Wilmer Flores has been as hot as anyone in the majors this month. Since returning from the disabled list on May 3, Flores is batting .377/.403/.536 with two home runs and 12 RBI. That kind of production should earn a player a starting spot in any lineup.
Except for maybe the Mets’ lineup.
Flores has yet to become an everyday starter thanks to Terry Collins‘ refusal to bench Jose Reyes. Despite his .193/.266/.310 slash, Reyes has become a permanent fixture in the Mets’ lineup. This should not be the case; Reyes has been abysmal all season. He’s supposed to be the team’s speedster, but with just six stolen bases this season his speed is simply not good enough to put him in the lineup for that reason alone.
When you combine Flores’ hot streak with Reyes’ poor season, it’s just about impossible to justify keeping Flores on the bench. Flores is a far better offensive third baseman at this point, and at least as good of a defensive third baseman. And he has shown marked growth this season when compared to seasons past.
Flores has a reputation as being a right-handed specialist– and he’s held true to that this year with a .417/.440/.708 slash against lefties. But this hasn’t precluded Flores from hitting right-handed pitching adequately this season. Against righties, he’s hitting .275/.301/.400. Flores’ slash against righties might not be dominant, but it’s far, far better than Reyes’ overall marks.
Flores’ advanced analytics are also far better than Reyes’ figures. Flores (0.5) is one full win above replacement over Reyes (-0.6), according to Baseball Reference. His 114 OPS+ puts Flores 59 points ahead of Jose Reyes in that department, and Flores’ negative one defensive run saved above average is two higher than Reyes’ -3 at third.
It’s really amazing that any of this needs to be said, but Flores needs to start over Reyes. The Mets have a long ways to go to get back to where they need to be– and they have many a need in the rotation and bullpen– but starting Flores would be a step in the right direction.
