Sean Manaea sends warning to MLB about 'gritty' Mets amid sudden hot streak

As had been expected, the last-place New York Mets became a major seller before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline arrived. The Mets then surprisingly went 5-1 from Aug. 4 through Sunday's 11-1 thumping of the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Following that victory, Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea sent somewhat of a warning to the rest of the league regarding what 52-67 New York could accomplish through late September. 

Sean Manaea: Mets are "pretty gritty" and good

"We’re pretty gritty, and we’re good," Manaea said about the Mets, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. "We have just got to believe that." 

The Mets were seen as anything but good when they ended Aug. 3 with a record of 47-66. As John Flanigan of SNY noted, however, the Mets then averaged the most runs in the National League per game (seven) in the six contests following the trade deadline. 

Bo Bichette reveals "turn-the-page moment" for 2026 Mets

Infielder Bo Bichette and shortstop Francisco Lindor were among some of the noteworthy Mets players who were mentioned as possible trade candidates through the start of August. While Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns gutted the team's bullpen, key contributors to the lineup such as Bichette and Lindor stayed put. 

"I think the trade deadline was kind of a turn-the-page moment," Bichette said about the Mets' unexpected hot streak, according to Puma. "It’s in everybody’s best interest to come out here and try to get better every day, try to win, become a better team, become better individuals. That is our focus." 

As SNY's Ben Krimmel mentioned, Mets star outfielder Juan Soto "seems to be a bit away from a possible return" from the calf injury that has kept him out of action since he last played on July 24. Thus, one realistically could expect that the Mets will soon come back down to earth, perhaps during the three-game series at the first-place Atlanta Braves (71-47) that will get underway on Monday evening. 

That said, interim Mets manager Andy Green seems to believe his players could make things difficult for the Braves at Truist Park through Wednesday. 

"It’s been nothing complicated," Green said about the Mets' recent stretch of play. "Guys are grinding out at-bats -- those types of at-bats set you up to win baseball games, and it’s just good to see everyone fighting and competing during each of their at-bats."