7
2011
Andres Torres As An Everyday Centerfielder and Leadoff Hitter Is A Bad Idea
An article by 
I decided to do some research on Andres Torres last night so I could get a better feel of what kind of player he was and I quickly learned that the Giants were very anxious to move him. Lets see why…
Torres was originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in 1997 but chose to play at Miami Dade College instead. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers a year later and ended up playing in the minors for six years until 2004 when he was signed as a free agent by the Chicago White Sox. Seven months later, he was with the Texas Rangers’ farm club. Then, the Minnesota Twins 13 months after that. He was back in the Detroit farm system in 2007 then released again seven months later. The Chicago Cubs took a chance on him in 2008, but that lasted just a season, too. Five different teams in 10 years, where he averaged about nine big league games per season.
Torres signed with San Francisco as a free agent on January 9, 2009 . One season later, he was pressed into a starting role due to injuries and delivered a career year bating .268/.343/.479 with career highs in at bats (507), home runs (16), doubles (43), hits (136), RBI (63), stolen bases (26), and walks (56). He made just one error in 322 chances (.997 fielding percentage).
It was tremendous campaign for Torres, but in 2011 he came crashing back down to earth and batted .221/.312/.330 with four homers and 19 RBI. He gradually saw more and more bench time as the season wore on and by the end of 2011, it was clear he was back to being a journeyman, fourth outfielder.
As the Giants headed to Dallas for the Winter Meetings, they had already determined that Torres was just a bench player and they had very little interest in paying him $3 million or more to ride the pine next season. In fact, there was a better than 90% chance he would be non-tendered by December 12, and everyone knew that one of the Giants top priorities in Dallas was to trade him and get whatever they could before that date rolled around.
Torres now joins the Mets, his seventh team in twelve seasons, and even as a fourth outfielder he does have some value in that he’s a switch-hitter and could pinch hit, he’s an above average defender at all three outfield spots and he has great speed as a pinch-runner off the bench.
He can certainly get plenty of playing time as a caddie for Lucas Duda and spelling some spot starts, but it seems the front office is planning to go with Torres as their starting centerfield based on comments from Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson last night. There was even the suggestion that Torres and his career .318 OBP would be replacing Jose Reyes in the leadoff spot. Neither of those decisions sound like a good idea, but they’ll find that out come mid-April or early-May at the latest.
He’s a worse choice as a starting center fielder and leadoff hitter than Angel Pagan was.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 22 | .476 | 3.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 23 | .410 | 6.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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He’s a better fielder than Pagan and they need a glove up the middle with Duda in right.
although, I agree that he shouldn’t be leading off.
Of course, all of this is predicated on the idea that the Mets aren’t going to acquire another CF and this guy isn’t just a bench jockey.
Just remember, no one is locked up for more than two more seasons. Forget competing as a legit contender, it’ll help you sleep at night and think more rationally Joe D. The plan isn’t to try and win until 2014. With that said, Torres is just a stopgap until Kirk is ready or maybe Lagares, or (I just threw up in my mouth) F-Mart, or Bay to CF and Murphy to LF. I don’t know, stopgap gives you options. They wanted option and to upgrade their pen.
Again, this is just to tread water. The plan is for 2014, all of our contracts scream that. It sucks, and maybe even unacceptable. But it is what it is. Just enjoy the kids for now, and hope that the core is strong enough that in December 2013, we’re Miami Marlining whoever the top two or three free agents are.
I did an analysis and gave my opinion on a new Mets player, what makes you think I see the Mets as a legit contender in 2012 from that? In all actuality, it’s your outlook that is too rosy and optimistic, you say 2014 I say 2016.
I’m not attacking your analysis Joe D. I’m just trying to help you sleep better at night. I actually think you’re right. I’m just saying…forget trying to be a legit contender for even a wild card until 2014, and then, Torres leading off isn’t all that bad. Besides, the kids will be up soon. Or we’ll sign someone in Dec. 2013.
