25
2012
The New Look Mets Bench: Juggling Act
An article by 
As has been a recurring theme in the Mets last few years, the injury bug has hit and its done a drastic reshaping on the entire roster in a matter of three weeks. How will the Mets manage to handle the loss of key players, with the addition of new, younger players who are talented, but untried at the MLB level.
With the rash of injuries on the offensive side of the ball, the Mets have three new players occupying their team and two of them are riding the pine at the moment. The new look bench at the moment replaces a good defensive player (Cedeno) with a player with endless potential and growing versatility/hitting prowess which would be 2B/SS/CF Jordany Valdespin. Valdespin had a breakout year between AA and AAA in 2011, hitting .294 with 17 home runs, 60 RBI and 37 SB’s. ‘Spin’s biggest flaw thus far has been an inability to draw walks. However, this season in 78 AB’s at Buffalo, Jordany had a 5/7 BB/K ratio which shows signs of improvement in either pitch recognition or contact ability. While he does have versatility on his side, with Cedeno on the shelf he will be seeing most of his time in the infield.
Jason Bay (slight rib fracture) was placed on the DL Tuesday, and to fill his spot came 25 year old Buffalo Bisons 1B/3B Zach Lutz. While Lutz does not fill the extra outfield spot, Lutz does provide the Mets with another right-handed bat, and a power bat at that. Zach has always posted good ISO numbers when he has played, and across four levels in 2010 put up 19 HR in 309 AB’s. Power like that doesn’t grow on trees, but when you play two positions occupied by David Wright and Ike Davis, that will not be the quickest trip to the big show. The knocks on Lutz are inability to consistently make contact, striking out in nearly 25% of his at-bats. However, the only RH options on the bench have been Scott Hairston, Mike Nickeas and Ronny Cedeno. With Bay’s injury, Hairston & Mike Baxter will be part of a platoon until the return of Andres Torres. The complex situation right now is Torres rehab, because once he returns it becomes a guessing game as to who stays and who goes.
With the bench as it stands, it will consist of Mike Nickeas, Jordany Valdespin, Justin Turner, Zach Lutz and one of Mike Baxter or Scott Hairston depending on the pitching matchup. The only downside in this is the bench will be leaning heavily on power to the right side, with the left side being more of a contact based approach.
Logic would say the first bat off the bench against lefties for power will be Hairston, and the first bat up against righties will be Baxter due to contact. While this bench provides more versatility and offensive prowess with Lutz and Valdespin, taking 15+ years of MLB experience off the team does hurt it. Hopefully, this two-week tryout can provide the Mets a sense of where the future lies with these two players.
About the Author: Sean Kenny
Sean Kenny is a student/writer currently attending school at the City College of New York. For more Mets news, notes and thoughts follow him on twitter @TheSeanKenny
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I hate to say it but I actually thought it was great having 3 rookies playing the outfield last night. I think the team needs more of this.
Lets cut the crap! Lets just admit we are rebuilding and play all the youngsters. Does it really matter if we finish in 4th or 5th place?
I hate that injuries are forcing us to play the young kids, but it seems that is the only way it is going to happen.
Hopefully we can unload some of the bad contracts at the trading deadline and continue on the right course.
I don’t really care if they play .500 ball or not! To me either you are in the playoffs or your all first losers.
LOL you kind of have to laugh since people have been looking for a reason to Sit Bay and get him out of the lineup for two years running now!
And now that he is out they are going to panic about who is going to take his place?
Last year people would have accepted a cardboard cutout in LF over Bay! LOL
We are going to be just fine with the loss of Bay…The Loss of Pelfrey is kind of worrisome in regards to you don’t want them to rush Harvey or Familia and there isn’t much else that we can go to.
I say give it to Hefner at least if he does reasonably well you got one more gy to trade for a real ace if one is made available!
Last year people would have accepted a cardboard cutout in LF over Bay!
Metsie – That’s not true! Most of us preferred plastic to paper.
LOL some of us are also less enviornmentally sound than others too! LOL
I guess that was kind of out of touch by me especially with the Mets announcing their All New Green Initiatives at Citi. Just got this press release in an email from them:
FLUSHING, N.Y. — The New York Mets today announced the expansion of green initiatives at Citi Field building on the sustainable environmental programs introduced with the design, construction and opening of the ballpark three years ago.
The Mets, in partnership with Action Carting Environmental Services and ARAMARK, are composting in all kitchens, suites, clubs and restaurants. Grass clippings from the field are also being composted.
In addition, new Action Carting recycling receptacles are located throughout Citi Field, helping the Mets achieve an equal number of recycling containers to trash bins. Cans, plastic or glass bottles and cardboard will continue to be recycled including Budweiser’s new Mets 50th Anniversary aluminum bottles. Beer cans are no longer being poured into cups to reduce waste.
ryer oil is being recycled in all concession stands, kitchens, clubs and restaurants. The waste oil is converted into biodiesel fuel and then reused in biodiesel-ready field equipment. Alliance Building Services uses green cleaning materials in its efforts to keep Citi Field clean.
The Mets and ARAMARK are purchasing green products including compostable utensils and post-consumer recycled cups, plates, and napkins.
The expanded program was scheduled to be announced yesterday, to coincide with Earth Day, but the game was rained out.
These new efforts complement the existing programs geared to make Citi Field environmentally friendly. The ballpark was built with recycled concrete and construction vehicles were fueled with ultra-low sulfur diesel. The Mets save more than four million gallons of water per year by using 414 hands-free faucets, 635 automated toilet flush-valves, and 270 waterless urinals. A 11,000 square foot green roof atop the administration building in rightfield, white PVC roofs throughout the ballpark, high mast parking lot light fixtures, permeable pavers, and an underground well used to irrigate the playing field are other ways the Mets are working at Citi Field to protect the environment.
“The Mets, in partnership with Action Carting Environmental Services and ARAMARK, are composting in all kitchens, suites, clubs and restaurants. Grass clippings from the field are also being composted. ”
Not to self: eat before arriving at the park.
LOL I wonder if they have composted some of that Manure they have been spreading on the field as of late!