One of the first things David Stearns did when taking over the Mets was to move Brandon Nimmo to left field, with the belief that his defense in center field wasn’t good enough.
I agree with your conclusions. Taylor’s offense should relegate him to defensive replacement duty, full stop. I would hope that Marte is at least serviceable in LF. That gives them another way to keep Taylor on the bench. As for the infield, I don’t know how much longer they can stick with Vientos. He seems lost this season. He had a few hard hit balls yesterday, right at infielders, so maybe he’ll come around. Meanwhile, Baty and Mauricio should be getting all the starts and ABs against righties. Versus righties, I’d put McNeil and NImmo in the OF (it’s a push to me where they play between LF and CF) and Baty and Mauricio at 2B/3B (also a push.). Versus lefties, I’d put Marte in LF, Nimmo in CF, McNeil at 2B, and either Vientos or Mauricio at 3B. It’s hard to say if Alvy is figuring things out in Syracuse, but he’s hitting HRs. If he’s swinging from his heels but having success in AAA, that could actually be the worst thing for him as he can’t pull that crap in the bigs.
I agree completely about Alvarez. But Torrens isn't a full-time player - .156/.206/.250 since Alvarez was demoted - and the Mets may just need to live with whatever Alvarez gives them.
Totally agree on Alvy. When he’s on his heels and uppercutting, it’s tough to watch—but hopefully he gains confidence and eventually adopts a more consistent, controlled approach. Vientos went down last year, got to play every day, and that clearly helped him. The question now is: can he succeed in a limited role—pinch hitting, playing sparingly? Can he start against a lefty, get a couple of at-bats, and *not* get pulled after for poor hitting. I honestly don’t know what he sees in those way-out-of-the-zone sliders he whiffs on over and over. It's baffling sometimes.
I enjoy reading your column. As usual you bring good points.
If Marte is physically sound, in shape, and durable, then of course you give him innings out there. Just his recent high leverage playoff offensive production alone earns him that opportunity. He is a free agent soon. This might be the right timing?
Are the Mets really contenders this year? If there isn’t strong certainty about the team’s offensive ceiling—even assuming the pitching gets healthy—can we really justify trading prospects who are peaking, especially those who may never dominate in Triple-A?
I know I’ve said before that I don’t see Gilbert as particularly impressive, and I still feel that way. But even so, selling from a thin system for a marginal upgrade only makes sense if the team is genuinely in contention.
I’ve always felt reasonably comfortable with Nimmo in center, though I never actually checked the numbers. I was never thrilled with his arm, but nine outfield assists from 2021–2023 speak for themselves.
The team just hasn’t had enough consistent production through the lineup to carry someone like Taylor, especially with how he's hitting right now. The Dodgers, by contrast, can obviously afford to carry a bat like Conforto’s.
(And Adrian Houser is pitching great!)
I’ve been following Acuña’s production in Triple-A and, honestly, I don’t see a major late-inning offensive upgrade over Taylor—even in the middle of Taylor’s worst slump, which at least still includes some power.
How much of a defensive upgrade is Acuña at second compared to the guys he’d be replacing? I remember a pivotal ground ball hit to McNeil’s right a few weeks back that he couldn’t get to, and I thought then maybe second isn’t the best spot for him. Has his defense improved there?
Anyway, I still see more of a need for Taylor on the roster than Acuña. Who’s the sure-handed backup at shortstop now? Mauricio?
Are the Mets contenders? Absolutely! I feel like they need a major bullpen addition. I wouldn't turn up my nose at a major addition to the rotation, either, even if I don't see that as big of a need. Ditto for the offense.
In 334.1 innings at 2B, Acuna has a +1 FRV. In 239.2 innings at 2B, McNeil has a +2 FRV. There's nothing that has been exaggerated in its importance like Acuna's defense.
I recollect that last year the Mets wanted to rest Nimmo’s plantar fasciitis as much as possible, so he was out in LF. I don’t know how that is now. I feel that with reps, McNeil can stand in CF. McNeil is skinnier than Nimmo so I feel he can be more athletic there. Vientos made a nice play on Judge’s grounder yesterday. Bohm is not a great fielder either, but we wouldn’t mind if he stood at third for us. Hard to have a perfect player.
The Mets pitching gave up 5 runs and six runs this weekend and the Mets win both games: that’s not a feather in the pitchers’ hat. I think the hitting and position players are fine. I’d like to see two real lefties for the bullpen, not just waiver wire guys. Raley will soon be one, who is the other one?
