Mets May Meltdown: Jorge Lopez DFAed After Glove Toss, Ejection and Post-Game Rant
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Is Any Team Worse Than the Mets?
Recent observations might lead some to argue that, as of now, the Mets are hitting a low point in Major League Baseball. However, a deeper look into the squad's capabilities hints at a more competent team than currently perceived.
Expectations are set for an improvement towards a .500 performance in the upcoming games, with predictions pointing towards a season finale mirroring the 75 victories achieved in 2023.
The future progress of the team remains uncertain, yet it's hard to imagine their performance dipping below the struggles witnessed in May.
Perhaps a dramatic moment, such as a glove being thrown into the stands, will be the catalyst for the Mets to reverse their fortunes. Alternatively, it could simply mark another regrettable episode in what appears to be a challenging 2024 for the Mets.
To see which direction the team is headed, the upcoming game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 ET tonight is a must-watch.
Jorge Lopez's Ejection and Post-Game Rant
In a month marred by underperformance, the New York Mets have solidified their position as the least successful team in Major League Baseball, a sentiment echoed, intentionally or not, by Jorge Lopez. This period of struggle was punctuated by a recent debacle against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field, a game aimed at preventing a series sweep but instead highlighting the team's ongoing issues.
Adam Ottavino was called upon in the eighth inning with the score tied at three, only to allow a leadoff homer to Will Smith, followed by a cascade of runs resulting from a mix of hits and walks. Lopez, stepping in for Ottavino, contributed to the downturn with a two-run homer by Shohei Ohtani. His subsequent altercation with an umpire over a non-strike call, culminating in his ejection and a dramatic glove toss into the stands, became a symbol of the team's frustrations.
This moment of venting, while potentially relatable to fans driven to similar points of exasperation, underscored a lack of professionalism that the Mets organization could not overlook.
The debate over Lopez's post-game remarks (below), possibly misconstrued due to language barriers, does little to mitigate the situation. His actions and words, suggesting either personal failure or a team-wide deficiency, led to his designation for assignment—a move that might have aligned with his desires, reminiscent of a dramatic exit worthy of cinematic history.
Why the Mets Have Been Terrible
Mound Getting Rocked
Throughout May, the Mets' performance has been lacking across the board. Their overall pitching, marked by a league-worst 4.72 ERA for the month, highlights issues both in the starting lineup and the bullpen. Notably, their failure to secure saves—missing five out of seven opportunities, and eight out of the last 14—has significantly contributed to their fall in the rankings.
Starters and relievers alike are underperforming, with ERAs of 4.84 and 4.53 respectively, underscoring a collective slump.
Boom-less Bats
Offensively, the team isn't faring much better, sitting at 21st in runs and 20th in weighted runs created plus (wRC+), with their position players ranking eighth from the bottom in wins above replacement (fWAR). Their defense is also the lowest rated in the league. Despite the widespread issues, the team's meeting saw no single player singled out, reflecting a shared responsibility for the downturn.
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What do the Mets do for Pitching?
Bullpen Boost Needed
Addressing the Mets' urgent bullpen dilemma is key, especially with Edwin Diaz now sidelined and Lopez gone. The team urgently needs pitchers capable of handling high-pressure, late-game situations, but options are dwindling, with Reed Garrett's recent performances failing to impress. David Stearns, known for assembling strong bullpens, must now tap into the minor leagues for solutions to stop the team's struggles.
Starters Show Promise
Despite a rough patch, the starting rotation looks promising, especially with Tylor Megill and David Peterson returning from the IL. Megill's remarkable seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers and Peterson's solid season debut signal a stronger rotation, now boasting a blend of promising talent like Christian Scott and seasoned players like Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, each with ERAs under 3.50. Jose Quintana, despite current struggles, has the potential for a comeback. The anticipated return of Kodai Senga from the IL is shadowed by rehab delays, raising concerns about his availability. Meanwhile, the Mets plan to utilize a six-man rotation and have options like Jose Butto and Joey Lucchesi in Triple-A as backups.
Big Bats Do Exist Despite Hibernating
Despite challenges, the team's solid lineup, featuring big bats. Stars like Pete Alonso, who looks to have avoided serious injury after getting hit by a pitch on the hand last night, can mash. Francisco Lindor is a star that can only be better and veteran slugger J.D. Martinez, hit 33 HR and drove in over 100 last year. That core can bring better months for New York.
Is Any Team Worse Than the Mets?
Recent observations might lead some to argue that, as of now, the Mets are hitting a low point in Major League Baseball. However, a deeper look into the squad's capabilities hints at a more competent team than currently perceived.
Expectations are set for an improvement towards a .500 performance in the upcoming games, with predictions pointing towards a season finale mirroring the 75 victories achieved in 2023.
The future progress of the team remains uncertain, yet it's hard to imagine their performance dipping below the struggles witnessed in May.
Perhaps a dramatic moment, such as a glove being thrown into the stands, will be the catalyst for the Mets to reverse their fortunes. Alternatively, it could simply mark another regrettable episode in what appears to be a challenging 2024 for the Mets.
To see which direction the team is headed, the upcoming game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 ET tonight is a must-watch.
Jorge Lopez's Ejection and Post-Game Rant
In a month marred by underperformance, the New York Mets have solidified their position as the least successful team in Major League Baseball, a sentiment echoed, intentionally or not, by Jorge Lopez. This period of struggle was punctuated by a recent debacle against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field, a game aimed at preventing a series sweep but instead highlighting the team's ongoing issues.
Adam Ottavino was called upon in the eighth inning with the score tied at three, only to allow a leadoff homer to Will Smith, followed by a cascade of runs resulting from a mix of hits and walks. Lopez, stepping in for Ottavino, contributed to the downturn with a two-run homer by Shohei Ohtani. His subsequent altercation with an umpire over a non-strike call, culminating in his ejection and a dramatic glove toss into the stands, became a symbol of the team's frustrations.
This moment of venting, while potentially relatable to fans driven to similar points of exasperation, underscored a lack of professionalism that the Mets organization could not overlook.
The debate over Lopez's post-game remarks (below), possibly misconstrued due to language barriers, does little to mitigate the situation. His actions and words, suggesting either personal failure or a team-wide deficiency, led to his designation for assignment—a move that might have aligned with his desires, reminiscent of a dramatic exit worthy of cinematic history.
