Just Mets

The New York Mets are in first place. It’s really rather incredible.

With the incredible rash of injuries they’ve had, back-and-forth rotation structures, offensive brown-outs and defensive miscues, it shouldn’t be possible.

But, here the Mets are with a rather uninspiring 36-32 record, somehow maintaining a 1 1/2 game lead in the National League East.

I haven’t even mentioned the Nationals yet. Coming into the season, Washington was the predetermined National League East–and in a lot of cases World Series–champion by many out there. It’s safe to say that over halfway through June now that these Nationals have underachieved–by a long shot.

The Nationals have had injuries woes of their own–albeit not as many as the Mets have endured–and it’s affected them to an extent.

Stephen Strasburg–who was pitching close to an ERA of 7.00–is on the disabled list along with the perceived big bats in their lineup, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth–both of whom were having down offensive seasons prior to their injuries. 

They just got Doug Fister back from the disabled list on Thursday, and he’s pitched okay for them. The baseball world held their breath when Bryce Harper went down holding his knee in right field yesterday, but according to Nats manager Matt Williams, it’s just a mild hamstring strain.

Still, after the Nationals lost yet again yesterday, the Mets have a huge opportunity here that they’ve yet to take advantage of. Even as the Mets are 9-11 in their last 20 games, and have lost two in row, first place is theirs.

For now, anyway.

The Mets have issues themselves, that much is clear. Their defense is unacceptable, the bullpen has been shaky of late and their offense continues to go through peaks and valleys. We’re reaching the end of June now, right when the trade market begins to percolate, and the Mets need to take advantage of their position and Washington’s inconsistencies and own misfortunes.

Whether or not David Wright comes back, whether or not he performs like the David of old, this team needs to add offense. They’ve gotten Travis d’Arnaud and Dilson Herrera back, and Daniel Murphy is expected to make his return on Tuesday, but this team still doesn’t have enough consistency on offense to survive, and the defense is most certainly not passable.

Whether it’s a versatile player such as a Ben Zobrist or Martin Prado or one of the flashier names out there like Todd Frazier, Aroldis Chapman or Jean Segura, among others, the Mets have to go out there and do something while they’re still in position to contend.

After all the talk in camp, the swagger and confidence which was on display early in the season, there’s no reason for them to. It follow suit and improve the roster. 

The basic ingredients are here for a run in 2015, it’s clear. Now the Mets need to even out the edges and plug their holes.

The overwhelming perception is that at some point, Washington will catch fire and run away with this division. Certainly, they can be expected to make a deal or two to fix their problems.

Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. Either way, the Mets should not sit around and wait to find out.