The New York Mets may be the most disappointing team in all of baseball.
Their $346 million payroll is the highest in North American professional sports history, and after a 101-win season last year, they are currently 35-43 and 8.5 games out of the postseason.
The Mets are 5-16 in their last 21 games, and own the third-worst record in baseball since April 22, prompting many Mets fans to ask for Buck Showalter’s job just seven months later. that he was named National League Manager of the Year. .
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Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets talks with manager Buck Showalter #11 in the dugout before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on September 21, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Patricio McDermott/Getty Images)
That’s not even a thought in the Mets’ locker room, though, says their star shortstop.
«Buck is one of the best coaches in the league», Francisco Lindor told SNY. «Hundred percent.»
From the outside looking in, it seems easy to say that Showalter has lost the clubhouse. But Lindor says that couldn’t be further from the truth.
«He hasn’t lost the team,» Lindor said. «He’s still up front. He’s still holding on to the clubhouse. I told him last year, if he posts, I’ll post. And he’d posted every day.»
Showalter has been a four-time Manager of the Year, winning each time in a different decade. He has been managing on and off since 1992, so Lindor couldn’t imagine another man leading the team, despite his porous season thus far.
New York Mets manager Buck Showalter, left, celebrates with Francisco Lindor after a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Friday, May 12, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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«Literally every phase we’ve been through, he’s already done it multiple times in his career,» Lindor said. «He’s been manager of the year. He’s had a team that wasn’t performing at the level that he was supposed to.»
«He’s our leader. He’s the one who holds us the most accountable day in and day out. And he’s the perfect guy to get through what we’re going through right now. He’s helped a lot to quiet the noise…
«He is a special coach, and not just a coach, he is a special person. He always stands up for his players.»
Mets fans have been saying that all the mental mistakes the team has made lie with Showalter for not preparing his players: BS, says Lindor.
«The mental errors that we make are a reflection of the coach? We are professionals. Mental errors are going to happen,» he said. «It has nothing to do with the manager. It’s us. The manager can go out and put up a great lineup. The front office can go out and put up a great lineup. If we don’t hit, or if he doesn’t run the bases the right way, it’s hard to win.»
General manager Billy Eppler, who has deservedly received his fair share of criticism, said Tuesday that Showalter’s job is safe.
«I think he’s the guy who’s going to help us get back on track.» eppler saidAnd he added that he and the coaching staff «deserve an opportunity for this to continue, and all the support we can give them.»
Port St. Lucie, FL: New York Mets manager Buck Showalter speaks to the media during spring training on February 14, 2023 in Port St. Lucie, FL. (Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
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The Mets were thought of as a potential World Series favorite in spring training with what many thought would be a stacked rotation led by Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Yet Mets starters have pitched to a 4.89 ERA this season, fifth-worst in baseball. Their offense ranks 19th in batting average and 20th in OPS, categories in which they finished second and sixth last season, respectively.
Showalter signed a three-year contract before the 2022 season. He previously managed the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles.