If we are to assume that the Wilmer Flores shortstop era has come to a close, then and a potential logjam at second base appears to be in the cards for the 2016 season. Based on Flores’ recent statement to the effect that his comfort level is higher on the right side of the keystone along with the clear evidence of improved infield play since the installation of Ruben Tejada at his more customary position, we are probably safe in projecting future infield assignments to follow the current model.
But if David Wright ever emerges from his injury limbo, be it later this season (a possibility that appears increasingly unlikely with every passing day) or in 2016, a jostling for position will likely ensue as a surplus of candidates to man second base will likely force the hand of management to make some sort of roster adjustment.
As presently constructed, the Met infield finally reflects an approach that allows the players involved to man the positions for which they are probably best suited. Daniel Murphy, veteran of multiple shifts around the infield (as well as an outfield experiment that is best forgotten), has always figured best as a third baseman, not coincidentally his primary position during his minor league career. Flores, following an early attempt to establish him at short, split most of his time in AA and AAA between third and second as the reality of his tall frame and less than lightning-quick footwork suggested that his optimal defensive assignment lay in one of those areas. Tejada, of course, is the best shortstop on the club, as least for the time being.
Add Wright to the picture and not only will Flores and Murphy likely be shifted yet again, but the addition of Dilson Herrera to the equation will surely complicate matters further. Despite looking somewhat overmatched during his previous tenure on the varsity roster earlier this season, he has continued to rake at Vegas which, considering his age (a still precocious 21 in the PCL), suggests that only a period of adjustment may be needed for his abilities to translate more fully to the major league level. For now, the team will likely be content to leave him at AAA until the roster expands in September, barring a trade or injury.
But what of the longer term? Obviously the intent is to let Murphy walk at the end of this season rather than re-sign him, but if that is the case, one wonders if no market truly exists for him. While never much of a factor in the power department, he certainly has been serviceable at third, a position that is not generally easy to fill, and his ability to hit in the upper part of the lineup should normally have piqued someone’s interest.
Regardless, if he is subtracted from the big picture but Wright is added back in, the question still boils down to Flores vs. Herrera. In the event that Wright cannot be counted on even for next season (a genuine possibility I’m sad to say), Flores looks to be the natural replacement at the hot corner. If he does return, well, other than allowing Herrera to languish at AAA as insurance (currently Zach Lutz‘s job now that Alex Castellanos has fled for the greener pastures of Japan), one would expect one of two things to happen:
1. If a deal for a new shortstop is not consummated this season, we should expect another go-round of Flores at that slot, regardless of all declarations that the “experiment” is over. On a club as offensively challenged as this one, the good of the team will be emphasized over positional preference. Flores, being the good soldier that he is, will undoubtedly say the right things and give it his best shot. Hopefully the result will not be his lack of range or quickness being a determining factor in a crucial play in a crucial game that leaves heads shaking during the off season.
2. If an actual upgrade of some sort is brought in to replace Tejada, let’s say Jean Segura for the sake of argument, and the team seems content to keep him installed at least until Ahmed Rosario shows whether or not he is deserving of the hype he is currently receiving, a healthy, or at least functional Wright will push the front office to make a choice. At 24 in August, Flores is still years away from his prime and has demonstrated at least moderate power, an increasingly sought-after commodity in the post-PED baseball universe. Herrera, despite his somewhat slight stature, has also demonstrated a penchant for producing extra base hits throughout his minor league career and because of his youth, carries the promise of outsize ability as he matures. Neither presently projects as a Gold Glover, but both seem at least capable in the field with the ability to improve with time.
What will ultimately determine the outcome in the short run will be Wright’s status, and based on what we’ve learned about the nature of spinal stenosis, this is not something that is likely to be something resembling a certainty going forward.
Accordingly, I expect juggling on the part of management to continue as long as Flores figures to be the primary insurance policy at third. If by some chance Sandy Alderson pulls off a shocker and deals a package to Milwaukee in return for Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura, the only real change will be a return of Tejada to the bench. If this imaginary trade is expanded to include the soon-to-be retired Aramis Ramirez, then we will likely see some platooning at second as the logjam returns.
All pretty much speculation for now, I know, but hopefully the team will have more questions to be resolved in the future brought about by a plethora of possibilities in the infield. There are worse things to have to deal with.
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