The New York Mets have entered a point into the season where they never imagined it to be; playing non-competitive baseball in August. They thought, along with many others, that the team would be in playoff contention now. Even fighting with the Atlanta Braves for the National League East division title. However, that isn’t the case. The team is floundering and is closer to last place in the division. That includes an 0-6 road trip and getting swept by the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles. After a sell festival at the trade deadline, it is time to see what you have for 2024. Evaluate some of the players on the roster, especially the young ones. Or it isn’t.
Sending Brett Baty Down Serves No Purpose
We’ve Already Seen Baty In Triple-A
On Monday, the Mets made a shocking move by sending third baseman Brett Baty down to the minors.
The Mets are sending Brett Baty down to Triple-A Syracuse pic.twitter.com/hBKstmJQkb
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 7, 2023
In a corresponding move, infielder Jonathan Araúz was called up to the big league level. Manager Buck Showalter pointed out that this was done to help Baty’s confidence and to take “a little time-out.”
“Just a little time out. Take a breath. Just let him work on some things without the day-to-day”
Buck Showalter talks about the decision to option Brett Baty to Triple-A pic.twitter.com/rT3qtCgK8o
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 7, 2023
It was a move that made zero sense. Baty has been struggling at the plate and on defense; however, there is a better time to mess around and option him. The Mets need the luxury to send players down with where they are. Baty should be one of those players they want to see develop at Citi Field. Plus, Baty already performed in Triple-A. New York knows that because they called him up for his play down there in the first place. In 2022 with Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, Baty batted .364 with 19 home runs and 60 RBI. The Mets called him up in August, but his time was short due to thumb surgery.
This year in Triple-A, he only played nine games before getting the call back up to the big leagues. In those nine games, Baty hit 2 home runs and 5 RBI. He was again proving why he should be with the big league club. He really should’ve been there on Opening Day. There is nothing left to prove for him at Triple-A. Even if you want him to regain his confidence, he should get it at the major league level.
Baty Can Only Gain Anything In The Majors.
There’s no question about it; Baty’s had a hard time this season. He’s a liability at the plate by batting .216 and only hitting 7 home runs. The power just has yet to arrive. His defense has been worse. Regardless, the only way for him to get it is if he stays up and plays every day. There are two months left in the season, the team is out of it, and this is the time to see what you have. He needs to hit off big-league pitching. If Baty can play well these last two months, you must be confident in him heading into 2024. He won’t get that chance as of now.
We should’ve seen this coming, not just because of his struggles. This is the same team that wanted Carlos Correa at third base this season. There’s nothing the Mets can do about that now, and Baty is now the option. Playing guys who have no future with the team benefits only some. Especially Baty. Just because the front office threw in the towel doesn’t mean you should not let young players play. The 2024 roster isn’t set in stone, but you can better understand what it can be. You do that by allowing Baty to play and go through his hiccups in the major leagues.
Main Photo Credits: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Brett Baty, Jonathan Araúz, Carlos Correa
