The Mets are currently cruising smoothly through the league, but are they playing their best team? While the current lineup has delivered consistent results, some believe there’s still room to elevate the team’s ceiling. Well, MLB insider Jon Heyman has stirred the conversation with his suggestion for a few key changes, targeting three specific positions that could shake up the team’s dynamic.
His proposed tweaks may seem surprising, but they just might be the spark the Mets need to turn a strong season into a championship run.
“At this point, Baty has played so well that I’m of a mind that I would just put him at third base,” Heyman said.
So he started with Brett Baty, potentially replacing Mark Vientos. Well, one of the best surprises for the Mets this season has been how well Brett Baty is playing. He not only got off to a slow start, but lately he’s been on fire. Baty’s OPS is up to .747! And it’s not just his bat, he’s been rock solid defensively at third base, maybe the best he’s ever looked there.
Meanwhile, Mark Vientos hasn’t been nearly as sharp. His OPS sits at .690, and the advanced stats say he’s been one of the worst defensive third basemen in the league. So, now you know why Heyman thinks Vientos is about to lose his spot to Baty.
The next in line: Jesse Winker!
As per Heyman, Starling Marte is projected to take over Winker at the DH. Well, Winker, who was in left field for the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, had to leave early due to discomfort in his right side. So yes, Marte could replace Jesse on the Mets’ roster, in theory. Winker has mostly been serving as a DH and occasional outfielder, while Marte is a right fielder by trade. Hence, if the Mets want more production or athleticism in the outfield or better baserunning, Marte is a natural option.
A guy with 2 HRs and 13 RBIs shouldn’t be a bad option to replace Winker.
“Torrens has been great, he’s been great defensively, and he’s hit better than Alvarez, too.”
Reportedly, Luis Torrens has been the more effective catcher for the Mets, outperforming Francisco Alvarez both at the plate and behind it. This season, Torrens is hitting .272 with a .786 OPS and has been one of the league’s best at throwing out base stealers. In contrast, Alvarez has struggled this season, batting just .243 with a .652 OPS and showing a noticeable drop in power, particularly against fastballs. Guess what, Heyman is thus betting on Torrens.
So, would these changes bring better luck for the Mets? Time will answer.
Mets are more focused on their offense
Currently, the Mets are ranked #12 in terms of total runs scored (239) and #14 in terms of BA (.247). But the major concern is their million-dollar man, which seems like a misfire. Yes, we are talking about Juan Soto.
Juan Soto, the Mets’ high-profile $765 million acquisition, has been experiencing a notable slump. Currently, Soto is batting .224 with a .745 OPS, including 8 home runs and 25 RBIs in 247 plate appearances. In his last seven games, he has gone 2-for-27, indicating a significant drop in performance.
Well, that’s not something you expect from the most expensive player in history.
So, while Heyman suggested a few changes for the Mets, he didn’t mention anything for Soto. That means Soto still has enough backing to splash for the Mets. The season is just 3 months old, and it might be too early to conclude on Soto. The remaining changes suggested by Heyman might bring a positive change to the team.
The Mets are currently leading the division, and hence, they are in a position to take a few risks with their lineup shuffle.
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