1 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: Tim Britton is a senior writer at The Athletic covering 2 00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: the New York Mets. Welcome back to the show, Tim, 3 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:12,399 Speaker 1: How you doing, And I'll start the way I promised 4 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: everyone else I would start. 5 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 2: Are the Mets? Okay? They're okay for now. 6 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:21,640 Speaker 3: I guess it's been a rough almost two months now 7 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:22,320 Speaker 3: for the Mets. 8 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 2: So I'm doing better than the Mets right now. 9 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 3: Personally, probably I'm doing you know, it's the season really 10 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 3: pivoted for them in the middle of June, and it's 11 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 3: you know, they seem. 12 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:33,840 Speaker 2: Like they were right in the ship for a little 13 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 2: bit there toward. 14 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 3: The end of July, and then they went in San Diego, 15 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 3: got swept, came home, got swept, and I lost eight 16 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:42,559 Speaker 3: of nine now, so it's been just a rough go 17 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 3: of it for a team that just hasn't shown any 18 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 3: kind of consistency and it doesn't really look like the 19 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:48,480 Speaker 3: team they were the first two and a half months 20 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 3: of the year over the last two months. 21 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 4: Kam, I'm going to come out hot here and I 22 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 4: apologize ahead of time, but I'm going to do it anyways. 23 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 4: Having been in that clubhouse for two years and I 24 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 4: know how this question it's get brought up quite often, 25 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 4: but there's been people saying the team has no heart. 26 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:10,959 Speaker 4: Is there any veracity of this statement or is this 27 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 4: just a classic We got to ask that question every 28 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 4: year when things aren't going well. 29 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:18,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I think like that comes up. I 30 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 3: think more and more when a team struggles offensively the 31 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 3: way the Mets have. Like if you go out there 32 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 3: and you lose a game thirteen to eleven, no one 33 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:27,119 Speaker 3: really questions your heart because you were in it. If 34 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 3: you lose two to nothing, if you go into a 35 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:31,200 Speaker 3: ninth inning like they did on Wednesday being no hit 36 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 3: by Gavin Williams, like then it really looks like you're flat, 37 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 3: like you're not trying, like you don't have any heart. So, 38 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 3: you know, having been covering the Mets for a while 39 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 3: when they've gone through different offensive slumps, that is the 40 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 3: number one thing that fans bring up. I don't think 41 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 3: that's an issue. I mean, this is largely the same 42 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 3: clubhouse that showed a lot of heart in the way 43 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:49,840 Speaker 3: they came back last season with the final four months 44 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 3: of the year. You know, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Neimo 45 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 3: I think have the pulse of that room pretty well 46 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 3: at this point, you know, Peter A. 47 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 2: Lonzo is a guy who's been there for a while. 48 00:01:57,120 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 2: Jeff mcfeil. These are not guys who kind of roll over. 49 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 3: When things get tough, at least not anymore the way 50 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 3: they did maybe back in twenty one went when things 51 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 3: really went south of them in August. But since then 52 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 3: they've shown a little bit more resolve in that regard, 53 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:13,480 Speaker 3: especially last year. So I don't think it's a heart issue. 54 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 3: I think it's just really no phase of the game 55 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 3: where they're playing well for six to eight weeks. 56 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 2: Now. 57 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 1: The thing that stands out to me, first of all 58 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 1: is that the team's pretty healthy, which is always great, right. 59 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,239 Speaker 1: The teams in a good spot compared to most other teams. 