Almost nothing has gone right for the New York Mets this season. The club, as of Friday, sit in last place in the National League East at 34-41, 13 games behind one of Major League Baseball’s best, the Atlanta Braves. The Mets are five games out of the last spot in the Wild Card race as well. This was a team that was aiming for a division title, a team that was aiming for a postseason run, and a team that had World Series aspirations prior to the start of the season.
Mets’ Luke Weaver Anchoring ‘Pen as Trade Rumors Swirl
Weaver Leading Strong Bullpen
The Mets’ offense has been one of the worst in MLB and their starting rotation ERA has plummeted to 20th in the league. New York’s bullpen, however, has been quite the polar opposite, and veteran right-hander Luke Weaver has been leading the pack.
Since May 1, Weaver has pitched 20 innings and has allowed a total of zero runs. Yes, zero. The 32-year-old punched out 25 batters along the way, while issuing just four walks. During this stretch, Weaver’s command has been impeccable to say the least. Though Weaver seems to have found his rhythm and stride — thankfully for the Mets it comes at the perfect time — after his first five appearances, fans were calling for Weaver to be designated for assignment. Of course, fans frustration wasn’t solely directed at Weaver, it was more so directed at the entire team for their losing ways (7-19 in April).
Overcoming Struggles
It’s rather unprecedented, but what Weaver said on April 30 might have sparked something far greater than anyone ever thought it could. The reliever was in the midst of multiple poor outings. In six innings he had allowed six runs. He entered in the eighth inning facing the Washington Nationals with a 4-3 lead. Moments later, Weaver gave up a CJ Abrams game-winning two-run home run.
Following the game, Weaver gives a very detailed and thorough assessment:
“I’ve been sitting here trying to think about what to even say to you guys and what you’re even going to ask. At the end of the day, this pursuit of perfection is an ultimate pressurized failure mindset. Everybody wants to be the hero because we care and we want to win really, really bad. I just don’t think success lives in that realm. It truly doesn’t. The freedom with which we play day-to-day is kind of being suffocated a little bit. I want to do my job, it’s that simple. There’s moments that feel really close, and then there’s mistakes that magnify our situation.
“I sit there and feel the weight of the world, like I let the team down… We sit there and we tell you guys, ‘It’ll come. This is the game. This is the law of averages.’ But those words just don’t hold the same weight when you continue to [lose] day after day. The encouragement and motivation to pursue being the best person and best baseball player you can be is the only answer. Until we prove that, I understand the grievances from the outsiders.”
Weaver Leading Bullpen
Since this moment, Weaver has been a man on a mission. His season ERA is way down to 2.25 in 32 innings pitched. The Mets’ bullpen as a whole is one of the best. Their 3.33 ERA ranks them as fourth best and they lead MLB in strikeouts at 329. With pitching always being an extremely hot commodity in the MLB, numbers like that attracts many. Barring an extensive winning streak prior to the August 3 trade deadline, the Mets will be forced to sell off any and all valuables. Weaver is right there at the top of the list.
Main Photo: Aaron Doster- Imagn Images
