After suggesting that left fielder Michael Conforto would be an option to play first base in the wake of the loss of Lucas Duda, manager Terry Collins walked back his earlier comments and shot down the idea,
“He is not a first baseman,” Collins said. “We are not here to take a kid who has never played first base at the major league level, in a situation where we’re expected to win a lot, and put an inexperienced guy in a tough position.”
“As I’ve tried to gingerly say it, this isn’t high school where you put the fat kid at first. This is an athletic position that they’re in a lot of action. There’s a lot of thing’s going on. Right now Michael has got a lot on his plate. I don’t need to add more to it.” (ESPN New York)
For the foreseeable future, the Mets will start Eric Campbell at first until Wilmer Flores returns from the disabled list very shortly.
“We think he can handle first base,” said Collins about Flores. “He’s a middle infielder, therefore he’s athletic enough to play there. Has he had enough reps? I’m not sure that’s necessary. He’s worked there enough in spring training. He’s had two or three games already this year over there. Playing in Double-A, he’s going to play first base again tonight. If he can catch a grounder and flip it to the pitcher, he’ll be fine.”
There is also a chance that the Mets could acquire help outside of the organization – James Loney has been linked to the Mets earlier this week.
