May 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach (32) in the dugout after striking out in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Mets at Colorado Rockies
(Queens, NY) – Well, New York Mets fans, it appears ex-manager Buck Showalter was in your corner most of this past season.
While the team’s fans were left shaking their heads in bewilderment and frustration every time the one-dimensional Daniel Vogelbach was playing, Showalter was handing in the lineup card through gritted teeth.
According to Mets insider Mike Puma, writing in the New York Post, Buck preferred to use the DH slot as a “rotating” half off-day that would allow players to hit while resting their legs a bit. Plus, Vogelbach wasn’t helping his case with the bat.
Vogelbach finished the year with a .233 batting average, 13 HR, and 48 RBI – not exactly fear-inducing numbers, and certainly below the standard most would accept from a DH. On top of that, Vogelbach is a limited player – his poor mobility and lack of foot speed mean he’s not playable in the field. His natural first base position is also occupied by entrenched slugger Pete Alonso. And while Vogelbach is set to enter free agency, his presumed absence from the Mets roster in 2024 is of little consequence to Showalter, who was just shown the door.
Vogelbach’s lackluster performance with the bat, at a time when the Mets season was falling apart, drew fans’ ire. And Showalter made an attempt to at least get Vogelbach going again – while giving the team and its fans a break from the beleaguered lefty. From June 8 through 15, Vogelbach rode the bench in an effort to give him a “mental reset.” A brief uptick in performance followed, but his OPS hovered near .690 through the All-Star break – while the Mets season continued to unravel.
Looking ahead to next season, new President of Baseball Operations David Stearns will be looking to fill the Mets’ DH position. Internal candidates include Mark Vientos, while the trade and free agency market will also contain a number of viable options
