The Mets' June collapse hit rock bottom on June 29, losing 12-1 to the Pirates. Lindor, Soto & Nimmo's squad holds a players-only meeting after the sweep.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There are bad losses, there are terrible series, and then there is what just happened in Pittsburgh. The New York Mets were not just defeated; they were dismantled, losing 12-1 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep at the hands of the Pirates. The final tally for the weekend? Pirates 30, Mets 4. The loss, their 12th in the last 15 games, has sent the team tumbling out of first place and searching for answers.
'It's not one thing. It's not [only] pitching, it's not hitting, it's not defense. It's all of them at different times.' - Brandon Nimmo
The box score from Sunday's 12-1 loss is grim enough on its own, with the Mets managing just six hits. But the true horror lies in the context of the series. Over three games, the Mets were outscored 30-4. The offense, featuring stars like Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and Juan Soto, was completely neutralized, unable to generate any sustained pressure. The pitching staff, once a source of strength, was battered into submission. This wasn't just a slump; it was a complete system failure in every phase of the game.
In the immediate aftermath of the humiliating sweep, the team held a 20-minute, players-only meeting. According to Francisco Lindor, the message was simple and focused on 'nothing but winning,' stressing that despite the freefall, the team remains in the hunt. Brandon Nimmo offered a more candid assessment, acknowledging the widespread nature of their problems. This wasn't a finger-pointing session, but a moment of reckoning for a team that knows it's vastly underperforming.
While the players talked, the front office acted. In a move to address the beleaguered pitching staff, the Mets called up their No. 22 prospect, right-hander Jonathan Pintaro. To make room, left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady was designated for assignment. It's a small move in the grand scheme of things, but it's a clear signal that the status quo is unacceptable. The Mets are hoping Pintaro can provide a spark and some stability for a bullpen in desperate need of both.
If there's any silver lining to be found, it's in the promise of the future. The Mets' farm system remains a bright spot, with Jett Williams, Brandon Sproat, and Carson Benge all ranked among MLB's Top 100 prospects. Fans saw the impact a young player can have with Luisangel Acuña's late-season contributions in 2024. With right-handers Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong progressing well in Double-A, more reinforcements could be on the horizon. The question is whether they will arrive in time to help the 2025 club.
The clubhouse meeting is over. A fresh arm is on the way. But the questions remain. Was this weekend the absolute floor for the 2025 Mets? Can a 20-minute meeting truly reverse a slide of this magnitude? With the All-Star break approaching, the Mets are out of time for excuses. They need to turn words into wins, and they need to do it now. The entire season may depend on it.
