Alvarez, Baty Raise Questions While Providing Answers

The New York Mets finally got some production from the bottom of their lineup, as Francisco Alvarez homered twice and Brett Baty chipped in with a solo home run of his own in New York's 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. All three homers were solo shots, in fact, but they also raised as many questions as they answered. 

Are Baty and Alvarez trade chips, or are they keepers? They could be either now that the Mets are reportedly “open for business,” but the first two players out the door will be relievers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter, both of whom are textbook rentals. 

Baty’s had a rough go of it this year. The Mets suddenly asked him to become a super utility player after the sudden signing of infielder Bo Bichette, and it didn’t go well, especially in right field. Moving around the diamond seemed to affect Baty’s hitting approach, as he began chasing to the point where his average dropped close to the Mendoza line. 

“I don’t think it’s been good at all,” Baty said of his season to date in a piece written by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “I hold myself to a way higher standard than the way I’ve been playing. I think these last two or so weeks have been the kind of player I am -- hitting the ball hard and playing good defense. And that’s all I can really control, so that’s what I’m going to try to continue to do.”

But Baty has been hitting around .300 lately, and that seems tied in with finding a home at second base. Plenty of teams would value him at the deadline, and in a variety of roles, so that’s one question the Mets are going to have to answer. 

Alvarez raises a different question. We know he can hit for power, but he’s been hurt a lot, plus he’s not a great defensive catcher and his focus on the field can be sketchy at times. He could still get 20 home runs this year despite being out for a month with a meniscus tear, and that would also have a lot value on the trade market. 

“It’s as much power as you’re ever going to see in the nine hole,” interim manager Andy Green said. “It probably means he doesn’t really belong in the nine hole. But there were some great swings from him, and Brett Baty continues to swing the bat really well, too.” 

These are the kinds of questions that could get answered in the next two weeks, though, especially for trade bubble players like Baty and Alvarez. The Mets aren’t playing for anything in the standings, but some players are being closely watched as they try to keep their jobs.