According to Andy Martino of the Daily News, Wilmer Flores is impressing Mets brass with how hard he’s working on his agility and fitness during the team’s off-season conditioning program in Port St. Lucie.
Sandy Alderson has been very outspoken about how pleased he is with Flores, and recently told Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com, “I’m one of those people that says put him out there and see what can happen, which is why we played him so much last year.”
“He did a nice job for us last year. Can he do that on a whole season basis? Offensively he got much better as time went on. I hope it works. I like Wilmer.”
While it’s widely reported that Alderson is monitoring the shortstop market and has checked in with some teams on the trade front, nothing appears imminent. But the Mets GM isn’t ruling out that Flores will be his Opening Day shortstop and says his defense is not a disqualifier.
“I think the issue has always been whether he can play defensively adequately or better,” Alderson said. “And a lot of us think he has the ability or the potential to do that.”
Last week, Sandy said Flores compared favorably to any shortstop that is currently available in free agency or trade.
“Wilmer at shortstop is one of those guys that doesn’t pass the eye test but if you start to look at his matrix a little bit you realize there’s maybe a little more there than we give him credit. And offensively there’s as much potential with him as probably anybody that’s available.”
Given the exorbitant demands from teams with shortstops to trade, I’d be shocked if Wilmer Flores was not the Opening Day shortstop.
November 12
While Sandy Alderson is prepared to engage a few teams to try and upgrade the shortstop position, he pretty much ruled out the possibility that the Mets would turn to free agency.
“We all know what’s available in the free-agent market. And there are a few teams that have middle infielders to trade,” Alderson said Wednesday at the GM Meetings. “But I’d say there are few of those clubs. So it may take us awhile to really figure out what’s available and what’s not and what fits and what doesn’t.”
Sandy is referring to the Mariners, Diamondbacks, Cubs and White Sox, who the Mets have reportedly checked in with in recent weeks. Most of those teams are looking for team-controlled young starting pitching, but the Mets would prefer to move Colon, Gee or Niese rather than give up one of their prized young arms and the odds that any deal gets done are not promising.
So while it may not be his first choice, Alderson said he has no problem if Wilmer Flores ends up being the Mets Opening Day shortstop.
“I know there are fans out there that don’t want to hear it, but if we had to go into the season with Flores as our shortstop, I’m certainly not in a panic mode at that point,” Alderson said. “Wilmer at shortstop is one of those guys that doesn’t pass the eye test. But if you start to look at his metrics a little bit, you realize there’s maybe a little more there than we give him credit. And, offensively, there’s as much potential with him as probably anybody that’s available.”
At the end of the season, Alderson praised how far Flores had come in the eyes of the organization. “Wilmer’s done a very nice job at shortstop and he’s made all the routine plays,” the GM said. “He’s got the arm, he turns the double play. He’s probably not Andrelton Simmons but not many are. So I think for a young guy who came in under a real microscope at that position I think he’s done an outstanding job.”
However, it’s what Flores can do offensively that makes him such a valuable asset.
“I think he’s beginning to show he can hit at this level to the same or similar level that he did in the minor leagues,” Alderson said. “He needs to be a little more selective at the plate, but he’s gradually ascending to that level. I think it’s largely a result of the playing time and getting comfortable. But for a young guy, he’s not fazed by much.”
Flores, 23, struggled with sporadic playing time after he was initially promoted. But once he was instilled as an everyday player he displayed his power potential, posting a .489 slugging percentage and .791 OPS in his last 96 plate appearances with 11 extra base hits including four home runs.
