The Aug. 1 trade deadline is shaping as much as look so much different than the Mets had hoped, as owner Steve Cohen didn’t rule out being a seller if the team continues to flail.
Asked if he would consider waiving his no-trade clause if that were to occur, Max Scherzer said he wouldn’t comment until Cohen says he’s going to look to eliminate veterans.
“I’ll comment when Steve says ‘sell,’ ” Scherzer said after he gave up two runs in six innings in a 3-2 loss to the Brewers on Thursday at Citi Field. “Until then, it’s pointless. He drives this, so it’s pointless to discuss anything within the contract. I’m here to point out as much as win. That’s all I’m here to do. I proceed to imagine that we’re gonna win.”
Scherzer’s high-priced co-ace, Justin Verlander, also wouldn’t discuss potentially waiving his full no-trade clause if things went south before the deadline, but he appeared like a player that expects to stay around and help change the direction of the 2023 season.
“Everyone has seen flashes of it and I keep saying if I used to be on the opposite side, we could be a team that each time we come here to play, I’d say, ‘I hope this isn’t once they click,’ ” Verlander said before Thursday’s loss. “And as a playoff team, I wouldn’t need to face us.’’
But he also understands the fact of the situation the team finds itself in.
“All that being said, it must click and we’d like to make it there,’’ Verlander said. “I think on this team, but we’d like to prove it.”
Jose Quintana is scheduled to make one other rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, although that location could change depending on the weather conditions.
Beyond that, manager Buck Showalter said the lefty can have yet another rehab outing before making his season debut for the Mets, which could come before the All-Star break, depending on several aspects.
First can be how Quintana comes out of Friday’s start, as he comes back from rib surgery. He previously experienced some tightness in his side, but has felt good since his last rehab start with High-A Brooklyn.
And since he’s only expected to throw around 65 pitches on Friday, Quintana will not be built up enough to be added to the main league rotation.
“It’s also [about] where your bullpen is, because he won’t have the opportunity to go seven innings,’’ Showalter said.
To even get to that time, though, Showalter said Quintana and the Mets have “bridges to cross before that happens.”
On Wednesday, the Mets were down by two runs at the top of the primary inning and for the season, had been outscored 59-23.
“It’s something we’re aware of,’’ Buck Showalter said before Thursday’s loss. “We’d like to [do better]. It’s not good.”
While they are attempting to work out why they’ve scored only 23 runs in opening innings, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner is hopeful he has an idea of why they’ve pitched to a 6.08 ERA (fifth worst within the majors) through the first.
“Our walks are up in the primary inning,’’ Hefner said. “That’s what’s caught my attention.”
Hefner pointed to Kodai Senga, who allowed the pair of runs in the primary on Wednesday nad has walked 14 batters in the primary over his 15 starts.
But his ERA within the frame is 4.20, which is removed from the worst among the many rotation.
Carlos Carrasco has a 9.00 ERA in his 10 starts and Verlander is at 6.30 ERA, while Wednesday’s starter, Scherzer, was at 4.15 prior to Wednesday.
Since-demoted Tylor Megill is at 5.40.
“We just need to make higher pitches,” Hefner said. “Perhaps we’re not attacking as much as we do later in the sport.”
And he believes it’s mostly about adjusting the mindset.
“I don’t think it’s how we’re warming up,’’ Hefner said. “I don’t think it’s how we’re preparing. It’s [about] having an attack mentality right out of the chute.”
The Mets, as with so many features of their game, didn’t have this issue a yr ago, although their mark in 2022 was not spectacular, 4.39.
As for the offense, which is ranked last within the majors in first-inning runs, Showalter said, “I wish I had a solution.”
No Mets were voted in as All-Star starters when results were released Thursday, as Atlanta’s Orlando Arcia beat out Francisco Lindor at shortstop.
Daniel Vogelbach could be tied for fourth in pitches per plate appearance (4.36) if he had enough at-bats, but Showalter also wants him to be aggressive early in counts.
“He’s a really selective guy and we don’t want him to get too distant from that,’’ Showalter said. “But we wish him to send that message, ‘If you happen to throw a hittable pitch early, he’ll jump you.’ ”
