Mets’ Buck Showalter & Billy Eppler Not On The Same Page When It Comes To Daniel Vogelbach

The poor performance of starting designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach was one of the many issues that plagued the Mets during their disastrous 2023 season.

Mets’ Buck Showalter & Billy Eppler Not On The Same Page When It Comes To Daniel Vogelbach

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, when Manager Buck Showalter, who was fired at the end of the season, was preparing to deploy alternative possibilities at DH, General Manager Billy Eppler intervened and ordered him to frequently play the 30-year-old.

Vogelbach, acquired by the Mets at the 2022 trade deadline, served as the team’s designated hitter against right-handed pitching this season.

However, the 30-year-old struggled early in the season, and according to a source, manager Buck Showalter encountered pushback from general manager Billy Eppler at various points when attempting to use options other than Vogelbach at DH against right-handed pitching.

Showalter allegedly “met resistance” from Eppler while attempting to use alternatives to the struggling Vogelbach, who was given a “mental break” early in the season owing to his extended slump at the plate.

The manager, who intended to use the DH place to give regular players a half-day rest every now and again, was apparently informed he had to play Vogelbach.

Vogelbach improved in the final six weeks of the season, earning an OPS north of 1.000 in 79 plate appearances, but hit.233 with a.742 OPS overall.

While Vogelbach’s at-bat performance was unimpressive, Showalter’s willingness to explore alternative possibilities was not only motivated by on-field performance, according to the article.

“Part of the manager’s opposition to Vogelbach was philosophical: Showalter viewed the DH spot as one that should be used on a rotation, allowing position players a partial rest while remaining in the lineup,” Puma said. Furthermore, according to Puma, Showalter thought that Vogelbach was not worth having in the lineup on a regular basis owing to his lack of power and speed, even when he was getting on base.

After Vogelbach was not dealt before the MLB trade deadline, Showalter began openly asking why Vogelbach was still on the team, but was silenced by the Eppler.

After his OPS dropped to.639 with a 0-for-3 performance against the Braves on June 7, Vogelbach didn’t play in another game for nine days while he worked on his swing and mental approach.

Vogelbach had a brief spike after returning to the lineup, but his OPS remained at.690 at the All-Star break.

https://twitter.com/grant_purpura/status/1709725155180585317

The Mets were expected to deal Vogelbach before the trade deadline, but when that didn’t happen, Showalter, according to a source, openly questioned why Vogelbach was still on the team.

He was not only still on the club, but the manager was ordered by Eppler to keep him in the starting lineup. He had only 21 at-bats in September and did not play in the last eight games of the season.

He ended with a.233/.339/.404 slash line, 13 home runs, and 48 RBIs. The Mets must decide whether to sign Vogelbach to a contract for next season this summer.

 

 

FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE- 

Marshawn Lynch Comments On Russell Wilson & Pete Carroll Relationship