When healthy the Middle Infield Picture is Mighty Crowded

According the reports out of Port St. Lucie the rejuvenated Wilmer Flores whose stock has already rebounded with his fine offensive year is now playing 3 straight games at 2nd base. 


Really?  For a guy who was determined not to have the range to play SS, 2B doesn't seem like that much of a defensive advantage.  3B looked like a better fit since he allegedly has a strong arm, but with a long term deal for Wright on the horizon anyone who plays the hot corner better not take out any long term leases.  Are you listening, Jefry Marte?  Zach Lutz?


Still, getting him prepared to play a new position at 2B is probably a smart move with Marte entrenched at 3B in Binghamton.  It does, however, highlight the logjam that's happened at 2B which is not quite as apparent with shortstops dropping like flies.  Let's review:

• Ruben Tejada -- Collins recently used the term "offensive force" with respect to the diminutive Tejada -- something many would have laughed at a year ago.  Still, his OBP and solid if not stellar defense make him tough to move off that position when healthy.
• Daniel Murphy -- He's likely one of those players about whom they say "he could awaken from a coma and strike a double in his first AB" yet his lack of power this year is somewhat troubling.  He's a guy who once (embarrassingly) led the team in HRs with 12.
• Jordanny Valdespin -- The man born to be a DH, he has that rare combination of speed and power that people would love to see every day, but thus far he's proved lethal with his glove.  The OF may be his permanent home, and with Bay being Bay, Baxter out and Torres making people long for the offense of Jason Pridie, I would think there is a place out there for him to play semi-regularly.
• Reese Havens -- The forgotten man with the great first name, he's on the cusp of ending his prospecthood.  At his age he's not progressed enough (due to the multiple injuries) and people are understandably reluctant to hand him a regular role knowing he's F-Mart-like in his durability.
• Wilmer Flores -- Now comes the interesting part.  He was all but written off last year and has rebounded nicely.  Can he parlay his fine A+ start into a promotion to AA and continue to show a .300 bat with power?  If so, he nicely muddies the waters for 2014 or thereabouts. 

I think the Mets have some interesting trade chips to use in the coming off-season (or perhaps as soon as the All-Star break).  Throw in Marte, too.  Lutz needs to be able to walk in order to be marketable.