Chris Carter Forcing Mets To Reconsider

Chris Carter approaches spring training more like boot camp, but his intense work habits just might earn him an opening day roster spot with the New York Mets.

The 27-year-old first baseman/outfielder often is one of the first to arrive each day in camp and among the last to leave, and the hard work has paid off in the form of a .474 batting average this spring.

Carter was part of the trade that sent Billy Wagner to the Red Sox last August, and though he came into spring training known best as a quality minor-league prospect, he has launched himself into the mix for a bench spot.

“He’s done pretty much everything we’ve asked him to, and he’s done it with a level of intensity you don’t see very often,” manager Jerry Manuel said. “That’s probably why he has positioned himself with an opportunity to make the club. He’s put himself in a good spot.”

Carter’s work regimen which includes coming in early to hit in the cages and staying late for extra infield practice is something he has followed for the past three years, but he said he has stepped it up even more this year. Read more at TC Palm.

I think the race for the 25th spot has been narrowed to Frank Catalanotto, Russ Adams, Mike Jacobs and Chris Carter. If the Mets hadn’t given Fernando Tatis a guaranteed contract, I figure both Carter and Catalanotto would have been locks to make the team.

It seems as though Daniel Murphy’s grasp on first base was never in question and the position was never up for grabs in the first place.

Too bad… How do you go into a new season after the last three years, with Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy locks to make the team?

The more things change, the more they stay the same.