60 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: I mean, look at the Atlanta Braves for example, right, 61 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 1: they're missing their whole rotation, they're missing a lot of bats, 62 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 1: all that. Right, So with the Mets, I'm wondering, when 63 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,919 Speaker 1: you see a multiple superstar struggle at the same time, 64 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:40,519 Speaker 1: if there's some approach, some strategy from teams that you're 65 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 1: seeing frequently. Last year, what stood out to me with 66 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 1: the Texas Rangers after they won a World Series is 67 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: how teams were beating them with heaters, high heaters, they 68 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:50,840 Speaker 1: just like couldn't as a team hit them. There might 69 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: have been one or two guys, but for the most 70 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 1: part that was the mo for the Rangers, and their 71 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 1: offense fell apart after winning a World Series. 72 00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: Are you seeing any trends. 73 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:01,679 Speaker 1: Like that where team are taking advantage of a weakness 74 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 1: With the Mets, So, the two. 75 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:05,959 Speaker 3: Things that stand out one, I think there last I 76 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 3: checked out a week ago, they were like twenty eighth 77 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 3: in the league against slaggers. That's a tough pitch to 78 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 3: struggle against at this level. That's pitch you see an 79 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 3: awful lot of. And then the other one is against 80 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 3: left handed pitching. You know, we've seen this kind of 81 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 3: across the game this year that the right handers have 82 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 3: not had the kind of success they're used to having 83 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 3: against left handed pitching. For the Mets, that's really been 84 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:27,519 Speaker 3: born out with Francisco Lindoor and Pete Alonzo having pretty 85 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,639 Speaker 3: terrible years against lefties. The Mets lefties have been better 86 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 3: against left handed pitching than the right's have been, and 87 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:34,639 Speaker 3: so we've seen a lot of you know, the top 88 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 3: part of the Mets order, which is you know, some 89 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 3: combination of the door Nimo Soto and Alonso. We're seeing 90 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 3: a lot of teams go to their lefty reliever to 91 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 3: handle that part of the order or have a a 92 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 3: left handed starter go through that a third time through 93 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 3: the order because they believe that that part of the 94 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 3: order is more vulnerable to lefties than it should be theoretically. 95 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 3: So I haven't looked up their exact record against lefties, 96 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 3: but I know it's significantly worse than the record against righty's, 97 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 3: so that that's been an area where they've really struggled 98 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 3: of late, and against the sliders as well, which plays 99 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 3: it at that. 100 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:06,960 Speaker 4: At the same time, you mentioned Pete Alonzo, who you know, 101 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 4: after coming on this one year deal and really putting 102 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 4: up numbers some of his best months ever in the 103 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 4: first half, then went into July and had statistically, I think, 104 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 4: if not the worst year he's ever had the hitting wise, 105 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 4: but one of the worst months. So in terms of 106 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 4: him specifically, what and he is struggling with lefties? You 107 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 4: mentioned that, But what's what specifically is is he do 108 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 4: we think is happening with him and his bad is 109 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 4: he between pitches? Is he not seeing something? 110 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 2: Well? 111 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:38,599 Speaker 4: What do you see out of Pete? 112 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think he said this last week, but kind 113 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 3: of when he's in a slop the way he was 114 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 3: in the month of July. You can tell at the 115 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 3: way he chases pitches down in the way, the slider mainly, 116 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 3: you know, like he feels better if if his chase 117 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:52,600 Speaker 3: is up in the zone and he's missing fastballs up, 118 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 3: he's okay with that. He feels like he's going to 119 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 3: get to that pitch eventually, he's going to have better 120 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 3: discernment on it. 121 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 2: When he's chasing the sliders, that's when he's out of whack. 122 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 3: And we saw that in July, right, I think the 123 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,160 Speaker 3: ops was like five forty eight or something like that 124 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 3: the month of July, a far cry from where he 125 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:09,039 Speaker 3: was in April and May in particular. And so you know, 126 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 3: like the Mets order iss the entire team is built 127 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 3: on that top four in the order being as good 128 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 3: as any in baseball. And while the indoor Alonso and 129 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 3: Soto have had good individual months, Nimo has been good 130 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 3: in stretches, there's really been no point this season when 131 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 3: they've all clicked, and there have been a lot more 132 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,359 Speaker 3: points where none of them have, like like most recently, 133 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 3: So you know that's the part of the order that's 134 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 3: supposed carry the team that's supposed to go to overcome 135 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 3: the weaknesses they have elsewhere on the roster, and it 136 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 3: just has not worked out that way really at any 137 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 3: point this season. 