Vientos is out of minot league options. How do I know this? Fangraphs.com, type in Mark Vientos in the players box . The under the Roster Resource , find MiLB Options. Now you know your answer too. Fangraphs, Baseball Reference and other sites have information.
Good point about McNeil in LF and Nimmo in CF. McNeil should play everyday. Taylor with his 570 OPS has made him a defensive replacement. Marte (740 OPs) and Mauricio (721 OPS) should play more than Vientos (619 OPS). Unfortunately, Vientos doesn't have a minor league option. Baty (688 OPS) is luke warm player. All four players are expendable for the trade deadline. Nice article Brian.
This is another great well thought out article. Its tough to balance and leverage the mediocrity of the youngsters. Vientos is the most disappointing. He could be a one year wonder. Remember Kevin Maas. Remember Joe Charboneau. If thats how you spell it. We need Alvarez more than Vientos. If I had ny choice Id go with a couple of relievers and a center fielder. Did you see that Oneil Cruz gunned down a runner at the plate with a throw that was 105+ MPH. whew.
The bottom line is it might just be time to break the logjam of waiting for these former prospects, who are now sitting on the Mets major league roster to start performing like they should. With some prospects that are blocked at their major league level, and a few on the team or under performing. Several of those players should be considered as trade bait, especially for teams that are in need of a rebuild. On an alternating basis, there’s no reason why Nimmo and place of centerfield. That means that Marte gets a shot at left or they put McNeil there, they clearly cannot be without McNeil in the lineup. Lots to consider between now and the trade deadline, but I really don’t think they should wait. I think they should get a jump on the competition and start picking up some players who can help them going forward. It’s likely there will not be a Yoenis Cespedes for the taking, but I’d love to see a big splash.
It certainly feels like we are primed for trade deadline acquisitions to help boost this team to the next level. I remember writing during the off-season that Mets fans should be worried about the CF combo of Taylor and Siri and it looks like that was prophetic. Ideally we upgrade there, have Mcneil play every day at 2B and make a decision or two about Vientos, Baty, and Mauricio. Vientos has essentially returned to Earth after last year and he's the same struggling player he's been his whole career. I've not seen much from Mauricio that's impressed me. That leaves the streaky Baty as the default guy. Hopefully our farm system steps up next year, as long as we don't have to sell the farm for a good reliever.
I agree with your conclusions. Taylor’s offense should relegate him to defensive replacement duty, full stop. I would hope that Marte is at least serviceable in LF. That gives them another way to keep Taylor on the bench. As for the infield, I don’t know how much longer they can stick with Vientos. He seems lost this season. He had a few hard hit balls yesterday, right at infielders, so maybe he’ll come around. Meanwhile, Baty and Mauricio should be getting all the starts and ABs against righties. Versus righties, I’d put McNeil and NImmo in the OF (it’s a push to me where they play between LF and CF) and Baty and Mauricio at 2B/3B (also a push.). Versus lefties, I’d put Marte in LF, Nimmo in CF, McNeil at 2B, and either Vientos or Mauricio at 3B. It’s hard to say if Alvy is figuring things out in Syracuse, but he’s hitting HRs. If he’s swinging from his heels but having success in AAA, that could actually be the worst thing for him as he can’t pull that crap in the bigs.
I agree completely about Alvarez. But Torrens isn't a full-time player - .156/.206/.250 since Alvarez was demoted - and the Mets may just need to live with whatever Alvarez gives them.
Totally agree on Alvy. When he’s on his heels and uppercutting, it’s tough to watch—but hopefully he gains confidence and eventually adopts a more consistent, controlled approach. Vientos went down last year, got to play every day, and that clearly helped him. The question now is: can he succeed in a limited role—pinch hitting, playing sparingly? Can he start against a lefty, get a couple of at-bats, and *not* get pulled after for poor hitting. I honestly don’t know what he sees in those way-out-of-the-zone sliders he whiffs on over and over. It's baffling sometimes.
I enjoy reading your column. As usual you bring good points.
If Marte is physically sound, in shape, and durable, then of course you give him innings out there. Just his recent high leverage playoff offensive production alone earns him that opportunity. He is a free agent soon. This might be the right timing?
Are the Mets really contenders this year? If there isn’t strong certainty about the team’s offensive ceiling—even assuming the pitching gets healthy—can we really justify trading prospects who are peaking, especially those who may never dominate in Triple-A?
I know I’ve said before that I don’t see Gilbert as particularly impressive, and I still feel that way. But even so, selling from a thin system for a marginal upgrade only makes sense if the team is genuinely in contention.
