MLB

Mets desperately need big-time bat — and Alderson knows it

Here’s reality for the Mets.

Sandy Alderson has come to the realization the lineup has to be lengthened, but how is that going to happen?

One slugger available as a free agent after the season is named Nelson Cruz, but we all know how that went down last winter. The list also includes Melky Cabrera.

Here’s hoping the Mets can somehow pull off a miracle trade and land Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez. CarGo would be a coup and is available. The former batting champion appears to be bracing for a deal and told the Denver Post on Friday he believes “it’s easier for (the Rockies) to trade me than (Troy Tulowitzki).”

“I’m a little surprised at the record,” Alderson said Friday night at Citi Field before the Mets pushed across two runs on an eighth-inning double by Travis d’Arnaud for a 6-5 win over the ragged Rangers. Both struggling teams came into the night 37-48.

“I think we’ve been playing much closer to a .500 club, but the record is what it is, so on that basis, I’m definitely disappointed,” Alderson added. “Offensively we are not just scoring the number of runs that we need to, at this point, on the road or at home, and that needs to improve. There’s no question that our lineup needs to be a little longer, and some inexperience is probably a factor.”

The lack of situational hitting has been the Mets’ biggest downfall, and that is what made d’Arnaud’s double so important.

“I’m just trying to keep my mind at ease and keep it simple,” said d’Arnaud, who is learning on the job.

“Our problem is, to a large extent, in those games when we get men on base, we don’t get them in, and partly that’s because the guys who typically get on base are the guys who have a little more experience and are able to drive them in, so our lineup needs to be a little bit longer,” said Alderson, whose Chris Young signing has been a disaster.

The first step to fixing a problem is admitting there is a problem. At least Alderson got to that point Friday night.

Earlier in the week, Alderson proclaimed to CBSSports.com the Mets were better than their record because of run differential.

They are not.

The numbers-based GM has to realize the ultimate number is won-lost record, not anything else, especially in this city.

Last time I looked there was no Run Differential World Series.

He said Bill Parcells’ famous comment — “You are what your record says you are” — is accurate.

“But I think at the same time about what to do going forward, you have to have a little bit broader perspective,” Alderson said. “We like the team that’s developing. I think our team is on the right track.”

Asked if the Mets could contend for the postseason this year, Alderson said, “A lot of that depends on what happens over the next couple of weeks.”

The 38-48 Mets are in a soft division and have a soft schedule upcoming, so they need to start winning games immediately.

“There’s no question that our won-lost record needs to improve pretty significantly,” Alderson said.

He repeated he is “always hesitant to trade starting pitching.”

Alderson is going to have to trade some down the road to get a big hitter.

When asked about acquiring a hitter, he said, “We need offense, you have to make certain tradeoffs. In recent history, we’ve been better with defensive capable outfielders.”

Except for Young, who went into Friday night’s game batting .199.

As for minor leaguers, Alderson mentioned two players: Wilmer Flores, who has been up and down already, and Matt Reynolds.

“Reynolds is hitting .400 at Vegas,” Alderson said of the middle infielder.

Alderson addressed his 90-win comment again, saying, “I didn’t set that as a goal. What it was was an attempt to change the mindset.”

“Any (victory) number for next year?” I inquired.

Alderson smiled, and said, “Give me a week.”

Better yet, give the fans a hitter.