138 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 1: Well it's okay, I mean, you just need a dose 139 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: of medicine over the weekend against Oh wait, it's the 140 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: best record in baseball that they're facing the Milwaukee Brewers, 141 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 1: right I just keep thinking about the Blue Jays getting 142 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: a little slumpy and then they destroy the Rockies over 143 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 1: the last several days. The Mets will not have that 144 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:58,280 Speaker 1: luxury they're in Milwaukee, although good times last time they 145 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 1: were in Milwaukee with the wild Card game Game three, 146 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 1: Pie Alonzo, the big home er off Devin Williams, who 147 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: is now a Yankee. Do you think a series like 148 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:09,279 Speaker 1: this can spark them in a positive end because they're 149 00:06:09,279 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: going to be playing against the top team right now 150 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 1: record wise, and just some top level competition. I mean, 151 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: the last couple series they're taking on what the Guardians 152 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 1: and the Giants both okay teams, but the Brewers are 153 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: the cream of the crop right now. 154 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:24,880 Speaker 3: I mean, you would sure hope that if it is 155 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,840 Speaker 3: a motivation issue, that they'd be getting up for this series. 156 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 3: The team they played in the playoffs last year, a 157 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 3: team that you know, until that playoff series had really 158 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 3: had their number, especially in Milwaukee, dating back like six 159 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 3: seven years. I think that's only one one series in 160 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 3: Milwaukee since twenty seventeen outside of the Wildcard series, So 161 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 3: that's a place where they really struggled historically. It's a 162 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 3: team that has given them trouble because of the style 163 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 3: that it plays. The Mets have been better against opposing 164 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 3: base Steelers this year than they were last year, but 165 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:52,719 Speaker 3: that that is an issue for them at times. A 166 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:54,480 Speaker 3: team that puts the ball in play and challenges their 167 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 3: defense the way Milwaukee does. So I think this is, 168 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,479 Speaker 3: you know, they need to have to put together good series. 169 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 3: We saw them, you know, when they were in that 170 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:06,479 Speaker 3: tough stretch in late June when they lost fourteen of seventeen. 171 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:08,719 Speaker 3: It was a series win over the Brewers that got 172 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 3: them out of it. They took two out of three 173 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 3: at home as well, walk get started July, then took 174 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 3: two out of three from the Yankees that got them 175 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 3: back into kind of a better state of play for 176 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 3: you know, maybe three three and a half weeks until 177 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 3: they hit this, this most recent skit. But you know 178 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 3: this is the kind of team. The National League is 179 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 3: a gauntlet. This is the kind of team. You're going 180 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 3: to have to play well against it in the final 181 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 3: two months and then of course into October if you 182 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 3: want to get back to where they were last year. 183 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 1: It's summertime, it's bathing suit time, and it's time to 184 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: get a better bathing suit liner. It's twenty twenty five krats. 185 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:41,119 Speaker 1: I would like to feel more comfortable, and I would 186 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 1: like to thank Fair Harbor for doing that. 187 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 5: It's super easy. You get the Fair Harbor Breeze in 188 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 5: It liner in your shorts, you can go play football 189 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 5: on the beach, you can play paddle ball, and you 190 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 5: don't got to worry about that crappy liner that other 191 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 5: bathing suits have. 192 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 1: It is so comfortable. You got to check it out. 193 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 1: I'm telling you, it's like butt butt a baby. 