June continued Metsâ€™ slide out of the playoff picture

The anemic NL East was begging the Mets to rise up in June and become a contender. But the Mets said, "No thanks."

Instead, after Monday's 5-3 loss to the Braves, they finished with an 11-16 record for June, giving the Mets a second straight losing month after a promising April.

On the plus side, Lucas Duda, Curtis Granderson and David Wright emerged from slumps and for a stretch made the lineup decent. But new hitting coach Lamar Johnson hasn't been the tonic for a lineup that consistently struggles with runners in scoring position.

Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia have become legit in the late innings, allowing Vic Black, Carlos Torres and Josh Edgin, among others, to fill in the gaps. Was June just a mirage for these relievers or has general manager Sandy Alderson finally struck gold in his fourth attempt to build a quality bullpen?

Regardless of the standings, the Mets have to hit .500 before anybody can mention the word "playoffs." That leaves plenty of work ahead for this disappointing bunch.

A review of June:

MVP: Lucas Duda

On a team that desperately needs a runs producer, Duda has stepped up and become a force in the lineup. He finished June with five homers and 17 RBIs, with a robust .960 OPS for the month. If the Mets can continue receiving anything close to this production from Duda they will have finally solved the first-base puzzle. The next step for Duda is getting consistent playing time against lefties, allowing him to show he's better than a .154 hitter facing southpaws. But it's Duda's RBIs total that matters most to manager Terry Collins.

LVP: Chris Young

Chris YoungPhoto: Paul J. Bereswill

Despite showing a surge last week, with three homers in two games against Oakland, the veteran Young has been among the least productive players in the major leagues this season. He finished June hitting only .208 with a .610 OPS for the month. The fact the Mets are paying him $7.25 million this season will probably give Young at least a few additional weeks to show something, albeit in a limited role, before he is potentially axed. Young will play against most lefties, but even then it's difficult to justify giving him starts over Eric Young Jr. Maybe the best thing the Mets can say about Young is he's only signed to a one-year deal.

Game of the Month

June 2: Mets 11, Phillies 2

Wilmer Flores' first career grand slam is the icing on the cake for the Mets, who move within a game of .500 by winning four of five against the Phillies. The previous three games in the series went a combined 39 innings.

Looking ahead

After playing only eight games at Citi Field in June, the Mets will get an extended homestand heading into the All-Star break. Facing the struggling Rangers for three games might not hurt, but the bigger series are against Atlanta and Miami — teams the Mets are trying to catch in the NL East.

Following the All-Star break, it's a monster 11-game trip through San Diego, Seattle and Milwaukee. By the time the Mets arrive home to face the Phillies for three games beginning on July 28, it should be clear what direction the organization should take heading into the trade deadline three days later.

Toughest organizational decision

Daniel Murphy may be on the move in July.Photo: Getty Images

Daniel Murphy has become the team's best pure hitter, but the Mets will soon have to decide whether to trade or pay the scrappy second baseman, who has another year of arbitration eligibility and stands to collect upwards of $8 million in 2015.

The Mets have dangled Murphy in the past, but his value to the team has always superseded the potential return in a trade. Murphy is best suited for a corner infield/DH role in the American League, but his lack of power makes even that role less than ideal. The Mets like Murphy, but probably not enough at this point to extend him a multi-year contract offer.

Five key stats

4: Starts this season in which Bartolo Colon has allowed at least five earned runs, skewing an otherwise borderline All-Star statistical line.

5: Hits by Eric Campbell in 11 at-bats as a pinch hitter this season for a .455 batting average.

8: Starts for Curtis Granderson in the leadoff spot this season, after arriving to the Mets under the assumption he would hit cleanup every day.

21: Consecutive first batters retired by Josh Edgin — a franchise record to start a season.

41: Days spent on the disabled list this season by Juan Lagares, with two separate injuries.

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June continued Metsâ€™ slide out of the playoff picture

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