injuries and embarrassing moments, they're not performing on the field, either. McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, and Francisco Lindor are a combined 3-44 to start the year. Monday's game against the Tigers entered extra innings in a scoreless tie, then the Mets booted the ball around and allowed five runs. Only once in four games have the Mets scored more than one run. That's tough to do!
Not every Met has struggled to start the year, and they deserve credit for doing their part to prevent Mets fans from spiraling into complete depression. Let's recognize the few players that have shown up so far, and let's hope that they rub off on their struggling teammates quickly.
1) Starling Marte looks ready to put the past two injury-riddled years behind him
We have to begin with Starling Marte. The veteran right fielder entered this season as a giant question mark after injuries derailed his 2023 campaign in a big way, but he's looked like his old All-Star self. Marte has hit safely in all four games and has struck out just twice as he's posted a .357 average.
Marte's Opening Day homer was the Mets' lone hit of the afternoon, and if he keeps this up, he should swiftly rise up Carlos Mendoza's lineup card. The veteran has hit fifth three times and sixth once, but his hot start, combined with the struggles of the hitters above him, could see him return to his old spot near the top of the order.
Mets fans have to be pleased to have the old Marte back. All that remains to be seen is if the 35-year-old still has the speed that's made him so dangerous throughout his career, as he's yet to attempt a steal on the year. The struggling Mets lineup has nowhere to go but up, and if Marte can maintain his high level of play, it could soon translate to some wins.
2) Sean Manaea was fantastic in his Mets debut
Sean Manaea would probably not be on the Mets if they were able to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto this offseason. A need for reasonably priced starting pitching in the wake of Yamamoto's signing with the Dodgers led David Stearns to Manaea's door, though, and while he scuffled his way to a 4.44 ERA with the Giant last year, he's looked great since donning the blue and orange (and no, that's not a reference to his new clean-cut look).
Manaea turned in a solid spring, posting a 3.24 ERA in four starts with better than a 5:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, but he was even better in his first regular season appearance. The lefty shut down the undefeated Tigers on Monday, twirling six innings of one-hit, shutout ball behind eight strikeouts and just two walks. He would have been in line for the win if the Mets lineup wasn't so inept right now, and instead had to settle for a no-decision after the Mets lost in extras.
Manaea has been a starter throughout his career, but the Giants brought him out of the bullpen much of last year, as 27 of his 37 appearances came in relief. With the Mets' early injury woes and questionable depth on the back end of the rotation anyway, Manaea should have no problem cementing his spot in the rotation all season, especially if he pitches anywhere close to how he did against the Tigers.
3) Francisco Alvarez is on his way to becoming the face of the franchise
You can feel a changing of the guard coming with the Mets. Pete Alonso's name was thrown around in trade rumors all offseason, and he's currently playing out his contract year without an extension. Brandon Nimmo moved to left field to make room for the defensively superior Harrison Bader, and Jeff McNeil is picking fights instead of getting hits. With Francisco Alvarez behind the plate, Brett Baty locking down the third base job, and the most talented farm system the Mets have had in over a decade, it seems that it's only a matter of time until the kids take over for good.
Alvarez is leading the way. The power-hitting catcher has already become a fan favorite after winning the job last year, and with his titanic blasts and patented winning smile, it's easy to picture this becoming Alvarez's team sooner rather than later.
The 22-year-old has even made great strides learning English in the past year, and he's conducted interviews outside his native tongue with confidence. His play on the field has matched his intangibles, as he's looked like far and away the Mets' best hitter. His three hits against the Brewers on Saturday had a little bit of everything: a home run off of a curveball that he pulled to left to get the Mets on the board in the second, a single up the middle in the third to score a run, and another single that he sliced to right field in the eighth.
Carlos Mendoza has noticed Alvarez's play, as he's moved him up from seventh in the lineup on Opening Day to cleanup in the first game of the Tigers series. Alvarez was also slated to again hit cleanup Tuesday before the game was rained out, so we would assume he'll be there the next time the weather allows the Mets to take the field.
The early returns on this Mets season have not been good, but Marte, Manaea, and Alvarez provide hope that maybe thngs can get turned around. Let's see if their teammates can hold up their end of the bargain.
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