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Foul. 203 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 4: Well, let's hope they are able to pull some of 204 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 4: these out and get the flyer the fire lit a 205 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 4: little bit. Speaking of weird kind of slumpy stuff happening, 206 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:50,079 Speaker 4: especially in the lineup Wan Soto, who is Biometrics having 207 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 4: a Won Soto style year. There is one big, glaring 208 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 4: split that makes no sense to me and I am 209 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 4: still yet to figure out what's going on, and that 210 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:03,680 Speaker 4: is his production with the bases empty versus people on base. 211 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 4: He's has over one thousand ops with bases empty and 212 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 4: with runners off it's a six fifty, which is something 213 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 4: that's never showed up for in his career. He is 214 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 4: actually one of the guys with the bat I think 215 00:09:14,559 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 4: maybe the best in the league that doesn't have these 216 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 4: weird splits. He's pretty much consistently against everybody all the time. 217 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 4: So that leads me to think that is this an intent? 218 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:26,480 Speaker 4: Is there something he's trying to do or someone he's 219 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 4: trying to be in those situations. Have you heard anything 220 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 4: about mindset or approach with guys on base that is 221 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:35,080 Speaker 4: different this year than maybe it would have been passed 222 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 4: for Jan Soto that explained it? And if not, do 223 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 4: you have any theories? 224 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:41,559 Speaker 3: You know, I haven't heard anything. No one has said 225 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 3: anything about him individually in that respect. We've seen this 226 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 3: has been an issue for the Mets as a unit 227 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 3: for most of the season in terms of, you know, 228 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 3: bases empty versus runners in scoring position. The ops is 229 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 3: fifty or sixty points different that that changed in July. 230 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 3: The unfortunate thing is it change because they stopped hitting 231 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 3: with nobody on But you know the we talked about. 232 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,120 Speaker 3: You know, when it starts to become an issue for 233 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 3: a team, you press a little bit. So I can 234 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 3: imagine when this shows up as a weird split for 235 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:09,959 Speaker 3: Sodo through April in his first season with the Mets, 236 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 3: can imagine him maybe pressing in those spots a little 237 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 3: bit more. He's not the type of guy who would 238 00:10:13,880 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 3: admit that, and I don't think anyone on the Mets 239 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 3: would admit that on his behalf. But it's funny because 240 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 3: before the season I was looking at you know who 241 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 3: had the best debut season as a met in history. 242 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:26,840 Speaker 3: And you look at like Mike Piazza's numbers in nineteen 243 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 3: ninety eight. He was incredible for them for the most part. 244 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:32,240 Speaker 3: But I had remembered watching that season and thinking vaguely 245 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:33,559 Speaker 3: that he had had a bad year, and it was 246 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 3: because he had very similar splits to this. It was 247 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:38,319 Speaker 3: kind of no one on base versus runners in the 248 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 3: scoring position, so that the thought was like, well, Piazza 249 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 3: is getting his numbers when no when it doesn't matter, 250 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:44,440 Speaker 3: and Soda is getting his numbers when it doesn't matter. 251 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 3: He's not coming through in the big spots. You know, 252 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 3: I think these are the kinds of things that even 253 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 3: out over time. It is kind of just a weird split. 254 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:52,240 Speaker 2: For now. 255 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 3: I'm surprised it has lasted even this long, but I 256 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:57,679 Speaker 3: know I can imagine it's snowballing just a little bit 257 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:00,200 Speaker 3: on him. But he's the type of guy who he 258 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 3: gets out of it a little bit. I think we'll 259 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 3: start to go in the other direction. 260 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,319 Speaker 1: Tim, Where do you stand on the hitting coach conversation? 261 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:10,839 Speaker 1: You know, I tend to think that some can make 262 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: a massive difference, others are definitely not as good as 263 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:18,080 Speaker 1: at their craft right and then most of them are 264 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:21,319 Speaker 1: in the middle where it depends on personnel, the players 265 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 1: that you're connecting with, et cetera. This team has a 266 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: lot of superstars. They've been in the league for a while. 