MIAMI — In search of a cure to the Mets’ disappointing offensive output, manager Carlos Mendoza presented two of his highest-profile players an idea after Friday’s loss.
Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo were both on board with Mendoza’s plan, which was implemented Saturday as they switched places in the batting order.
The slumping Lindor moved into the leadoff spot and Nimmo to third, bringing a new look to a lineup that had been shut out twice in four games entering Saturday and has largely underperformed this season.
Mendoza spoke to Nimmo early in spring training to gauge his receptiveness to moving in the batting order — which would allow the Mets to place a stolen-base threat atop the order — but resisted changing the alignment because of concerns about replacing Nimmo’s on-base percentage.
But now with the Mets reeling, an experimentation seemed necessary.
“Having two guys that care so much about the team and will do whatever it takes to get this team rolling means a lot,” Mendoza said. “When I approached Francisco last night and told him what I was thinking, there was no hesitation. It was the same thing with Nimmo … ‘whatever you feel is going to help us, we’re on board.’
“I want [Lindor] to get on base and put pressure on the pitchers with the way he runs the bases. I like Nimmo’s at-bats with runners in scoring position.”
Nimmo, who returned from a stomach bug that sidelined him for two games, entered play with a .215/.361/.396 slash line with six homers and 27 RBIs.
Though he possesses above average speed, Nimmo has never developed into a base-stealing threat in his career.
But Nimmo’s surge in power the last two seasons has transformed him into a potential middle-of-the-order presence.
“He’s a complete hitter,” Mendoza said. “He’s not only hitting for power, but the way he controls the strike zone in the at-bats with runners in scoring position, it helps.”
Lindor started slowly this season and had a brief upturn, but has disappointed offensively with a .195/.268/.362 slash line with seven homers and 21 RBIs entering Saturday.
He also had six stolen bases.
“I just want to help the team,” Lindor said, referring to the move to leadoff. “Hopefully, it’s the start of something that is going to help us trend in the right direction and just stick to that. Ultimately, it comes down to winning. I don’t care where we hit.”
Lindor, who hit leadoff earlier in his career with Cleveland, said his approach won’t change hitting atop the order.
“I am me,” he said. “I’m not going to be, ‘I am hitting fourth, now I have to hit more home runs.’ The opportunities to drive in runs are going to be more when I’m hitting third , so usually second or third you get more times to hit when people are on base … the approach changes depending on what’s happening around me, but I’m just going to stay focused on who I am.”
The Mets entered play 22nd in MLB with a .666 OPS.
On Saturday, the team held a longer than normal hitters’ meeting, but Mendoza said the tone has remained positive.
“We’ve got really smart hitters there,” Mendoza said. “Those sessions are pretty impressive. There is nothing different, it’s just guys are talking.”
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