Mets sunk by injuries in 2016
The New York Mets won the National League pennant in 2015. With such a young starting rotation and talented arms in each spot, it appeared New York would roll to many more.
Perhaps that will still be the case but it won’t be happening in 2016. The Mets are 62-62 going into Tuesday, sitting 4.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second and final wild card. While the deficit is not insurmountable, New York has the look of a dead team playing out the string.
For the Mets, there is nothing that can be said other than injuries derailing the season. While New York knew that it would be without Zack Wheeler for most of the campaign as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, nobody could have seen the other ailments. Third baseman and captain David Wright sustained another back injury that might end his career, while Yoenis Cespedes – by far the team’s best hitter – has been on the disabled list throughout much of the summer.
Lucas Duda has been out since June, sapping the Mets of much of their power. Duda can be streaky and doesn’t always hit for the highest average, but along with Cespedes, is the only threat in the lineup to hit 30 home runs. Factor in the problems – both performance and injuries – of Matt Harvey, and New York manager Terry Collins never had much of a chance.
There are other issues as well. Neil Walker has either been on fire or completely worthless. In April, Walker carried the offense and before a recent hot stretch, went into the tank for three months. Jose Reyes was signed to give the team a spark, only to watch him strain a muscle and be on the shelf.
Then there is Curtis Granderson, who simply can’t hit. Granderson is a hitter who should be trying to stroke doubles and triples while running into the occasional home run. Instead, the veteran outfielder keeps swinging for the fences. The results? Granderson has clubbed 20 homers, but somehow has a minuscule 34 RBI with a lousy .224 average and .312 on-base percentage.
Barring a miracle, the 2016 Mets are a disappointment. They have failed miserably to compete for a World Series. Part of the reason is completely out of their control. Much of it is well within their ability.
General manager Sandy Alderson would still be smart to keep Collins. He’s a smart man and a proven winner with this group. Instead, Alderson should look at the roster and make the proper adjustments. Move No. 1 should be finding another hitter to join Cespedes and Jay Bruce, should he stay in town.
New York should have done much more this season. Still, with so much young talent, the future remains bright.