267 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: They know what they're doing. But I'm sure there's a 268 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 1: little heat. New York fans, Mets fans, they want to 269 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: come after someone. And Eric Chavez is the hitting coach. 270 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,560 Speaker 1: He was a great Big leaguer, but he's hitting coach 271 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: with the Mets right now, and that's the one who's 272 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:41,680 Speaker 1: being asked about. So what is your thought on that topic? 273 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I think if you ever want to 274 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:46,320 Speaker 3: make a change with your hitting coaches, you have to 275 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 3: know what you want to do instead. You know, I 276 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 3: go back to the Mets in twenty twenty one, fired 277 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:53,839 Speaker 3: Chili Davis and Tom Slater's their hitting coaches. I think 278 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 3: on like May second, as early as any t even 279 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 3: fired their hitting coaches. They wanted to get more analytical 280 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 3: and it kind of over you know, brought in Hugh 281 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 3: Quantalbaum to run things. Sorry Gus, Yeah, q Quatlebum and 282 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:07,679 Speaker 3: it kind of overwhelmed their hitters for the rest of 283 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 3: the season. It was difficult for them to make that 284 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:11,720 Speaker 3: adjustment on the fly, and so you know, bringing in 285 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 3: a different hitting coach in the middle of the season, 286 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 3: it's kind of bringing a different catcher. He's got to 287 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 3: learn everything on the run, and it becomes difficult, you know. 288 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 2: You see. 289 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 3: I remember looking at the numbers of how much teams improve, 290 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 3: and they do a little bit when you fire hitting 291 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:28,960 Speaker 3: coach bringing someone else, but that's generally explained more by regression. 292 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 3: So I think if the Mets wanted to make a 293 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 3: move with with Chavez with Jeremy Barnes, that the co 294 00:12:33,679 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 3: hitting coaches, they've both been there for four years. They 295 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:38,120 Speaker 3: know those hitters pretty well at this point. They bring 296 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 3: different approaches. Barnes more the analytical and mechanical guy, Chabas 297 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 3: is more of the experience and mental guy. They work 298 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:49,040 Speaker 3: with different hitters differently. I think if you wanted to 299 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:50,599 Speaker 3: make a change there, if you're David Seartz, who I 300 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 3: don't believe has fired a coach midseason in his tenure 301 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 3: as a as a general manager or a president of 302 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 3: baseball operations, then you've got to know this is the 303 00:12:57,600 --> 00:12:59,320 Speaker 3: guy I'm bringing in, or these are the guys I'm 304 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 3: bringing in this is what we're going to do differently. 305 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:03,719 Speaker 3: You've got to have a really set plan rather than 306 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:05,199 Speaker 3: just firing someone to fire someone. 307 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 4: Having been in that clubhouse when Hugh came on, confusion 308 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 4: is the correct word, I can confirm that is definitely 309 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:19,320 Speaker 4: what was happening. So big picture, we're looking at a 310 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 4: positive trends. We want to turn things around. We want 311 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 4: the team to put themselves in better positions to score 312 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 4: the more runs and win. What are a couple things 313 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 4: you would like to see as the lineup kind of 314 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:32,080 Speaker 4: unveils through a game that maybe even if the results 315 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:35,840 Speaker 4: aren't quite there, we're seeing better at bats. What types 316 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 4: of things would you look for to see that trend 317 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 4: maybe moving in the better directions some early sides. 318 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I think they've got to stop having 319 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 3: these like three four five inning or as I did earlier, 320 00:13:46,160 --> 00:13:48,439 Speaker 3: fourteen inning stretches where they're going hitless. 321 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:50,319 Speaker 2: You know, they're having too many one. 322 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:52,880 Speaker 3: To two three innings against opposing staffs, so getting guys 323 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:55,440 Speaker 3: on base, just creating the opportunities that they were creating 324 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:57,559 Speaker 3: in April, May and the first half of June. 325 00:13:57,640 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 2: And then you know, coming through. 