The Mets and a minimum standard of offensive competence

We all want players who excel in all phases of the game. But there are only so many of those guys. So, in reality, we have to accept players with limitations. And what you are willing to accept shows what you value, as well as what you don’t tolerate. The Mets of my youth were built on pitching. But they tolerated some really crappy offensive performances. No doubt because of that, players who can’t hit are not ones that appeal to me, no matter how good they may be on defense or the basepaths or the clubhouse.

The 1972 Mets had 16 players amass at least 100 PA and eight of them had a sub-90 OPS+, including three nominal starters. The double-play combo of Ken Boswell (70 OPS+) and Bud Harrelson (68 OPS+) both needed to be replaced but their main backup was even worse. Ted Martinez saw the most playing time as a reserve and in 347 PA he posted a 54 OPS+. Lute Barnes came up in August and put up the best results of any middle infielder, as he notched a 76 OPS+ in 79 PA.

Harrelson was the star of this four-man group, the only one to finish in positive numbers, with a 0.2 fWAR. Boswell checked in with a (-0.1), Barnes had a (-0.3) and Martinez had a (-0.8). Yet you heard people say that because the Mets were built on pitching, they needed strong defenders behind them. We didn’t have the tools then that we do now to accurately evaluate a player’s contribution. But it was pretty obvious – even to a twerp like me – that the Mets needed more offense.

Fast forward to the 21^st Century and we still see the Mets collecting guys who can’t hit. Every team is going to have a handful of players who get minimal at-bats and stink. The problem is when you keep giving those guys who can’t hit playing time. For the Mets here in the 2020s, it’s mostly been about giving playing time to alleged good defensive catchers.

But there’s also been the 341 PA for a still-injured Starling Marte in 2023 or the 389 PA for a not-ready Brett Baty in the same season. Those two put up a 74 and 66 OPS+, respectively. And of course, let’s not forget the 437 PA last year of Harrison Bader, who put up an 86 OPS+, one that high only due to a six-week hot streak.

The Mets face a somewhat similar issue in CF in 2025 that they had a year ago. Bader began the year as the starter, in no small part due to his defensive reputation. But by the end of the year, he was riding the pine, sitting behind Tyrone Taylor, who shook off his dismal May to be an asset on both sides of the ball.

Jose Siri was brought in this season, in no small part due to his defensive reputation. Siri also brings power to the table, having hit 43 HR over the past two years. In 2024, Siri had the most playing time in his career. And in those 448 PA, he recorded a 76 OPS+. In Grapefruit League play so far, Siri’s been a three-true-outcome performer, with 3 HR, 3 BB and 4 Ks in his 16 PA. The three homers are his only hits. Home runs are great. But can Siri contribute enough offensively, even with the homers?

Siri’s likely the better defensive player, although Taylor is no slouch in that department. Siri will probably hit more HR if they had the same amount of playing time. But Taylor will be the better player because his overall hitting is superior. Even with a .374 OPS in the month of May last year, Taylor had a 99 OPS+. And that 23-point OPS+ advantage he had over Siri last year is huge.

A good defensive outfielder who is a legitimate HR threat is nice fourth OFer, not a starter. My hope is that no starter on the 2025 Mets flirts with the Galvis Line, which is an 80 OPS+.

And while the bar for offensive performance might be lower for reserves, let’s not do cartwheels over bench players who can’t hit, either. When Luis Guillorme had a 101 OPS+ in 2022, that was great. When he posted a 71 OPS+ the following season, it was his last as a Met. Joey Wendle (42 OPS+) and Zack Short (16 OPS+) didn’t make it past May 14 last year.

There are a couple of veterans in camp fighting for a roster spot. Yonny Hernandez, age 27, has a 44 OPS+ in 221 PA in the majors, while 31-year-old Donovan Walton has 49 OPS+ in 205 PA. It doesn’t matter to me if these guys are the second coming of Ozzie Smith defensively. My overwhelming preference is not to have guys on the MLB roster who can’t hit.

Let’s set a minimum standard of competence offensively. If a player is going to get 300 PA, he should be able to post at least a 90 OPS+. And if he’s going to be on the roster all year or get at least 100 PA, he should be able to put up at least a 75 OPS+. If you willingly place a player on your roster that you don’t have confidence that he can reach that level of performance, you’re just wasting time.

The Mets shouldn’t waste time with Hernandez or Walton or anyone else who can’t hit.