Mets Positional Future - 1B

Positional Future – 1B

Okay, this is a completely different animal than 2B.

The Mets hoped to solve their future 1B needs by drafting Ike Davis in the first round of the last draft. The problem that has developed is the fact that Davis did not show the kind of pop Mets fans are accustomed to on this position.

I truly believe that the Mets have a template for what they consider a first baseman. He needs to be taller than Mike Jacobs, have more power than Mike Carp, and a better all around game than Craig Brazell.


Current Mets:

Carlos Delgado - it’s going to be pretty impossible not to recognize Delgado’s team MVP efforts this past season. Yes, the Mets may still make a few phone calls to Mark Teixeira’s agent, but, I’m going to assume that Tex goes elsewhere. You have to pick up the option to the best first baseman in the league during the 2nd half of the season, don’t you (sort of the same boat that the Yanks are in with Giambi).

Utility wise, the Mets have or could have used either Marlon Anderson, Daniel Murphy, or Fernando Tatis to give Carlos v2.0 a day’s rest.


Pipeline:


Ike Davis - still the top choice for future Mets 1Bman, but he needs to step it up with a wood bat in 2009. I only have one 1Bman in my top 50 prospect list, and that would be Davis.

Mike Carp - Carp really isn’t a 1B prospect. He’s, at best, a future AL DH. If the Mets had plans of using him at 1B in Queens, he would have played 2008 in New Orleans. This just isn’t going to happen.

Lucas Duda - Had a nice first year in Brooklyn in 2007, got off to a hot start in Lucy this year, but faded. Doesn’t look like he’s a candidate either.

And, that’s it. Teams like Savannah spent the season in search of one by converting players that played other positions. And, there’s no one making headlines in K-Port, GCL, or the Latin teams either.

Draft Needs:

It just isn’t a wise move to draft a first baseman with a 1st or 2nd round pick. First basemen in high school and college usually mean they are limited in basic baseball ability. The Mets shouldn’t be trying to solve the future needs of this position through the draft. I’m sure the Mets plans before the all-star break were to open their bank account to Tex’s agent, but that probably has changed now. Carlos Delgado deserves at least one more year in CitiFiled, and the issue of a future first baseman can be tabled for a year.

Trade Needs:

Like drafting, why trade for an established first baseman before the start of the 2009 season when you still have one of the best available to you at a discounted rate. A new first baseman is 2010’s problem. The Mets need to concentrate on finding a 5th starting pitcher, help in the pen, and a real outfielder.