It’s odd to think about the months of November, December and January right now. After all, it’s still hitting 90 degrees on almost a daily basis and there’s still almost two months of baseball left to play. Football hasn’t started and no teams have clinched playoff berths yet. Still, the Mets are poised to help their offseason by showcasing a few key players during August and September. Those showcases begin in earnest today.
We’ll start with the recently recalled Matt den Dekker. who was leading the Pacific Coast League in batting with his .334 batting average. This isn’t so much an aberration but a progression for the young outfielder. In five seasons of minor league ball he has a .289 average and a .824 OPS. If den Dekker can avoid the injury bug, he’s still an extremely promising prospect, even at age 26.
With Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson secure in center and right field, den Dekker could make sense in left if he’s able to produce the way he had in AAA. During his very limited stint in the majors, he batted just .184 over the 2013 and 2014 seasons. You’d imagine that his incredible run in Las Vegas could mean he has finally turned the corner.
The major problem with den Dekker is that he isn’t a power hitter, the obvious need for the Mets in left field. Assuming the big bat is still high on the priority list, there won’t be a position for him in 2015. That could mean his anticipated playing time, could be important for Sandy Alderson’s offseason plans. If he hits the way he’s shown in AAA, you can add him to the long list of players other teams could seek in a trade.
Also in this group of potential showcase players will be Wilmer Flores and Lucas Duda. Both have the ability to make a case for next season, but I don’t believe either can do so with a weak August and September.
If Duda falters then eyebrows will be raised and Alderson could shift a portion of his offseason to thinking about the first base situation. Again. Flores is in a straight audition. He can win this job with a stellar showing at the plate. But if he’s unable to get his average up and show some power, Flores will find himself without a position on the Mets in 2015.
Finally, there’s Bartolo Colon. After win No. 200 last night, the veteran needs to stay sharp so that Alderson has some flexibility and a valued commodity. If a pitcher on a playoff contender goes down in August then Colon could become the missing piece. That could net another prospect or maybe a major league ready bat heading into next season. If that isn’t the case, Alderson will try to trade Colon in the Winter, a proposition that will be hindered if he doesn’t finish the 2014 season strong and healthy.
The next few months will be fun for the Mets. We’ll get to see a lot of youth and a lot of the future. We could find a third outfielder, a starting shortstop or maybe even add some new prospects in a waiver deal. Strap yourselves, think 2015, and enjoy the final few weeks of 2014. Remember, it’s almost Harvey time!
