Moving On… and Up – Mack Ade

Enough of the gloom and doom.

Let’s take another look, position by position,  at the “current” future of this team:

1B – Future all-star Ike Davis returns 100% healthy. In addition, there are two other first baseman (Lucas Duda, Daniel Murphy) on the 25-man and Allan Dykstra in the system in case of an emergency. Tremendous depth of talent here.  Rating:A+

2B – 2012 looks like a Justin Turner/Daniel Murphy platoon until Reese Havens makes his way to Queens. Havens was drafted by the Mets in the same year, and round, as Ike Davis, and, barring any additional back problems, will make his way to Flushing latest in September. Every scout I have ever talked to had Havens ranked ahead of Davis. Behind him by a couple of years is the 2011 draft steal, Philip Evans. Evans will play SS in 2012 but will convert to second before his 2015 ETA.  Rating: A

SS – I’ve always liked Ruben Tejada, but he’s no John Kennedy. The Mets have had the luxury of having an all-star at this position for the past few years, which they will not have with Tejada, and his replacement someday, Jordany Valdespin. Still, both of these  guys will settle into the 8^th slot and will not embarrass the team. Rating:  C+

3B – David Wright is a legitimate all-star. The new dimensions of Citi-Field will improve his stats, the size of the stadium will be out of his head, and he will play 2012 below the age of 30. Life is good here and look for an early re-signing for 5-6 more years. Rating: A

LF – As in the case of Wright, the new field dimensions will help Jason Bay, but nothing will get this guy a new Met contract beyond the one he has right now. The amount he’s paid will keep him in the field, but 2014 is about a year too early for Brandon Nimmo. Still, the future of left field looks very bright. Rating:  B+

CF – No one stands out here, including the guy who is currently playing here. I’m hoping that the 2012 season produces big seasons for Kirk Nieuwenhuis and/or Matt den Dekker, who both could someday play in Queens, but I still have both as future utility players. The future Mets center fielder may be drafted this year.  Rating:  D

RF – Everybody keeps talking about how the new Citi Field dimension sis going to help David Wright. Well, wait until you see Lucas Duda’s numbers in 2012. He’ll adequately hold the fort down here until something better comes along. No, this isn’t perfect, but it isn’t center field either. Rating:  C+

C – Josh Thole isn’t enough, and there now is enough talent in the system to go get someone like Yasmani Grandal away from Cincinnati. In addition, look for one of the four top 2012 Mets picks to go for a catcher (Mike Zunino if he miraculously is still around at the 12^th pick, or Stryker Trahan with the sup pick). Right now, there is no one in the system to even test Thole. Rating:  F

SP – I’ve spent a number of posts on the future of this position. Simply put, there is enough top talent here to stock an all-star rotation, plus a couple more to package and go get either an outfielder or catcher. Rating:  A+

RP – Lots of work needed here across the board. 2012 is a crap shoot; however, there are some very talented pitchers in the system – Jenrry Mejia, Josh Edgin, Dylan Owen, Chris Schwinden, Dillon Gee, Darin Gorski, Armondo Rodriguez, Brant Rustich, Robert Carson, Jack Leathersich, Cory Mazzoni, Taylor Huchington, Hamilton Bennett, Taylor Whitenton, Angel Cuan, Gonzalez German, Elvin Ramirez – that could wind up in the Queens pen some day. However, for now:  Rating:  F