Mets followers had been hoping Cedric Mullins would convey a spark to the lineup when the staff traded for him on the deadline, however to this point, the outcomes simply haven’t been there.
In Monday’s 1-0 loss to the Phillies, Mullins went 0-for-2, extending his hitless streak to 26 at-bats. His final knock got here again on August 24, a ninth-inning single towards the Braves — which means he hasn’t recorded a success in over two weeks.
With Jose Siri working his manner again from a fractured left tibia and described by supervisor Carlos Mendoza as “getting shut” to returning, the strain is constructing on Mullins to supply. The veteran outfielder is aware of it.
Try Mullins at about 2:30 speak about his current stoop and what he’s doing to get again int this groove.
“I believe I’m simply attempting to concentrate on contributing to a win,” Mullins mentioned. “That could possibly be including slightly strain, but it surely comes with the territory. Working diligently every day to get higher.”
Mendoza has been clear about what he’s seen on the plate. “I don’t learn about strain, however we haven’t seen the outcomes,” he mentioned. “He’s a extremely good participant and I do know he desires to contribute, however we’ve bought to assist him. As a result of I really feel like he’s lacking good pitches to hit.”
Earlier than his stoop, Mullins was swinging the bat pretty nicely, going 16-for-66 (.242) with a .716 OPS throughout 20 video games. That stretch included six extra-base hits, six RBIs, and 5 stolen bases, which is precisely what the Mets envisioned once they introduced him in. However now he’s placing out at a 27.3% clip, practically seven factors increased than his profession mark of 20.4%, and 4 factors increased than the 23.4% he carried via his first 20 video games with New York.
Mullins is aware of the place issues have gone mistaken. “A mix of some issues,” he mentioned. “I’m late on the fastball, chasing slightly bit. Issues I can type of clear as much as see the ball slightly bit higher, and preserve engaged on the swing.”
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is standing by the commerce and believes Mullins will come round. “He’s a great participant who hasn’t gotten his stride right here fairly but, and that’s going to occur typically,” Stearns advised Jon Heyman of the New York Publish. “However we’ve bought loads of baseball left and he’s going to maintain enjoying, and we predict he’s going to be a giant a part of it. Gamers are going to undergo ups and down via the course of the yr. It’s a part of doing enterprise on the commerce deadline that you’re coping with a smaller portion of the season. And it won’t be going completely proper out of the chute. However he’s a great participant and we’ve bought religion that he’s going to assist us.”
The optics of the Mullins deal don’t assist, particularly with division-rival Philadelphia selecting up ex-Met Harrison Bader on the deadline. Bader has been sizzling for the Phillies, solely including to the frustration in Queens as Mullins tries to snap out of his funk.
A former All-Star and Silver Slugger with Baltimore, Mullins is not any stranger to changes. He made historical past in 2021 by becoming a member of MLB’s 30-30 membership, turning into simply the sixty fifth participant ever to hit 30 residence runs and swipe 30 luggage in the identical season.
Now, with the Mets battling for a Wild Card spot, they want him to search out that kind once more and shortly. As Mullins himself put it, “I’m looking for that adjustment that will get me going. I really feel like I had it at one level and simply misplaced it … however I’m going to maintain working.”
