In better circumstances, Juan Soto returning from injury for the New York Mets’ upcoming homestand might have been a relief.
After eleven consecutive losses, most recently to the Cubs in extra innings on Sunday, Soto’s return feels almost insignificant. The Mets are now 7-15, last in the NL East.
They share the worst record in baseball with the Kansas City Royals. Even the Nationals during their 2019 championship season, despite being under .500 for much of it, were never the league’s worst team, with only a five-game losing streak at the longest.
According to Max Goodman at NJ.com, the Mets have been exceptionally poor:
What’s the problem? Has manager Carlos Mendoza lost the team? The players don’t think so.
“He’s done a fantastic job. This is not on him,” shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “It comes down to us. Mendy is our guy, he’s our leader, he’s in control and he’s done a tremendous job. We just haven’t executed. It would be unfair to put everything on him.”
“He doesn’t swing a bat and he doesn’t throw a baseball”, added closer Devin Williams. “We’re not performing.”
Lindor went 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Sunday, and his first home run, a solo shot, came just last Tuesday. That home run is also his only RBI.
Williams blew a save in the ninth, allowing the Cubs to tie the game. Although it was his first blown save, his ERA is a dismal 7.11.
Both players are correct. The 11-game losing streak stems from the lineup failing to step up in Soto’s absence. Before his injury, he was batting .355, and the team also lost slugger Pete Alonso in free agency. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo was traded for Marcus Semien
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