New York Mets Summer Check Up

New York Mets

32-46 (4^th in NL East)

Eye Popping Number

1.69

If it weren’t for Jacob DeGrom, who knows where the New York Mets would be right now? He may have cut his hair over the offseason, but he hasn’t lost his powers. Statistically, DeGrom has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. He leads all pitchers in Wins Above Replacement (4.9) and ERA (1.69). His 1.69 ERA would be the second lowest ERA since Greg Maddux last posted a 1.63 ERA in 1995. The starting rotation was hyped up to begin the season, as the team was finally able to start all five of DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, Matt Harvey, and Zach Wheeler, who came up through the minor leagues together but injuries kept them from playing together in years past. The team traded Harvey after he imploded, Wheeler hasn’t lived up to expectations even though injuries have kept him from reaching them. Matz has been ok, and Syndergaard was put on the disabled list. DeGrom has been the only steady factor of the five.

Biggest Surprise

The Mets began the season with Michael Conforto on the DL, and has had Yoenis Cespedes, Juan Lagares, and Jay Bruce spend significant time on the DL as well throughout the season. The only consistently healthy player in the outfield this year has been Brandon Nimmo. He has definitely made the most of his playing time. The third year outfielder is hitting .276/.395/.557 with an incredible on base plus slugging of .952. He’s gotten on base in a variety of ways this season with 9 doubles, 6 triples, 12 home runs, 28 walks and a league leading 12 time being hit by a pitch. When Cespedes and Bruce come back, healthy, that will be a very potent outfield.  

Player to Watch

Tim Tebow. You know what, there’s no one else to watch so Tim Tebow it is. It’s been a tale of three seasons for Jose Bautista. First, it was the offseason, as no team him a contract until the season was well under way. Then, after the Atlanta Braves finally signed, he struggled mightily, hitting .143 over 12 games, and was quickly released. The Mets, needing warm bodies to just sit in the field as everyone was hurt, picked him up, and he’s playing like his all-star years with Toronto again. He has an incredible 24% walk percentage and 61% of his hits have gone for extra bases. Those percentages have helped him obtain a .902 on base plus slugging. He’s also been versatile, playing four different positons, including some time at second, which he hasn’t played since 2008.

What to Watch for at the Deadline

The Mets are currently listening to offers for both DeGrom and Syndergaard, two of the biggest aces on the market. Both of them still have plenty of team control remaining, and are some of the biggest names in baseball, and are probably two of the three biggest names on the trade market right now. They would have to be blown away to accept a trade offer for either one, because they can restart next season with a healthy line up that should be able to compete. Bautista could be used as bait if he continues his surge since joining the team as well. Asdrubal Cabrera would be a versatile piece that can play any infield positon who has a plus bat as well that could bring a good return. If the Mets, wanted to sell, they could rebuild their farm system in a hurry.

*All stats as of 6/29 via fangraphs.com and baseball-reference.com