NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Can you feel it? The excitement surrounding the Mets as spring training is underway down in Port St. Lucie.
Yeah, neither can I.
Listen, I love baseball. Warm weather, crack of the bat. Popcorn, pretzels and a few of your favorite libations. America.
For the Mets, there is a supreme lack of buzz. With Thursday's news, staff ace Kodai Senga will likely start the year on the IL with a capsule strain in his right shoulder. The Mets rotation is now Jose Quintan, Adrian Houser, Sean Manaea and Luis Severino.
Who is battling for the fifth spot?
Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchasi and Jose Butto.
The Mets still have not locked up the face of the franchise, first baseman Pete Alonso, as he is set to hit free agency after the season.
I am not saying the Mets are going to be bad this season, but let's be honest: the rotation is not inspiring. Mets President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns said the Mets will look internally for solutions to replace the production of Senga, good luck with that.
I think seeing new manager Carlos Mendoza and his impact on the team will be interesting. But, we are a ways away from the free spending nature of billionaire owner Steve Cohen.
Did that work?
No, we all watched a year ago as it crashed and burned.
But that aggressive nature led to a buzz and excitement. Stearns will have a different approach. Spend on quality. Build a quality organization from top to bottom. All of that takes time, and the approach to quick fixes goes out the window.
There is a new sheriff in town in Queens, and ultimately, if it leads to the Mets consistently winning, the fans will be ok with it. But patience and trust will be needed, and that does not exactly go hand in hand with sports fans, especially in this town.
Until next time, New York, I'm Marc Malusis.
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