N.Y. Mets: A Buffalo Sized Problem Behind Home Plate

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

California Snoozing

Catcher Wilson Ramos is putting his full repertoire of deficiencies on full display this weekend at San Francisco.  Had he been playing in the sweltering heat presently roasting New York City, I'd perhaps be fractionally more empathetic towards his plight.  After all he carries a big frame on deteriorating knees.  But while playing in the oddly cool July weather of San Francisco Bay I'll entertain no excuse.

Two plays in particular highlight what is to date four month's worth of deteriorating skills, remarkable indifference, or just plain old ineptitude - pick your poison.  There is the tenth inning of Friday's game in which he fails to properly align himself for an inbound relay throw from left fielder Dom Smith and Todd Frazier from third.  Dom Smith's initial error not withstanding, being out of position to receive an otherwise accurate throw from Frazier turns out being the final act of the game.  During Saturday's affair he offers what has become a habitually lazy backhand stab at pitches out of the strike zone.  This latest infraction occurred on a fastball low and away.  I watched that play three times (via magic of the rewind button) and came away convinced Ramos was trying to get out of the way!  Just remember jest is embedded with little grains of truth.

With nine passed balls through 89 games played, he is now one away from tying his career high of ten set during the 2016 season.  His five fielding errors are likewise just three away from his career high of eight set during the 2013 season.  His -6 DRS (according to Fangraphs) is presently a career low.  Moreover his rate of caught stealing registers at an embarrassing 14% which is barely half of the National League (27%) average.  In fact, there so far have been 62 stolen bases on his watch - easily the highest number of his career.  The Mets are 98 games into the season with 64 left to play.  With the dog days of summer dead ahead, dare I ponder what lies ahead.

In the meantime Brodie's free agent acquisition is proving himself to be a non-conducive element towards any potential team success.  Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Jason Vargas have all intimated their preference for Tomas Nido behind the plate.  Said another way, the Mets have battery issues.  He turns 32-years old in 20 more days, and is priced reasonably well for next season at $10 million (with a club option in 2021).  Yet as the trade deadline approaches reports indicate there's nary a team in sight expressing interest in his services.

I wonder why.