As for 2016, oh ye of little faith. 2015 at the latest we’ll be in the wild card race. ha.
lol, okay we’ll shake on 2015.
This is another Jason Pridie.
More evidence that we are punting the 2012 season I’m afraid. Look at these anemic bats that will be in the lineup; Torres, Tejada, Thole, Bay?
I am not putting pressure on the kid but are you sure Tejada’s bat will be THAT anemic? He did pretty well last year when he returned.
Bay needs to change his number from 44. How many players that wore that uniform for us did anything. Thompson, Cangelosi, Millege, Bay…. only Cone had any success with it.
Hopefully a stopgap or the 4th outfielder until a trade happens for the starter in CF. Yesterday Pagan was the leadoff hitter, today he is in SF. Still hoping for Bourjos from Angels.
The transition plan to solvency is in full gear. Winning ball games be damned — just the appearance of competitiveness is needed. Everyone get out of the way, but don’t forget to buy plenty of CitiField tickets to speed the change. The Willpon’s demand nothing less than total ‘buy in’ from loyal Mets fans, who can come up for air in three or four years.
offense will score 3 runs a game.. the team has no identity offensive wise…
You are right it will have to build a new identity on offense. However, over the last 2 years they have actually grown accustomed to playing without Reyes anyway. I would suspect that last year already we saw the identity changing. Look at the increase in OBP last year. No coincidence that it lead to many more runs.
by the way, hansley ramirez doesnt wanna play third, call the marlins RIGHT NOW and offer wright for him straight up, put murphy at 3rd and tejada at 2B… come on sandy, be creative!!!!!!!
No way does that happen. I would love to have Hanely but you also have to keep in mind that his attitude is terrible. Not really a guy you want to bring in on a team full of guys you are trying to teach to play the game the right way and build something around.
Looking at stats though, man was Hanley bad last year.
Looking at stats though, man was Hanley bad last year”
i forgot how great david wright was last year… you’re right, we need nice guys in the clubhouse like jason bay, we shouldn’t care if they suck as long as they’re nice and get along right TRS86? SMH… if the trade were to happen, i carry wright’s bag myself to miami…
.243 .333 .379 .712
.254 .345 .427 .771
So yeah Hanley somehow managed to be even worse than Wright last year.
Again it’s not always about personal bias or vendettas against certain players. Fact is that Hanley was terrible last year.
Obviously the Mets and Marlins are not going to do this deal for 1,000′s of reasons so is there really any reason to start our normal discussion over it?
I had the same thought. Francesa said the same thing a few weeks ago too.I’d do that in a heartbeat.Platoon Murphy and Satin at 3B.Maybe Havens wins the job at 2B outta spring training and we got a nice offensive infield but a lot of chasing ground balls by our outfielders.
Acc. to John Shea, a columnist for the SF Chronicle, Andres Torres is working on his swing this offseason with Juan Gonzalez- ” I’ve made some adjustments. I think I’m going to have a really good year next year.”
I am feeling a platoon in Center with Dirks coming over in a trade for Murphy. That leaves second base in a quandry. I feel that Murphy needs yet another shot at 2B full time or he should be traded where he can play 3B his natural position and perhaps we can bag another bullpen dude with Dirks?. In any case Dirks and Torres in tandem take care of the Hairston and Harris void.
I am feeling better about the bullpen and recognizing that the new metric is about keeping guys off base. Do we have a defense oriented catcher on the farm? Nickeas is not the answer. Thole can be productive at the plate and is a great team player but I could steal on him.
So we need a # 1 pitcher (Buehrle is not coming) and an internal (?) catcher, and a utility infielder (Japanese or Punto?)
We are punting for 2012 but we can be competetive. We lost 21 games last year with a lead in late innings.
Torres has the Mets and Collins written all over him. Nice read on him but the Mets and NY can rejuvenate a guy like Torres. Bourjos wold be fantastic but feel; it’s a reach.
