29
2012
If Torres Is Not Ready To Go, Who’s Your Choice In Center?
An article by 
With opening day right around the corner Andres Torres is still not totally cleared to play. Torres has not played in a game since last week due to a strained calf muscle. He took indoor batting practice yesterday but that is a long way from playing in real game action. He still needs to be able to run the bases and shag balls in the outfield before we can see in the lineup again.
With that said, it is seriously time to figure out who is going to be the starting Center Fielder come opening day if he is not ready to go. The options are fairly limited and not all that impressive. You have Scott Hairston who is finally back healthy and was in yesterday’s starting lineup against the Braves. We have seen Jordanny Valdespin in center recently, as well as the recently recalled Matt Den Dekker from minor league camp. Jason Bay even went to Terry Collins last recently and told him he could fill in if needed. Kirk Nieuwenhuis recently returned from an injury as well.
None of these options are great by any means. Some are intriguing such as Den Dekker or Nieuwenhuis, and maybe even Valdespin, but all are unproven.
Matt Den Dekker according Sandy Alderson is a major league caliber Center Fielder right now. However his bat is not ready yet and he still needs to get a full season of at-bats in Double-A or Triple-A.
Jordanny Valdespin is versatile as he can play all three of the positions up the middle, but he is really just trying out Center Field and not ready to play there consistently.
Nieuwenhuis could have made an appearance last season when we had some injuries in the outfield, but he was hurt himself and missed out on the opportunity. He is the most Major League ready Center Fielder we have in terms of the complete package. His bat is ready and he good enough defensively to play the position.
We all know what Scott Hairston is and can do. In the short term he’s a decent fill-in, but he’s much better as a bench player.
With our bench being as weak as it is, a guy like Hairston is more important in that role if we have a young guy like Nieuwenhuis to play everyday in the absence of Torres. At this point I would rather see some of the kids play if an opportunity presents itself so they can get their feet wet as little. None of the options overwhelm you, but I would have to go with captain Kirk.
Who would you choose?
About the Author: Dan Valis
I am a staff writer for Mets Merized Online. I am a Mets team analyst with a focus on the minor league system, as well as the major league club. I am a lifelong New Yorker who was born and raised to be a Mets fan. The ups and downs of being a Mets fan is what makes following this team so much fun, but at times so frustrating. You can follow me on Twitter @BgAppleMetsTalk.
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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 | 24 | .400 | 6.5 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Jordanny Valdespin. You have a stiff playing second base. If the Mets don’t think that defense up middle counts for anything (against baseball wisdom) what else do you have to lose?
Unless Torres has a setback, it’ll be Hairston and Baxter and maybe Rottino on the roster too. Not going to bring up a prospect if Torres is only going to be a week late.
Agree with this. Hairston is back. I read Torres is close.
They’ll use Hairston with Baxter and some other fill in on the bench until Torres returns.
If Torres is not healing and will be out longer, it’ll be interesting to see what they do.
Yup, that’s my take on it too. Torres won’t miss much time if any. I got no problem with Hairston/Baxter/Rottino filling in for a few games. They each bring more to the table than Bay does.
Kirk, if they need a reasonably LT repalcement, and he is ready. neither of which is likely right at the moment.
I didn’t even want to mention Baxter because i really hope he is not an option. Why is it the Mets always start some nobody on opening day?
I don’t know but I’m sure agee will have a reason posted shortly and somehow it will have something to do with Putz and Alou.
Everyone’s a nobody until they’re somebody. Baxter is at least only 27 and never got a real shot in the Majors. He’s not Gary Matthews Jr. (Who I guess you’d have to say was a somebody right?)
a very well paid “star” somebody actually.
Injuries?
No team has star backups or even all that many name recognition back ups for every position.
I certainly don’t pay attention, but is it that rare for other teams to have a nominal starter hurt coming out of ST, so they open the season with a bench guy starting temporarily? And right now, it would be hairston most likely.
Off top of my head, I know the Phils will be starting some bench scrubs to start the year.
Gotta figure other big name players are missing opening day. And not all of them are getting replaced my other big name players!
Ideally Kirk Nieuwenhuis. He can play the position with no problems and can handle the bat rather well. Matt den Dekker has the CF glove, but not a major league bat (yet). Jordanny Valdespin has an impressive bat, but he JUST got into CF and I’ve had it up to HERE with on the job training at positions in the major league level with this team.
If there are any Torres fans out there, enjoy him on the Mets while you can, because odds are he’s one and done this year.
Carlos Beltran…oh wait, he’s in St. L. Fine, I’ll take Mookie, probably better than any CFer the Mets have in their system right now.
Mookie could most likely out play Carlos in CF right now too.
You might be right.
i have been a mets fan forever, and i can say that beltran is the best centerfielder (glove and bat) that the mets every had.