The decision to trade for Huascar Brazoban was a head-scratcher. The Mets had already added a lot of new arms to the bullpen and my worry was they would have a hard to knowing what to do with some of these pitchers. When Brazoban came in with a 2-1 lead against Miami, something he’s failed with before, I knew it was a bad idea. That checked out. Why is Adam Ottavino still on the roster??

Stearns has given the Mets an outfield of all backups save Starling Marte, who is fragile, and Brandon Nimmo, who may have hurt his shoulder again. The other pickups can mostly field, Tyrone Taylor made an awful misplay against the Marlins and it cost the Mets. He has made some great plays too, but that’s his job. Jesse Winker and Harrison Bader can all field, but the Mets push their usage in certain positions. Before this year, Taylor had played eight games in center field since 2022, when he played 84 with the Brewers. Playing much more this year may cost the Mets in big spots. None of these players are hitting in the clutch. 

So I talked about misuse of the bullpen and especially Brazoban. Now let’s talk about making Jeff McNeil bunt, to try and give up an out with your fastest player, Jose Iglesias on second, a man on first with no outs. After three failed attempts he made out and that first out was a rally killer. He has had three other bunt attempts this season. Is that the guy you want to do that? He was finally in a decent hitting groove. The Mets’ recent loss to the Marlins stings because of the upcoming road trip.

I fear Jeremy Hefner will get blamed for the Mets’ pitching woes with all the walks. But Stearns had picked up players with a history of giving up a lot of walks and hits in their careers. The Mets have used 36 pitchers this year. I can’t blame this on the pitching coach. I can’t.

Pete Alonso has to be better along with all the other players. The Mets defense has covered up a lot of pitching woes and players like Alonso haven’t come through enough in big spots.

The Mets can fall back on, there are a lot of changes coming, and this was a great unexpected year, but in the end, they are blowing a playoff chance and that is something all Met fans have seen in recent memory and so far, that mentality hasn’t changed.