I think more can (and should) be gotten for Murphy than just Dirks. Also, Murphy is important to this team more than other teams. You have a very decent bat and a guy who can play 1B, 2B, 3B and if needed OF (albeit horribly). Between Wright and his back, Tejada and the questions if he’ll flourish or flounder, Turner as, well, Turner… I think this team needs Murph at this point. If he could be packaged for Rasmus (per TRS86′s wish) then sure, you buy him a good luck basket and give him a hug goodbye. Or, if he can be packaged to Tampa for one of their Pitchers (Murph could be their 1B), then sure, I’d certainly consider that. But to trade him away for a 4th OF when you can sign Endy for a mil and be done with it really makes little sense.
I have no problem with that logic but remember that the metric is guys that can keep guys off base. Murphy does not fit the profile in any position.
I like Murphy and you are right about a trade for a fourth outfielder is a waste but perhaps we can get more.
Didn’t see any thoughts on a catcher. SA says we are not going shopping or shoppach for a catcher. What do you suggest?
My honest guess would be picking up a catcher in the Rule 5, see how he does and if he flounders, he gets returned back to the team and they bring up Nickeas. Just a hunch on that one.
Long term, trading Wright when his value is higher to Cincy or Colorado for one of their catching prospects + another would be best, but that’ll happen come trade deadline time.
I think if Wright is traded it will be for another top pitching prospect and not for a catcher.
Might as well get both!
Good article Joe. Torres has all the look of a bench jockey and to go into 2012 with him leading off is a travesty. Just take a look at the anemic lineup and think about all the pressure on David Wright to perform. When David tries to carry the team on his back, he inevitably cracks. We are rapidly approaching a disaster. The cellar is beckoning to this team. Our Genius GM is now putting this team in the position where David must be traded. That’s probably next on the agenda. Oh by the way, the end result will be an empty Citifield next year and just how will that help the Wilpon Warlords come out from under all the red ink? I continue to believe this will get much worse before it gets better.
Did you read in the media about Hanley wanting out now rather than move to third? Who would want this disgruntled, as soon as he gets out of bed, guy? Watch for him to be oft injured if he stays a Marlin an dnot making any effort to get back on the field.
The Marlins are not going to slide into Eden all that easy. Hanly can be a clubhouse/dugout nightmare and can get all the attention of a Guillen.
I thought he and Jose were the best of friends?
It’s a crash and burn approach going in for the Fish. Oh I am so disappointed.
Torres is flat out AWFUL. They guy is on the downside of a sub-mediocre career and coming off a year where he hit 221 last year. He was on the bench more and more last year with the Giants and their outfield was not made up of a group of solid players. 2012 is going to be a disaster.
It’s not like they traded Mays or DiMaggio for Torres.
When Sandy Alderson gets the Mets payroll below $100 million a ticker-tape parade down Broadway towards the Canon of Heros should be planned. Problem is, only Fred and Jeff Wilpon will attend and Sandy-Bagged will be riding in a 1982 Datsun B-210 with a busted sunroof.
we’re going backwards fast.
“and even as a fourth outfielder he does have some value in that he’s a switch-hitter and could pinch hit, he’s an above average defender at all three outfield spots and he has great speed as a pinch-runner off the bench.”
For now that sounds good to me until I can see him actually play the field over a period of time come Spring Training. It seems he is considered a defensive upgrade at CF over Pagan and if that turns out to be the case I am on board for that. The minus is the bat agreed and can he handle being an everyday player health-wise. He had 2 dl stints last season the 1st for an left achilles strain in April the 2nd in August a lower right leg contusion after fouling a ball of his shin.
In the end though I am not 100% sure he ends up being the starting CF.
i enjoyed reading all these posts as they were well written and researched. Unfortunately as long as the criminal Wilpons are ruining the show (no pun intended) our Mets will never be competitive. Happy holidays.