326 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:01,320 Speaker 3: With runner and scoring position and the way they weren't 327 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,120 Speaker 3: at that point, and they started doing in July, just 328 00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:06,120 Speaker 3: with fewer opportunities. So I think kind of meshing those 329 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 3: two aspects, hitting with nobody on hitting with runners on 330 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 3: the way we've talked about, and then I do think 331 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:13,160 Speaker 3: like we focused a lot on the offense, like the 332 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:15,319 Speaker 3: starting pitching staff has to lead the way as well. 333 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 3: That they were first in rotation era in the National 334 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:21,560 Speaker 3: League through June twelfth, I think June thirteenth is kind 335 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 3: of win. This shifted for them when they blew a 336 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:25,280 Speaker 3: five run lead and lost to the Rays, and since 337 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 3: then they're twenty ninth in Baseball in rotation era. So 338 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 3: it's been a real shift for them. The whole staff, 339 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,360 Speaker 3: the ra has been worse, but you know, leading from 340 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 3: the rotation guys kind of beyond David Peterson and now 341 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 3: Sean ma and I is back pitching into the sixth 342 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 3: inning and beyond code single looking like you did earlier 343 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 3: in the season, could help to the point where it's 344 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 3: not a two nothing game in the sixth inning every night, 345 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 3: or whether they need to score, you know, seven runs 346 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 3: to win a game. I think, you know, having it 347 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:53,520 Speaker 3: started to go out there and win, you a game 348 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 3: the way like Gavin Williams did against them on Wednesday, 349 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 3: could help start them in the other direction. 350 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:00,120 Speaker 2: Get that rock moving, gut. 351 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: Away, I'll stay on the rotation. A guy that our 352 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 1: show has had consensus on over the past couple of years, 353 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 1: and you know, this is what we do on shows. 354 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 1: Frankie Montas AJ will put it more bluntly usually than 355 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 1: I will. How is this guy getting contracts like this? 356 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 1: And he signed for two years thirty four mil. There's 357 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 1: certain pitchers in the off season where you're like, man, 358 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:22,520 Speaker 1: this guy can't find a home and it's two years 359 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 1: thirty four mil. I think with the player option for 360 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 1: next year, so he could opt out if he was 361 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:29,680 Speaker 1: really good. He's not opting out, news flash. But what's 362 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 1: going on with Frankie Montas? 363 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:32,360 Speaker 2: What's the plan with him? 364 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 1: And has the organization talked about you know what they're 365 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 1: seeing you know from him now that is leading to 366 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 1: the struggles. What they liked about him, that led to 367 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 1: the signing of the offseason of course that had a 368 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: lot of injury issues. That was the case this year. 369 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: He comes back, but he's not pitching well. 370 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:48,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, and so in the off season they like this. 371 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 3: You know, they liked his stuff. They thought, like what 372 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 3: he did over the final two months with Milwaukee last year, 373 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 3: when he brought his velocity back up, was kind of 374 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 3: you know, him coming off of the shoulder injury that 375 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 3: he had with the Yankees. This was the kind of 376 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 3: the in between year he needed, and he was going 377 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:04,840 Speaker 3: to take off the following season. That's why they made 378 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 3: the gamble on him with the two year deal including 379 00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 3: the player option for the salary that they did, which 380 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 3: I did do think surprise a lot of people in 381 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 3: the industry. 382 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 2: What's been off really? 