New York Mets' 2015 First Half Report Card

New York Mets' 2015 First Half Report Card

By Bryan Zarpentine

July 13, 2015

New York Mets' 2015 First Half Report Card

The New York Mets have had an up and down first half of the 2015 season, but heading into the all-star break the Mets are five games over .500 and just two games out of first place. Things haven't necessarily gone according to plan, but the Mets are in good shape heading into the second half. But before the second half gets underway, let's hand out grades for how the Mets have performed during the first half of the 2015 season.

The New York Mets have had an up and down first half of the 2015 season, but heading into the all-star break the Mets are five games over .500 and just two games out of first place. Things haven't necessarily gone according to plan, but the Mets are in good shape heading into the second half. But before the second half gets underway, let's hand out grades for how the Mets have performed during the first half of the 2015 season.

Starting Rotation - A

Jacob deGrom

Starting Rotation - A

Jacob deGrom — The Mets can't ask for much more than they've gotten out of their staring rotation this season. Jacob deGrom looks like a Cy Young candidate, Matt Harvey looks solid, Bartolo Colon has had a strong first half, and even Jon Niese has started to come around. Also, the newest members of the rotation, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz, have been as advertised, which could make the Mets' rotation even better in the second half.

The Mets can't ask for much more than they've gotten out of their staring rotation this season. Jacob deGrom looks like a Cy Young candidate, Matt Harvey looks solid, Bartolo Colon has had a strong first half, and even Jon Niese has started to come around. Also, the newest members of the rotation, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz, have been as advertised, which could make the Mets' rotation even better in the second half.

Bullpen - A

New York Mets

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Bullpen - A

New York Mets — The Mets' bullpen has been one of the team's biggest surprises this season, considering the amount of injuries and absences New York has endured. New York's bullpen has the fifth lowest ERA in the majors, and has been led by a magnificent performance by closer Jeurys Familia and positive contributions from several unexpected sources. With Jenrry Mejia and Bobby Parnell back in the fold, the Mets' bullpen still has room to improve moving forward.

The Mets' bullpen has been one of the team's biggest surprises this season, considering the amount of injuries and absences New York has endured. New York's bullpen has the fifth lowest ERA in the majors, and has been led by a magnificent performance by closer Jeurys Familia and positive contributions from several unexpected sources. With Jenrry Mejia and Bobby Parnell back in the fold, the Mets' bullpen still has room to improve moving forward.

Catcher - C-

Travis d'Arnaud New York Mets

Catcher - C-

Travis d'Arnaud New York Mets — When Travis d'Arnaud has been healthy, he's been great, but he's missed so much time due to injury, leaving the Mets with little offensive production at that position. Kevin Plawecki has slowly improved, but he's still finding his way in the big leagues and has not yet become a reliable and consistent offensive force. If d'Arnaud returns, the Mets will be fine behind the plate; otherwise, they may not get much out of that position.

When Travis d'Arnaud has been healthy, he's been great, but he's missed so much time due to injury, leaving the Mets with little offensive production at that position. Kevin Plawecki has slowly improved, but he's still finding his way in the big leagues and has not yet become a reliable and consistent offensive force. If d'Arnaud returns, the Mets will be fine behind the plate; otherwise, they may not get much out of that position.

First Base - C

New York Mets

First Base - C

New York Mets — Lucas Duda got off to a great start for the Mets and looked like a serious candidate to make the all-star team, but he has been in a slump for over a month, and it's really dragged the Mets down. Defensively, Duda continues to improve, which has been great, but the Mets need Duda to hit the ball out of the park and drive in runs, and he simply has not done enough of that during the first half of the season.

Lucas Duda got off to a great start for the Mets and looked like a serious candidate to make the all-star team, but he has been in a slump for over a month, and it's really dragged the Mets down. Defensively, Duda continues to improve, which has been great, but the Mets need Duda to hit the ball out of the park and drive in runs, and he simply has not done enough of that during the first half of the season.

Second Base - D

Charles LeClaire USA TODAY-Sports

Second Base - D

Charles LeClaire USA TODAY-Sports — Second base has been a bit of a mess for New York this season. Daniel Murphy was terrible throughout April, and while he did get it together, he also missed a significant chunk of time due to injury, leaving an overmatched Dilson Herrera to man the position for awhile. Things appear to be improving with Wilmer Flores taking over, but second base was a weakness for the Mets for much of the first half.

Second base has been a bit of a mess for New York this season. Daniel Murphy was terrible throughout April, and while he did get it together, he also missed a significant chunk of time due to injury, leaving an overmatched Dilson Herrera to man the position for awhile. Things appear to be improving with Wilmer Flores taking over, but second base was a weakness for the Mets for much of the first half.

