The New York Mets have been struggling this season, and their first-year manager Carlos Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns have been trying various approaches to turn things around. One area they are now addressing is second base, where the team has received below-average production.
One player feeling the impact of this is Jeff McNeil, the National League’s batting champion from two years ago. McNeil has spent the past two nights on the bench, making it the third time in five games. This decision comes as no surprise to some veteran players in the clubhouse, as they believe that no player should consider themselves untouchable based on past performance.
McNeil’s struggles at the plate have been evident this season. He has a batting average of .227, a significant drop from his .326 mark in 2022 when he led the majors. He’s also hitting too many fly balls and infield pop-ups, resulting in not enough line drives. In the Mets’ recent 10-game homestand, McNeil only managed to go 5-for-32 with one extra-base hit. His defensive performance has also been subpar.
Despite McNeil’s benching, Mendoza assures that he is still their second baseman and an important part of the team moving forward. However, Mendoza remains noncommittal about whether McNeil will start in the next game against the Washington Nationals, who are expected to throw a left-handed starter.
In McNeil’s absence, Jose Iglesias, a veteran right-handed batter known for his defense, has taken over at second base. Iglesias has brought positive energy to the team, going 6-for-15 since being called up last week. He has expressed feeling like a rookie again after not playing in the majors since 2022.
The decision to bench McNeil was met with understanding within the Mets’ clubhouse. The team recently held a players-only meeting to discuss the need for increased accountability. Mendoza has prioritized building relationships with his players since the offseason and spring training. While tough conversations are never easy, Mendoza believes in earning his players’ respect so they can understand where he’s coming from.
Overall, the Mets are hopeful that McNeil will figure things out and return to form. In the meantime, they will continue to make decisions that they believe will benefit the team in the long run.
(Photo of McNeil: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)