383 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 3: You know, he had the injury in spring training, didn't 384 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 3: didn't come back into the rotation until June. While he 385 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 3: was even on his rehab assignment, he was getting hit hard, 386 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:23,240 Speaker 3: you know, and it's been like a mechanical issue that 387 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 3: he's been working through for most of that time, just 388 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 3: to be more repeatable and to put the ball where 389 00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 3: he wants to. It doesn't matter how good your stuff 390 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 3: is if you can't put it where you want to 391 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 3: enough of the time. And that's been carried over for 392 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 3: a while. So they've talked about, you know, maybe using 393 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 3: an opener in front of him. You know, Paul Blackburn 394 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 3: is about ready to come back from his own injury, 395 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 3: he would be another option. Most Mets fans roll their 396 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 3: eyes at that possibility and look more longingly at Triple A, 397 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,120 Speaker 3: where you've got Brandon sprot and Nolan McClain, two of 398 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 3: their best pitching prospects who appear just about ready to 399 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 3: come to the big league level. Sproad after tough for 400 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 3: a couple of months is really good of late. McLain's 401 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 3: been pretty consistent. Also, Lung David Seartz's has been open 402 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:06,240 Speaker 3: to that idea throughout this season. So it would not 403 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 3: surprise me if we saw one of those two before 404 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:12,080 Speaker 3: long in the major leagues. But you know, Montas, I 405 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:14,639 Speaker 3: think is probably pitching for his spot in the rotation, 406 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:16,679 Speaker 3: the next starter or two here where you know the 407 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 3: team needs needs him to pitch well that they're not 408 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 3: in such a good spot in the standings anymore, but 409 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:23,640 Speaker 3: they can afford the luxury of letting their fifth starter 410 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 3: go out there and wear it every fifth day. They 411 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:28,400 Speaker 3: need something out of that spot, They need it soon. 412 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:31,160 Speaker 1: That's why it's crazy to me, because if you can't 413 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 1: kick it as a starter, I don't know if he's 414 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:36,439 Speaker 1: the reliever type. And then if that's not the case, 415 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 1: still on THEO for another season. I mean, I guess 416 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 1: you can fantom i elum, but you know, Met's got 417 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: a little punishment for that in the past, so we'll see. 418 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:49,359 Speaker 1: That's why I'm following this one closely, Tim, We'll keep 419 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:51,960 Speaker 1: an eye on it. Last one here real quick on that, Like, 420 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 1: if it doesn't work out for him in the rotation, 421 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,320 Speaker 1: I mean, they can't really do much with him. I 422 00:17:56,320 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 1: don't think you can option him without his permission, right, 423 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: so they would have to put him on waivers. 424 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 3: So yeah, yeah, I mean, like the options would go, 425 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:06,679 Speaker 3: you send them to the bullpen, which is something they 426 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:09,359 Speaker 3: were contemplating when his rehab assignment was going as poorly 427 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:11,239 Speaker 3: as it was before they had some injuries in their 428 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 3: rotation that opened up a spot for him. You can 429 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:15,200 Speaker 3: send to the bullpen as kind of the eighth guy 430 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 3: there and the long guy that would push you know, well, 431 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:20,439 Speaker 3: Blackburn is kind of the guy who's slated for that 432 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 3: role when he does come back, but they can move 433 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 3: on from him as well. He has not pitched well 434 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:26,920 Speaker 3: this year either. If you decided that, you know, you 435 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:28,600 Speaker 3: don't have room from on the major league roster yet. 436 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:31,360 Speaker 3: It's exposing him to waivers, it's de feing him, potentially 437 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 3: releasing him and eating what's left on that contract, including 438 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:37,880 Speaker 3: next year. So that that would be a costly move 439 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:40,120 Speaker 3: to make, but one that you know, the Bets could 440 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:42,679 Speaker 3: afford in a way that most other teams cannot, and 441 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:44,959 Speaker 3: that is one of the luxuries they have. 442 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: Still, that's true, and hey, David Searns has hit on 443 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:50,199 Speaker 1: a lot of those types of projects. You are not 444 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 1: going to hit on all of them, right, I mean, 445 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:55,160 Speaker 1: he really nailed it last year. They're not all going 446 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: to work out, So we'll see what happens with Frankie. 447 00:18:57,280 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 2: Tim. This was awesome. 448 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,080 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for catching up with us, Have 449 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 1: a great weekend, enjoy the series out there and we'll 450 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 1: catch you soon. 451 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 2: Hell YouTube, thanks for having me on.