It started with a sprint. Juan Soto charged into foul territory, snatched a line drive on the run, and fired a rocket to third base to hold the runner. The crowd at Citi Field erupted. For a moment, it felt like momentum had finally shifted. But three batters later, the Mets went quietly, stranding yet another baserunner, and the energy evaporated. Again.
They’ve dropped five out of their last six games, and honestly, it’s starting to show. You can bet their MLB power rankings are going to take a hit after this week. The pitching staff? They’ve actually been solid, but the real issue is the lineup. Soto has lived up to his billing—grinding out at-bats, flashing the leather, and bringing leadership to a roster in desperate need of direction. But there’s only so much one player can do. The rest of the lineup has failed to find its rhythm, and now, nearly two months into the season, the Mets are staring down an all-too-familiar problem: big payroll, big names, and not nearly enough runs.
That tension is starting to trigger action. So, what’s next? Well, according to MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, there’s some buzz about the Mets possibly calling up a prospect from Triple-A. Apparently, the front office is looking for a spark, and bringing up a young, hungry player could be just what the team needs to shake things up. “The Mets’ weak offensive performance has led to considering the possibility of calling up Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A,” Rodriguez reported on X.
“This player has performed excellently, as he has achieved 5 hits in 9 at-bats, including a double and a home run. If Mauricio continues on this path and the team’s offense does not improve, his call-up could be imminent,” he added, according to his sources.
According to my sources, the Mets’ weak offensive performance has led to considering the possibility of calling up Ronny Mauricio from AAA. This player has performed excellently, as he has achieved 5 hits in 9 at-bats, including a double and a home run. If Mauricio continues on… pic.twitter.com/thFZRZhEZq
— Mike Rodriguez (@mikedeportes) May 21, 2025
And that’s not just lip service. The Mets are watching closely. Mauricio, who’s rebounding from an ACL injury, has looked electric in limited action with Syracuse. The sample size is small, but the impact? Loud. In a lineup gasping for any kind of life, his early surge is the kind of signal that’s hard to ignore.
However, the idea isn’t without risk. Mauricio is coming off a serious injury, and the last thing the Mets want is to rush a cornerstone player. But inaction has its cost too, one only magnified by a payroll worth $300 million. If the offense keeps falling flat, and Mauricio keeps hitting, the equation becomes simple: the Mets need a spark, and he’s standing in Syracuse with a lit match.
Mets’ offensive gaps exposed
Let’s not sugarcoat it, the Mets’ lineup has been leaking runs like a boat with no bucket. Through mid-May, they ranked bottom third in the National League in both runs scored and slugging percentage. While Soto’s arrival was supposed to create a ripple effect throughout the lineup, what we’ve seen instead is a troubling pattern: runners getting on, then getting stranded. The situational hitting just isn’t there. They’ve hit into 35 double plays already—among the highest in the league, and their .213 batting average with runners in scoring position ranks near the cellar. That’s not just bad luck; it’s bad execution.
May 11, 2025, Queens, New York, USA: Juan Soto 22 of the New York Mets flys out during MLB, Baseball Herren, USA game Chicago Cubs at NY Metes at Citi Field Queens USA – ZUMAc268 20250511_zsp_c268_010 Copyright: xJamesxPatrickxCooperx
Now, look deeper, and the holes become more obvious. Brett Baty, once touted as the long-term answer at third base, is hitting just .221 with an OBP under .290. His defense has improved, but at this point, glove work alone isn’t enough to justify everyday reps. The DH spot? It’s been a revolving door of mediocrity. J.D. Martinez, who was signed to provide power, has struggled to find his timing, slugging under .400 and often chasing pitches outside the zone. Combine that with inconsistent production from the bottom third of the order—players like Tyrone Taylor and Jose Iglesias, and you’ve got a lineup that regularly fizzles after the fifth batter.
Manager Carlos Mendoza recently admitted the shortcomings, saying, “Overall, we’re going through it—no doubt about it. We’re having a hard time putting guys on consistently. When we do get those guys on, we’re having a hard time getting them in.” So what’s the fix? It starts with being bold. Like promoting Mauricio and giving him a real chance at DH or even third base, let Martinez reset mentally, or use him situationally. They’ll also need to shake up the batting order, move up guys who are seeing the ball well, like Brandon Nimmo or Starling Marte, and drop underperformers down.
And maybe, just maybe, explore the trade market early. Because one thing’s clear: the Mets can’t afford to wait for things to “click” while the season slips away.
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