6
2012
So Who’s Excited About The Bay/Duda Platoon In 2013?
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Lucas had the coolest nickname heading into 2012, “The Dude”. To live up to that we need to see many more pretty swings like this one in 2013.
The Mets brass has made it clear that they don’t intend on cutting Jason Bay, but who knows if that will be the case or not. Sandy made a statement when he first arrived, and cut Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez in his first Spring Training at the helm. Next season will be no different, as he will enter the Spring with a drastically underachieving, grossly overpaid player in Bay. Although this time I don’t see him making the same statement. I think we will have to endure a lefty/righty platoon between Jason Bay and Lucas Duda for the ENTIRE 2013 season. However, by the end of this post you may not be so down about this platoon and what they can bring to the 2013 Mets.
The only way this platoon can work is if both of these players can combine for 20-25 home runs. There is some potential for that to happen, but it is just that, potential. We keep throwing that word around a lot lately. I guess we are all just hoping for some of these millionaires to play at the level of the money they earn.
I see Bay and Duda splitting time next season because it has “potential” to be a productive combination. Jason will see less playing time than Lucas for one simple reason. There are less left handed starters than right handed starters. I’m sure that is music to Mets fans ears.
Jason looks pretty walking into the dugout after a home run, hopefully we will some more this next season
Let’s just look at this realistically. I don’t want any GM speak, or want to hear any spin on the situation. The fact is that we don’t have the money so spend to fill out an entire outfield, We can’t eat Bay’s contract and go out and sign someone better. Lucas struggles against lefties, and Bay against righties. So the solution is to bat them both to their strengths, keeping Bays butt on the pine against righties, and Duda watching versus lefties.
So what are some realistic numbers for these two?
Bay hit eight home runs in 2012, four against righties and four versus left handers. However, he drove in 15 runs against lefties as a pose to just 5 versus right handed pitchers. Jason’s batting average was hideous in 2012 altogether, but his career .275/386/502/888 slash line against lefties is not bad.
Duda hit 15 homers this past season. His average was the same against both lefties (.239) and righties (.240). However, very similar to Bay, his production was much greater on his opposite side. He had 46 RBI against right handers with 11 home runs, while he has just 4 home runs and 11 RBI versus lefties.
Combining their numbers for the 2012 season, the Mets received 23 home runs and 77 RBI. A platoon like this does not sound very exciting, but would you take a starting outfielder who hit 23 home runs and drove in 77 for next season? I know I would.
I think it is safe to say we can expect anywhere from 20-30 home runs, and 75-85 RBI combined from a platoon between these two players. That’s not to shabby for two guys who got benched, demoted, and publicly shredded in 2012.
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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|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
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“Bay hit eight home runs in 2012, four from each side of the plate”
Let me find out Matt Cerrone is posting here under an alias
sorry about the error it will be fixed
by the way, good one on your Cerrone comment!
“Bay hit eight home runs in 2012, four from each side of the plate. However, he drove in 15 runs against lefties as a pose to just 5 versus right handed pitchers”
LMAO, the funniest sh** i have heard in a while in this site!!!!!!!!!! He drove 15 runs and we somehow celebrate that!?!?!? Lmao…… My god…
But he’s gritty !
Alex, you can’t hide we all know your a closet Jason Bay fan!
Lmao, yeah, he hustles… We should give this guy all type and kinds of chances because of that.. Never mind he’s been the biggest Piece of ____ as a FA in NY Mets history, keep him in the roster because he is a good clubhouse guy, he hustle and he’s gritty….
Well to be fair…Bay…like Sandy…didnt really wanna come here…Peter Gammons said that Jason Bay told him that he would rather play in Beirut than in Queens….
Why would you platoon…in a year when you KNOW you are not competing for a WC…much less the division…?
Lucas Duda needs to learn how to hit left-handed pitching….he cant do that from the bench
This is all about 2014 and beyond…
Holding onto Bay reinforces what someone once famously said about the Coupons
Fred is NOT “I’m never gonna spend money cheap”
Fred is:”I’m gonna use this busted radio that only plays 2 stations and only goes half-way up in volume because I already paid for it cheap”
This is why most GM’s cant survive in Queens…
where as other GM’s or managers have the ability to bench unproductive players or release them…
a gm and manager for the mets is stuck with that player
What if the Mets moved Lucas Duda to LF when bay was injured….
What if Lucas showed that LF was his best position….
Now when Bay comes back….Fred’s refusal to bench/release bay ( which exhibits his cheapness ) is out front and center…
This is why i always say…we wont go anywhere so long as Fred Coupons is owner of this team
Great post EXCEPT for one thing: both players are extremely flawed.
Duda cant catch the ball so he better give you a lot more than 15/57 to offset all the runs he gives up in the field. As for Bay, I am not even going to look up his splits. He hit .165. That is awful no matter how it breaks down.
The only hope is that one of the two finds a consistent productive stroke. I dont believe there is a likelihood that both will perform well even in a reduced role. Honestly, I feel the only hope is that Duda becomes somewhat productive and hits around 25 hrs. If he can do that, he is tolerable. Bay, I foresee him coming to ST, having a lackluster performance, and being cut. He simply does not have it at the plate anymore. I dont know if it is mental, NY, his eyesight, or whatever. The bottom line is he doesnt hit and I cant see that changing.
Ideally, the Mets would be in terrific shape if both came into ST mashing the ball. Then you could have Duda in LF and Bay in RF (because Duda for some reason is even worse in RF than LF) and the lack of RH production is aided. Of course, ideally I would win the lottery and my financial problems would be solved. But you never know, long shots sometimes pay off (just not usually for the Mets).
Hey it was the sophmore jinx for Duda. Bay………………….He will be on a contract push. Like they say YA never know.
Also, isn’t “The dude” rightfully Lenny Dykstra?
Since Lenny was convicted, he gave up all rights, including to “the dude”.
No, they call him “The Convict” now.
Not the preferred solution, but given the $$$ situation I can live with Bay/Duda in LF. I can also live with Kirk/Hairston in RF. However, Mets desperately need a CF/leadoff that plays really good D (Span, Fowler by trade), a decent closer (Madson signing), and a servicable RH catcher (Shoppach signing). If they can make these 3 additions via trades/signings without trading MLB pitching (Niese, Dickey) or top flight prospects, they should be respectable in 2013 and can build from that base. This is doable, but the Wilpons need to find another $10 million under the matress or between the sofa cushion.
Yeah, If you are going to platoon Bay at all, it should be in rightfield with Baxter and let Duda play against all pitching.
Seeing as Bay is one of our better defensive outfielders: more him to right field with Baxter.
Duda should be showcased this coming year so he can be traded to a team that will use him as a 1B or DH because that’s what he is. He’s of no use to us if he’s going to play outfield.
Hey here’s an idea, platoon Bay with Ike at 1B, then trade Duda for another RH 1B that can platoon with Ike after Bay leaves. Solved!
Ike will be traded once Flores is ready anyway.
Is George Foster available?
Duda breaks wrist, Bay released. Plan B?