MLB

Mets first-half report card: Ya gotta be Cs

The Mets showed glimpses of progress by winning eight of 10 games to finish the first half, but they are still entrenched in a significant hole.

At 45-50, seven games behind the division leaders, the Mets can only hope the Braves and Nationals continue to meander and leave the door ajar in the NL East. And the wild card is much too muddled to consider the Mets a significant factor.

With two weeks remaining to the non-waiver trading deadline, it seems unlikely the Mets will make a significant upgrade. More likely, they will bank on Lucas Duda, Curtis Granderson and David Wright to keep the recent offensive turnaround going.

Starting pitching remains the team’s strength, with bullpen not too far behind.

Now for some first-half grades:

Daniel Murphy: The Mets’ lone All-Star, Murphy is the team’s most consistent hitter. He is still prone to defensive and base-running lapses, but has delivered big hits to help compensate. Grade: B-plus

Jon NiesePaul J. Bereswill

Jon Niese: The rock of the rotation as the Mets await the emergence of their younger guns, Niese posted a 2.96 ERA in the first half. Grade: B-plus

Josh Edgin: After struggling with control earlier in his career, Edgin has developed into a dependable lefty reliever. He has actually been tougher on right-handers than lefties. Grade: B-plus

Eric Campbell: The rookie hasn’t shown any signs of fading after a great start. It’s hard to argue with his .833 OPS in 114 plate appearances. Grade: B-plus

Dillon Gee: Missed two months recovering from a strained lat muscle, but has resembled the pitcher who was among the NL’s best in the second half of 2013. Grade: B

Jenrry Mejia: The transition from starter to closer has gone smoothly for Mejia, filling the gap that was created when Bobby Parnell underwent Tommy John surgery in early April. Grade: B

Jeurys Familia: After teasing the Mets for two years, Familia has finally emerged as a dominant presence in the late innings. The organization will have to be careful that he’s not overused. Grade: B

Carlos Torres: An important swingman in the bullpen who can fill just about any role, Torres leads the team with 59 1/3 relief innings. Grade: B

Vic Black: The control problems that got him banished to Triple-A Las Vegas before the season haven’t surfaced since his return to the majors. Black has joined Torres and Familia to give the Mets a solid core leading into Mejia. Grade: B

Kirk Nieuwenhuis: He could be emerging as a legitimate backup outfield option after hitting .304 in 46 at-bats in the first half. Grade: B

Jacob deGrom: He wasn’t as heralded as Noah Syndergaard or Rafael Montero in spring training, but deGrom could emerge as the best of the crop. The right-hander has a respectable 3.18 ERA in 12 starts. Grade: B-minus

Bartolo Colon: The veteran right-hander has given the Mets a decent return on the two-year contract worth $20 million he received last winter, but his cold finish to the first half might be a cause for concern. Grade: B-minus

Lucas Duda: After a slow start, Duda has become the hitter the Mets have been waiting to see for the last four years. He is tied for the team lead in homers (14) and has reached base at a .352 clip. Grade: B-minus

Juan Lagares: Two stints on the disabled list hindered Lagares in the first half, but the Mets will take his solid offensive production and Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field. Grade: B-minus

Dana Eveland: The journeyman lefty has done a decent job, both in long relief and in situational matchups. Grade: B-minus

Bobby Abreu: The 40-year-old outfielder has cooled after a sizzling start. In a crowded outfield scene, it’s been difficult to find him at-bats. Grade: C-plus

David Wright: The Mets captain has battled a sore left shoulder in recent weeks, but that is no excuse for his .765 OPS. Wright had an anemic April and then pulled a disappearing act in early June before injuring the shoulder. Grade: C-plus

Zack WheelerBill Kostroun

Curtis Granderson: He might have been a candidate for the All-Star team if not for a dreadful start. Granderson’s last six weeks, both getting on base and hitting home runs, have helped carry the Mets. Grade: C-plus

Zack Wheeler: The right-hander rebounded after a shaky start to the season and may have finally reached a consistent level. Grade: C-plus

Ruben Tejada: The Mets might have earlier this season regretted their decision not to sign Stephen Drew, but lately Tejada has been among the team’s best players. Grade: C

Daisuke Matsuzaka: The veteran was thriving in a relief role, but has been shaky since joining the starting rotation. But the Mets could do much worse at fifth starter. Grade: C

Eric Young Jr.: Still difficult to see how Young fits with this team, but his speed can’t be overlooked. In 62 games, he has 25 stolen bases. Grade: C

Chris YoungPaul J. Bereswill

Anthony Recker: Recker’s 41 strikeouts in 119 at-bats wouldn’t be so bad if he hit for more power. But Recker is stuck on three home runs. Grade: C-minus

Travis d’Arnaud: He elevated his grade with a strong three-week following his return from Triple-A Las Vegas, but d’Arnaud was a disaster offensively for most of the first half. Grade: D

Chris Young: Mets general manager Sandy Alderson could have done much better with his $7.25 million. Young is hitting only .202 with eight homers and 27 RBIs. The team might soon need this roster spot. Grade: F

Terry Collins: The fact the Mets have a plus-19 runs differential, but are five games below .500 doesn’t reflect well on Collins. Even so, the Mets haven’t quit, and that reflects positively on the manager. Grade: C

Sandy Alderson: He deserves credit for finally stabilizing the bullpen after years of trying, but Alderson whiffed on the Young signing and the Mets could use more depth. Grade: C