Hottest seats on the New York Mets

Despite boasting the highest payroll in MLB history, the New York Mets are a .500 ball club 60 games into the 2023 season.

With the majority of the roster underperforming, it's hard to pinpoint a single cause for the team's inconsistent performance. Nonetheless, here are the Mets occupying the hottest seats as the season teeters on the brink of unraveling:  

1. Francisco Lindor, shortstop 

The $341 million man isn't having as disappointing a start as his debut season in Queens, but the early results starkly contrast with last year's stellar effort. Even though Lindor's glove remains as elite as they come, and his 40 RBI are tied for the most by a shortstop this season, he's striking out at a career-high 23.4% clip. 

In the Mets' last series, a sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays, Lindor was 1-for-12, striking out eight times. Lindor has appeared in every game this season after playing 161 games a year ago. As much as it's commendable that he strives to maintain his availability, he has been an offensive liability lately.

The biggest area the switch hitter will need to improve quickly is his approach from the left side of the plate. Against right-handers, Lindor is batting .199 with 43 strikeouts compared to his .243 average and 18 K's versus lefties. 

2. Billy Eppler, general manager 

Although reigning Manager of the Year Buck Showalter has made his share of questionable decisions this season, he can only work with what he's been given. Record payroll aside, the roster Eppler constructed isn't living up to the expectations of a fringe playoff contender, let alone a team with championship aspirations. 

The former Angels GM was trusted with owner Steve Cohen's substantial financial resources to address the team's plethora of needs, and it's almost impressive to see how little has changed. Last season, it was evident that the Mets' lineup needed more power, and the issue simply wasn't tackled during the offseason. 

Now, most of New York's top offensive players are experiencing regression after flourishing last season. As a result, the Mets rank 20th among teams in batting average (.241) and 22nd in OPS (.713). 

If the season doesn't turn around soon, Eppler may find himself as a scapegoat for the Mets' shortcomings, and it's difficult to argue that such a move would be unjustified.

3. Pitching staff

While some may be surprised that Daniel Vogelbach isn't included on this list, a platoon DH on a one-year, $1.5 million deal was never going to dictate the season's outcome. What does ultimately determine the success of a team is pitching, and the Mets staff is woefully inadequate. 

The Mets' 4.49 team ERA is the fifth-worst in the National League and their 80 home runs allowed are the fifth-most in the majors. 

Future Hall of Famers Justin Verlander (4.25 ERA) and Max Scherzer (3.21 ERA) both haven't fully settled in this season, though there is hope they're turning the corner. Right-hander Kodai Senga (3.75 ERA) has difficulties finding the strike zone, but as he acclimates to MLB and the United States as a whole, he should become more reliable.

Three efficient starters can win a playoff series, but lacking depth has been detrimental to New York's early struggles. Carlos Carrasco (5.74 ERA) looks more like his 2021 self, and offseason signing José Quintana is yet to pitch this season due to injury.

Additionally, young arms Tylor Megill (4.40 ERA) and David Peterson (8.08 ERA, now in Triple-A) have shown they weren't the luxury depth pieces New York believed it had.  

The lack of quality starts the Mets have received has led to them relying on mop-up relievers in high-leverage situations. Tommy Hunter (6.00 ERA) is already approaching the number of innings pitched from last season, and Stephen Nogosek (5.55 ERA) has already exceeded his 2022 workload. 

Acquiring an innings-eating starter that can hopefully anchor the rotation should be New York's top priority at the trade deadline.