Mets use meeting to address most troubling offensive issue: ‘Need to own that'

New York Post

27-05-2025

The Mets addressed a season-long problem before Tuesday's game against the White Sox at Citi Field, with Eric Chavez saying he was going to discuss the issue of hitting with runners in scoring position.
It's not the first time the Mets hitting coach has had to deal with the topic with his hitters, who have been bad in those situations for much of the year — but it's gotten worse instead of better.
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After they followed up a 10-for-17 performance in a 19-5 win over Washington on April 28 by going 2-for-2 in an 8-3 victory against Arizona one day later, the Mets have been in a tailspin at the plate.
Heading into Tuesday, they were 38-for-202 with runners in scoring position in their previous 24 games, good for just a .188 average. That's lower than their already ugly .211 mark for the season, which is better than only their opponents Tuesday night — the last-place White Sox.
'We're talking about it today,'' Chavez said before the game. 'It's been bad. We all know that. We're not gonna hide from it. We're not running from it. We've got to turn it around.'
Chavez said he was going into the meeting with an open mind and no specific demands of the hitters.
3 Jeff McNeil reactss in frustration after striking out the Mets' win over the White Sox on May 26, 2025.
Robert Sabo for NY Post
Instead, he believed it was important to make sure the team knew the current situation was not sustainable.
'It's not good enough,'' Chavez said. 'We're better hitters than what we've shown in those spots. We need to own that and we'll see how it goes.'
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Following a delayed batting practice on the field, Jeff McNeil said the message of the meeting was simple: 'We've just got to get the job done. It hasn't happened enough.'
Among the main culprits are Juan Soto (.130 heading into Tuesday, seventh worst in the majors among qualified hitters), Mark Vientos (.133, eighth worst) and Francisco Lindor (.152, 14th worst).
'We just talked about our approach in those situations,'' Vientos said. 'It's good to talk about stuff you're struggling with. Hopefully it turns around soon. We believe it will.'
Throughout the season, the Mets have said stars like Soto and Lindor wouldn't continue to fail to come through.
3 Juan Soto reacts after he flies out during the first inning during the Mets' win over the Dodgers on May 24.
JASON SZENES/NY POST
Soto hit .345 with runners in scoring position last year with the Yankees, which was seventh best in the sport.
Perhaps the final two innings of Monday's win over the White Sox was a positive sign for both Soto and Lindor — even though they didn't necessarily help their overall numbers.
Down 1-0 in the eighth — and without a hit with runners in scoring position all game — the Mets got a game-tying sacrifice fly to left from Soto. An inning later, Lindor won the game with a sacrifice fly to right with the bases loaded that plated Tyrone Taylor.
On the day, the only hit with runners in scoring position came from Luis Torrens, whose single loaded the bases for Lindor.
3 Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) reacts after flying out in the 10th inning during the Mets' loss to the Dodgers on May 23, 2025.
Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Mets managed to win their third straight thanks to a strong start from Clay Holmes and excellent work from the bullpen — as well as the fact that the White Sox lived up to their reputation and went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
'We know we need to improve,'' Chavez said. 'Let's give this some time and see where we are in a week or two.'