Mets mid-season report

 To say that the Mets exceeded expectations in the 1st half would actually be accurate.

Jacob deGrom has not pitched in a game. A recent shoulder issue is delaying his return just a wee bit longer. However, the Mets usually do have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to pitching. Tylor Megill got the opening day start in place of deGrom, and did his best impression of the 2-time Cy Young winner as an opening act for 3-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.

Scherzer himself went down with an oblique strain, and returned a couple of weeks back. He's been lights out since returning, and will start tomorrow vs. San Diego. Despite his contributions, so-called "experts" online are predicting lefty David Peterson, a 2nd year man, would be included in a trade package for disgruntled Washington outfielder Juan Soto.

The Mets do not need to mortgage their future to get Soto, who has a couple more years left on his Washington contract. Period.

The Met outfield is fine as is, as long as Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo, & Starling Marte remain healthy. Travis Jankowski is a fine backup, has speed, and can be used in the late innings for defense and/or as a pinch runner.

Those same "experts", usually talk radio jabronies with little else to do, are also whining over the lack of production of infielders JD Davis & Dominic Smith, with the latter the subject of trade talks during the All-Star Break involving the Cubs & Boston. They also have ragged on Eduardo Escobar, but he's recently picked up stream as his bat has gotten hot. Then again, they do have two All-Stars on the right side of the infield in Pete Alonso & Jeff McNeil. Luis Guillorme has been for the infield what Jankowski has been in the outfield, a dependable fill-in.

In terms of pitching, the Mets simply need to fix the bridge to closer Edwin Diaz, who has been ridiculous the last few weeks. If it means parting with Seth Lugo, so be it. Diminishing returns have hurt him in the 1st half. They lost Sean Reid-Foley for the season, and they can't wait for Trevor May to return.

Prediction: The Mets still have interleague games with Oakland and the Yankees, with part 1 of the Subway Series on tap next week. Back in the NL, they still have to play Pittsburgh, and finish business with the Cubs, among other things. Barring a collapse, they will own the East, though I suspect Atlanta will still overtake them, but it won't be enough to deny Buck Showalter another trip to the post-season. In other words, they're more likely to be a Wild Card instead of their 1st division title since 2015.