3 New York Mets to blame for disappointing start to season

DETROIT, MI - MAY 3: Pitcher Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets walks through the dugout after being removed from the game against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning of game two of a doubleheader at Comerica Park on May 3, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

2 of 3

Starling Marte, New York Mets. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

2. Starling Marte has been a shell of himself in the Mets lineup

Though he might not carry the same caché with his name that some of his Mets teammates do, Starling Marte figured to be one of the key cogs of the lineup this season, especially after a year ago when he was a machine for this club, slashing .292/.347/.468 while registering 45 extra-base hits and 76 runs on the season in only 118 games.

Instead of the Mets getting a full season of that version of Marte, they are getting arguably the worst version of the veteran outfielder that we’ve ever seen in his career.

For the 2023 season over 31 games, Marte is slashing a measly .223/.298/.286 for the year (that slugging percentage is truly brutal) with only four extra-base hits (one home run) and only eight RBI and 11 runs scored.

Marte has registered at least a 1.0 WAR or higher for every season that he’s been in the majors, which is since 2012. After this start to the year in New York, though, he’s at -0.3 WAR for the season. That’s highly indicative how little impact he’s had in this lineup this season.

With the Mets trying to find consistent bats outside of Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and, with more pop and less average, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, Marte playing at this low of a level just isn’t going to cut it.

Home/New York Mets