Just when you think you have things figured out, up comes Ronnie Mauricio! The national league has an increased number of teams that can genuinely vie for a playoff spot, making winning more critical than it was last year, when the NL East placed three teams into the playoffs. Mauricio could add both a jolt of power and use his legs to manufacture runs with a nod to small ball, when it is appropriate - like an extra inning ghost runner who could be bunted over to third and then score on an out.
Not concerned with where Mauricio will play but let's put him in at DH to start and get his bat involved. Then we leave it up to Mendoza figure how to juggle players. Wouldn't we rather have Mauricio on the bench than Jared Young. Isn't there a good value of having Acuna on the bench to come in as a defensive replacement or to use his legs to score a run? Not sure why we think that 200 at bats at Syracuse would allow Acuna to learn how to hit. The coaching staff should be working with him as they should with any player who is not hitting well. Alvarez would be a prime example of needing help. At least he does a nice job calling games and has improved his throws to second base, although his snap throws behind the runner at first has me nervous that the ball will be heading down the right field line.
The way we sometimes complain about this team we seem to forget that the have the best record in the NL with a top pitching rotation of misfit toys and reclamation projects.
I was talking about today not the rest of his career. As players step up they earn more playing time. The game has certainly become situational as to when players play, even on the powerhouse Dodgers. Acuna has value and his speed is important and he will improve if he puts the work in. I think if you asked him, he would rather stay on the bench and play part time then play full-time at AAA
I was not impressed with what Mauricio did in the majors in 2023. If he puts up similar numbers this time will you be as ruthless with him as you've been with Acuna?
Mauricio’s poor numbers in 2023 were due to 7 BB and 31 Ks in 108 PA, which is why I’ve been focusing on his plate discipline.
If Mauricio has a .590 OPS after 142 PA in the majors, I promise I will call for him to be sent to the minors, too. I’ll leave it up to you how “ruthless” that is.
Let me start with the statement: "I did not want Mark Vientos to get hurt and would have preferred to have him right the ship in the majors and be the player he was in 2024."
That said, the Vientos injury opened the ideal road to a Mauricio promotion. Mauricio is hitting a ton so his credentials weren't holding him but consistent playing time was. The Mets can easily play Mauricio and Baty nearly every day with the current roster, spotting Marte in and giving Acuna defensive innings.
If Mauricio hits more than .678 OPS (Vientos OPS) then that would be an improvement for the team. Hopefully he will hit much better than Acuna (590 OPS), Young (634 OPS) and Marte (690 OPS) so that they are relegated to be only bench players. That would set the bar pretty low and Mauricio is capable of so much more. I think he will be a contributor this year. Somewhere between Baty (734 OPS) and McNeil (817 OPS).
In the immediate term, Mauricio would give some upside to a DH position begging for some action. In the long term, Mauricio could become the everyday second baseman that makes Jeff McNeil a full time utility guy, sends Acuna to Syracuse, and gives the Mets more youth to hope for in addition to Baty, Alvarez and Vientos. That could finalize the dirt. Next stop, the grass.
Just when you think you have things figured out, up comes Ronnie Mauricio! The national league has an increased number of teams that can genuinely vie for a playoff spot, making winning more critical than it was last year, when the NL East placed three teams into the playoffs. Mauricio could add both a jolt of power and use his legs to manufacture runs with a nod to small ball, when it is appropriate - like an extra inning ghost runner who could be bunted over to third and then score on an out.
Not concerned with where Mauricio will play but let's put him in at DH to start and get his bat involved. Then we leave it up to Mendoza figure how to juggle players. Wouldn't we rather have Mauricio on the bench than Jared Young. Isn't there a good value of having Acuna on the bench to come in as a defensive replacement or to use his legs to score a run? Not sure why we think that 200 at bats at Syracuse would allow Acuna to learn how to hit. The coaching staff should be working with him as they should with any player who is not hitting well. Alvarez would be a prime example of needing help. At least he does a nice job calling games and has improved his throws to second base, although his snap throws behind the runner at first has me nervous that the ball will be heading down the right field line.
The way we sometimes complain about this team we seem to forget that the have the best record in the NL with a top pitching rotation of misfit toys and reclamation projects.
So are you convinced that Acuna will never hit in the majors and it's okay to pigeon-hole him as a defensive replacement/pinch-runner?
We've seen Baty have success in 2025 after getting - for the first time - 200 consecutive PA at Triple-A last year.
I was talking about today not the rest of his career. As players step up they earn more playing time. The game has certainly become situational as to when players play, even on the powerhouse Dodgers. Acuna has value and his speed is important and he will improve if he puts the work in. I think if you asked him, he would rather stay on the bench and play part time then play full-time at AAA
I was not impressed with what Mauricio did in the majors in 2023. If he puts up similar numbers this time will you be as ruthless with him as you've been with Acuna?
Mauricio’s poor numbers in 2023 were due to 7 BB and 31 Ks in 108 PA, which is why I’ve been focusing on his plate discipline.
If Mauricio has a .590 OPS after 142 PA in the majors, I promise I will call for him to be sent to the minors, too. I’ll leave it up to you how “ruthless” that is.
Let me start with the statement: "I did not want Mark Vientos to get hurt and would have preferred to have him right the ship in the majors and be the player he was in 2024."
That said, the Vientos injury opened the ideal road to a Mauricio promotion. Mauricio is hitting a ton so his credentials weren't holding him but consistent playing time was. The Mets can easily play Mauricio and Baty nearly every day with the current roster, spotting Marte in and giving Acuna defensive innings.
Now all Mauricio needs to do... is hit.
If Mauricio hits more than .678 OPS (Vientos OPS) then that would be an improvement for the team. Hopefully he will hit much better than Acuna (590 OPS), Young (634 OPS) and Marte (690 OPS) so that they are relegated to be only bench players. That would set the bar pretty low and Mauricio is capable of so much more. I think he will be a contributor this year. Somewhere between Baty (734 OPS) and McNeil (817 OPS).
Mauricio just might be the spark that the Mets offense needs. He could be this years Iglesias.
In the immediate term, Mauricio would give some upside to a DH position begging for some action. In the long term, Mauricio could become the everyday second baseman that makes Jeff McNeil a full time utility guy, sends Acuna to Syracuse, and gives the Mets more youth to hope for in addition to Baty, Alvarez and Vientos. That could finalize the dirt. Next stop, the grass.