I’ve always felt reasonably comfortable with Nimmo in center, though I never actually checked the numbers. I was never thrilled with his arm, but nine outfield assists from 2021–2023 speak for themselves.
The team just hasn’t had enough consistent production through the lineup to carry someone like Taylor, especially with how he's hitting right now. The Dodgers, by contrast, can obviously afford to carry a bat like Conforto’s.
(And Adrian Houser is pitching great!)
I’ve been following Acuña’s production in Triple-A and, honestly, I don’t see a major late-inning offensive upgrade over Taylor—even in the middle of Taylor’s worst slump, which at least still includes some power.
How much of a defensive upgrade is Acuña at second compared to the guys he’d be replacing? I remember a pivotal ground ball hit to McNeil’s right a few weeks back that he couldn’t get to, and I thought then maybe second isn’t the best spot for him. Has his defense improved there?
Anyway, I still see more of a need for Taylor on the roster than Acuña. Who’s the sure-handed backup at shortstop now? Mauricio?
Thanks for the kind words!
Are the Mets contenders? Absolutely! I feel like they need a major bullpen addition. I wouldn't turn up my nose at a major addition to the rotation, either, even if I don't see that as big of a need. Ditto for the offense.
In 334.1 innings at 2B, Acuna has a +1 FRV. In 239.2 innings at 2B, McNeil has a +2 FRV. There's nothing that has been exaggerated in its importance like Acuna's defense.
I recollect that last year the Mets wanted to rest Nimmo’s plantar fasciitis as much as possible, so he was out in LF. I don’t know how that is now. I feel that with reps, McNeil can stand in CF. McNeil is skinnier than Nimmo so I feel he can be more athletic there. Vientos made a nice play on Judge’s grounder yesterday. Bohm is not a great fielder either, but we wouldn’t mind if he stood at third for us. Hard to have a perfect player.
The Mets pitching gave up 5 runs and six runs this weekend and the Mets win both games: that’s not a feather in the pitchers’ hat. I think the hitting and position players are fine. I’d like to see two real lefties for the bullpen, not just waiver wire guys. Raley will soon be one, who is the other one?
Can Vientos be sent to minors or is he out of optons?
Vientos is out of minot league options. How do I know this? Fangraphs.com, type in Mark Vientos in the players box . The under the Roster Resource , find MiLB Options. Now you know your answer too. Fangraphs, Baseball Reference and other sites have information.
Thanks.
Good point about McNeil in LF and Nimmo in CF. McNeil should play everyday. Taylor with his 570 OPS has made him a defensive replacement. Marte (740 OPs) and Mauricio (721 OPS) should play more than Vientos (619 OPS). Unfortunately, Vientos doesn't have a minor league option. Baty (688 OPS) is luke warm player. All four players are expendable for the trade deadline. Nice article Brian.
This is another great well thought out article. Its tough to balance and leverage the mediocrity of the youngsters. Vientos is the most disappointing. He could be a one year wonder. Remember Kevin Maas. Remember Joe Charboneau. If thats how you spell it. We need Alvarez more than Vientos. If I had ny choice Id go with a couple of relievers and a center fielder. Did you see that Oneil Cruz gunned down a runner at the plate with a throw that was 105+ MPH. whew.
The Mets brass don’t believe Marte’s body will hold up playing the outfield.
The bottom line is it might just be time to break the logjam of waiting for these former prospects, who are now sitting on the Mets major league roster to start performing like they should. With some prospects that are blocked at their major league level, and a few on the team or under performing. Several of those players should be considered as trade bait, especially for teams that are in need of a rebuild. On an alternating basis, there’s no reason why Nimmo and place of centerfield. That means that Marte gets a shot at left or they put McNeil there, they clearly cannot be without McNeil in the lineup. Lots to consider between now and the trade deadline, but I really don’t think they should wait. I think they should get a jump on the competition and start picking up some players who can help them going forward. It’s likely there will not be a Yoenis Cespedes for the taking, but I’d love to see a big splash.
It certainly feels like we are primed for trade deadline acquisitions to help boost this team to the next level. I remember writing during the off-season that Mets fans should be worried about the CF combo of Taylor and Siri and it looks like that was prophetic. Ideally we upgrade there, have Mcneil play every day at 2B and make a decision or two about Vientos, Baty, and Mauricio. Vientos has essentially returned to Earth after last year and he's the same struggling player he's been his whole career. I've not seen much from Mauricio that's impressed me. That leaves the streaky Baty as the default guy. Hopefully our farm system steps up next year, as long as we don't have to sell the farm for a good reliever.