It appears that Eric Campbell has locked up the final bench spot even before the Mets play one inning of Grapefruit League games which begin on Wednesday.
Terry Collins has had Campbell playing all all over the field so far in spring training.
“He’s going to wear every one of those gloves that is in his bag this spring,” Collins said Monday. “He’s going to play some third and he’s going to play a little bit in the outfield once we make some decisions in the outfield and he will get some time out there.”
Campbell has also been getting reps behind the plate this Spring and was already anointed the team’s third catcher by Collins last week.
On Monday, Campbell was observed playing shortstop and second base, to which Collins said, “it may prove useful in an emergency and gives us more options.”
With Anthony Recker, Ruben Tejada and John Mayberry Jr. also assured of spots on the Opening Day roster, it would seem the final spot will go to one of Kirk Nieuwenhuis or Matt den Dekker, and because the former is out of options, it’s almost a certainty that Kirk makes the team out of camp as well.
Barring any unforseen injuries, or one of those players falling completely flat on their face, your 2015 bench is pretty much set before the umpire screams, “Play ball!” tomorrow afternoon.
