2
2011
Adam Rubin: Mets Positional Breakdown
An article by Hojo's Mojo
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York does a great job of doing a position by position analysis on the Mets to begin the new year. It’s definitely worth a read.
Some of the parts I found the most interesting came at shortstop where Rubin wrote discussed the possibility of trading Reyes,
If Alderson is adamant about not wanting to give players in their late 20s deals of five, six or seven years, then perhaps it’s worth trading Reyes before July 31 if the Mets are out of the race, as would be prudent with Carlos Beltran. However, Alderson maintains he does not have hard and fast rules — dogma, in his Ivy League vernacular — so do not write off the re-signing of the 27-year-old Reyes just yet.
He also gives some insight regarding the bench and the backup outfielders situation,
In the outfield, Lucas Duda (.202, 4 HR, 13 RBIs in September) impressed scouts after a late-season call-up and may have the best résumé, but Collins has indicated Duda is best served playing at Buffalo unless he will be a starter. The Mets may very well still sign a free-agent backup outfielder. For now, ex-Twin Jason Pridie may be the best choice already with the organization. Pridie, who is adept at playing center field, was tormented by a persistent right hamstring strain and missed 103 games last season with Buffalo. He is out of options and also would need to clear waivers to be sent to the minors. Former top prospect Fernando Martinez should have been a viable option by now, but Martinez has not demonstrated any ability to stay healthy.
Originally drafted by the Rays in the second round of the 2002 MLB Draft, Pridie showed some flashes in his September callup last season with the Mets, but has struggled at times in his minor league career. He has good speed, very little power, and has batted a very inconsistent .276 in a nine-year minor league career.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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Nice article by Rubin. Will be good to look back upon it to see what if anything the Mets ended up doing.
i hope omar gets a job working for rubin
Rubin may be off a little in some of his comments. Daniel Murphy will win the 2nd base job. He has a better record in winter ball RBIs,Aver,OBP etc than Emaus and Turner.He will hit 20+ HRs this year because he hit 12 in 2009 when he struggled to adjust to pitchers which kept it down. He also got to go against lefties in winter ball hitting over .400 which shows he can be an every day player.
I personally just can’t put any stock in winterball stats. If Murphy comes to S.T. and hits better than the competition and is adequate defensively at 2b then I am fine with him getting the job but that is far from being a reality yet.
Especially since Luis will be the starting 2B.
Definitely a possibility as well considering he will be part of those trying to win the starting job.
Not only will he be trying, but he will win it as he will collect his $6M and they will play him. He’s not Ollie who is on permanent vacation.
Another prediction I see nice, well I can’t see that far ahead but my advice has been at people that are so sure at future outcomes to invest by betting on such outcomes cause they are a cinch to win then.
As far as collecting his $6M that I believe is guaranteed money so no matter what happens he is getting paid.
May as well just trade off Beltran, Reyes and Wright right now. Johan too.
“In the outfield, Lucas Duda (.202, 4 HR, 13 RBIs in September) impressed scouts after a late-season call-up and may have the best résumé, but Collins has indicated Duda is best served playing at Buffalo unless he will be a starter.”
Here’s a thought…Why don’t they just put Pagan on the bench or just use Pagan as trade bait and start Duda in right field? This kid can be a .280-.290s/30+ HR hitter if he played a whole season. The Mets sure could use a guy like him in the cleanup spot. Are they taking a precaution to see if he can replicate his 2010 AAA season or what?
As far as Murphy winning the 2nd base job goes, he’ll probably be used off the bench or as a utility player if Evans is not used in that role. I’m interested to see what this kid Emaus can do in ST. Winter ball stats mean nothing. Remember Fernando Martinez and how he was Caribbean series MVP last year?
Can Pagan play 2B?
Why would they do that?
Hitman, Fern was awful during the regular season DWL last year. Looked the worst I’ve ever seen him at bat and in the field. I guess he just got hot at the right time. If I remember correctly he had 3 HR’s in one game so maybe it wasn’t even a long hot streak.
Duda can’t even really play a credible LF. He has no chance in RF. I would bet anything he’ll be playing 1B in AAA and Alderson will dangle Ike if he determines Duda has more pop cause that’s what Sandy’s into and Ike offers something every team is interested in, low cost production.
Pagan can’t be traded or we have no one to cover CF. Beltran’s knee, and brace, won’t let him and he won’t be here next year anyway. Pagan is not only a tremendous fielder but his offense cannot be replaced either.
About Fernando, you think that the coaches in the minors will finally teach him to use his front foot to drive the ball like Keith & others have said in the past? You’re right about him getting worse and it’s a shame.
You may be right about Duda being sent down to AAA as a 1st baseman, but I thought that he’d be capable of playing the corners as well as 1st at times like Lance Berkman has done in the past.
You’re right about Pagan being here to cover CF for Beltran as well as his offensive & defensive prowess, but can he stay healthy himself? That is the question. I have a hard time right now believing that he’ll be healthy & that he’ll replicate his 2010 season. I just see Pagan as a trade piece. I always thought Pagan would make a great fit in San Diego, despite them trading for Maybin earlier this offseason.
I’ve heard the Mets being mentioned about them being interested in Reed Johnson so who knows what will happen? Not that Johnson is an upgrade because he’s not.
Dont count the kid Murphy out yet, he will fight for 2nd base. Castillo has only 1 HR last year> Murphy had 12 in 2009 and that wasnt winter ball.He would have more but took to long to adjust to pitchers and that slowed his hitting.Look at the others in winter ball and see that Murphy had the best Aver.RBIs OBP etc. to Turner & Emaus. Castillo will not hit like Murphy and we need a hitter at 2nd base.And Murphy will have good defense and that will give him the edge.You can book this comment as being accurate.