One of David Stearns's first priorities upon taking over the Mets last fall was improving their ability to “prevent runs.” This included upgrading a starting rotation that was vacant of quality arms and improving the team’s defense.
Through the first third of the season, Stearns earns good grades on the value pitching moves. Luis Severino and Sean Manaea have validated Stearns’ decision-making process with solid starts. On defense, however, the Mets couldn’t be any worse as they entered today in the bottom third of the league in UZR/150, Outs Above Average, and Fielding Run Value. In other words, for the fan that doesn’t care about fancy terminology, the 2024 Mets have given up between 7 and 8 outs as a team this season.
This was on full display during yesterday’s Game 1 meltdown against the Dodgers when the Mets couldn’t turn a couple of double plays in the eighth inning. Yes, the drop-off in the core’s production has been the main reason for the disappointing results thus far, but poor defense and lack of small fundamentals are the icing on the proverbial sour baseball cake.
When dealing with a five-inning pitching staff and trying to climb out of a sub-.500 hole, these gifts to the opposition are a death knell. Despite that, one player has stood out on the defensive side and may be as good of a move as the aforementioned Severino and Manaea.
Harrison Bader: Elite Centerfielder
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