Harrison Bader, an outfielder for the New York Mets, has been dealing with reduced playing time despite signing a one-year contract worth $10 million last offseason. Bader doesn’t check the lineup until arriving at the ballpark because he is concerned about how it might affect his sleep if his name isn’t listed. He received a message from manager Carlos Mendoza informing him that he wouldn’t be starting the following night, causing him to be on the bench for a second straight game. While Bader is bothered by the lack of playing time, he continues to prepare and stay focused for whenever he gets an opportunity to play.
Mendoza has opted for different lineups that have included players like DJ Stewart, Brandon Nimmo, and Starling Marte in the outfield, as well as utilizing Tyrone Taylor to bolster the lineup. Bader has had limited playing time recently, with Tuesday marking the fourth time in eight games that he was absent from the starting lineup. Despite the challenges, Bader remains focused on staying ready for whenever he is needed in a game. He understands the team’s goal of winning and respects the decisions made by team brass, even though it hasn’t made it any easier for him.
Bader was primarily signed for his defensive skills and understands the team’s need to make decisions based on matchups and competition within the team. He acknowledges the importance of adjusting and remaining available to help the team whenever needed. Although Bader didn’t specify if he was given specific playing time parameters before signing, he remains committed to contributing to the team in any way possible. He emphasized that he wants to play and help the team win while respecting the decisions being made by those in charge of the lineup.
Mendoza has spoken to Bader about maintaining focus on the bigger picture and his role as the team’s center fielder. The manager acknowledges that there is a healthy competition among players like Bader, Taylor, and Stewart for playing time, but he believes it’s essential to utilize the entire roster throughout the long baseball season. Mendoza recognizes that players like Bader want to play and contribute to the team’s success, even though decisions about playing time can be challenging for everyone involved. He sees the competition for playing time as a positive aspect that can motivate players to perform at their best.