Shortstop - C

Wilmer Flores Mets

Shortstop - C

Wilmer Flores Mets — Wilmer Flores has been more or less what we expected him to be. His defense was suspect at times, but he did give the Mets a fair amount of power. Overall, the defensive shortcomings were balanced out by Flores' power, making the Mets average at shortstop, and now that Ruben Tejada is the every day shortstop, the Mets shouldn't expect much of an upgrade at that position during the second half of the season.

Wilmer Flores has been more or less what we expected him to be. His defense was suspect at times, but he did give the Mets a fair amount of power. Overall, the defensive shortcomings were balanced out by Flores' power, making the Mets average at shortstop, and now that Ruben Tejada is the every day shortstop, the Mets shouldn't expect much of an upgrade at that position during the second half of the season.

Third Base - F

David Wright

Third Base - F

David Wright — The absence of David Wright has made the Mets the least productive team in the majors at third base. It's only recently that the Mets have a solution with Daniel Murphy moving to third base, but before that the likes of Eric Campbell, Ruben Tejada, and others did not give New York much production, making third base a black hole in the team's lineup, something that has to change in the second half if Wright can't make it back.

The absence of David Wright has made the Mets the least productive team in the majors at third base. It's only recently that the Mets have a solution with Daniel Murphy moving to third base, but before that the likes of Eric Campbell, Ruben Tejada, and others did not give New York much production, making third base a black hole in the team's lineup, something that has to change in the second half if Wright can't make it back.

Outfield - D

Mets Celebrate Win

Outfield - D

Mets Celebrate Win — Just like years past, the Mets' outfield is a huge problem. To be fair, Curtis Granderson has been fine as the team's leadoff hitter, but Juan Lagares has been slowed by a series of minor injuries and Michael Cuddyer is falling short of even the most modest of expectations. Realistically, Lagares needs more days off, Cuddyer and Granderson should be in a platoon, and the Mets need to add another outfielder for the second half of the season.

Just like years past, the Mets' outfield is a huge problem. To be fair, Curtis Granderson has been fine as the team's leadoff hitter, but Juan Lagares has been slowed by a series of minor injuries and Michael Cuddyer is falling short of even the most modest of expectations. Realistically, Lagares needs more days off, Cuddyer and Granderson should be in a platoon, and the Mets need to add another outfielder for the second half of the season.

Bench - F

Kirk Nieuwenhuis New York Mets Beard

Bench - F

Kirk Nieuwenhuis New York Mets Beard — With all the injuries the Mets have suffered, the team's bench has provided little support. Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Anthony Recker struggled to the point of being demoted, Ruben Tejada has been solid at best, and John Mayberry is still hitting under .200. New York pinch hitters are batting .151 with no home runs and a mere seven RBIs, which is beyond dreadful for a team that needs its ancillary players to step up.

With all the injuries the Mets have suffered, the team's bench has provided little support. Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Anthony Recker struggled to the point of being demoted, Ruben Tejada has been solid at best, and John Mayberry is still hitting under .200. New York pinch hitters are batting .151 with no home runs and a mere seven RBIs, which is beyond dreadful for a team that needs its ancillary players to step up.

Manager - B-

Terry Collins

Manager - B-

Terry Collins — Many Mets fans aren't exactly enamored with Terry Collins, but he can hardly be to blame for the injuries that have held the team back. Some of the fundamental mishaps that have cost the team games may be linked to Collins, but the team is five games over .500 at the break, and considering the absences of Wright, d'Arnaud, and others, asking Collins to produce a record much better than that would be unfair.

Many Mets fans aren't exactly enamored with Terry Collins, but he can hardly be to blame for the injuries that have held the team back. Some of the fundamental mishaps that have cost the team games may be linked to Collins, but the team is five games over .500 at the break, and considering the absences of Wright, d'Arnaud, and others, asking Collins to produce a record much better than that would be unfair.

Front Office - D

New York Mets Winter Meetings

Front Office - D

New York Mets Winter Meetings — Mets' GM Sandy Alderson didn't make many moves this offseason, but those he did make have not worked out, namely the signings of Cuddyer and Mayberry. The trade for Alex Torres is also a bit questionable. Of course, most notable is the fact that Alderson has not been able to make a trade to help the Mets' struggling offense, which has been a huge disappointment for a team in need of outside help.

Mets' GM Sandy Alderson didn't make many moves this offseason, but those he did make have not worked out, namely the signings of Cuddyer and Mayberry. The trade for Alex Torres is also a bit questionable. Of course, most notable is the fact that Alderson has not been able to make a trade to help the Mets' struggling offense, which has been a huge disappointment for a team in need of outside help.

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New York Mets

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