With defense continuing to be an issue for the Mets, John Harper of the NY Daily News argues that it’s time for Wilmer Flores to be moved to third base.
“It’s not as if Wilmer Flores has been a disaster there. But the more you watch him the more you realize that he can’t be counted on to make the type of crucial play that so often proves pivotal in September pennant-race games or even October playoff games.”
“So if the Mets are serious about trying to win a championship, they simply need a better shortstop.”
“There’s no telling who that will be for the long term, but for the short term it’s time the Mets put Ruben Tejada back at short and move Flores to third.”
Actually, second base would work just as well, with Daniel Murphy taking over at third base. But either way you go it’s a defensive upgrade.
On Friday night, the concerns about Flores defense escalated as he made a crucial mistake that spoiled Jacob deGrom‘s stellar outing.
With the tying run on third in the eighth inning, Flores took so long looking the runner back after fielding a one-hopper that his throw to first was too late to get the second out of the inning.
It was a play that spoke to Flores’ trouble with the speed of the game as a shortstop, which was a big issue earlier in the year when he was taking too much time fielding routine ground balls and throwing to first.
Harper spoke to an NL scout who told him:
“There’s a reason the Mets moved him (off shortstop) in the minors. He got himself in better shape the last couple of years and that helped, but the position is all about quickness — quick feet and quick hands, and that’s always going to be a problem for him.”.
Despite Flores’ struggles in the field, he remains a very talented young player. The 23-year old has exhibited a lot of power potential this season with ten home runs and 32 RBI in 65 games.
The problem is that Terry Collins and the Front Office continue to play him out of position. Put Flores at third base and he will have his ability and confidence thrive.
