Reese Kaplan - Handicapping the Las Vegas Position Players

While a lot of time and attention has been focused on the young arms in the AAA rotation and bullpen, not nearly as much speculation has been made regarding the position players.  Let’s take a brief look at who might play what role under the Las Vegas sun.

1^st Base

Josh Satin may get the majority of innings at this corner if Zach Lutz makes it to The Show due to the injury to David Wright.  Satin can flat-out hit, yet his defensive prowess is Murphy-esque.    Trying to play all over the diamond can’t help. 

2^nd Base

Right now it would appear that Wilmer Flores should get a chance to master yet another new position with his glove not suitable for SS and 3^rd base currently blocked for the next 7+ years by David Wright.  First base is similarly blocked by Ike Davis who shows flashes of plus-defender capabilities.  Flores was a work-in-progress during his Spring Training innings on the right side of the infield.  However, 20 HR power and a high average would make him a very valuable commodity either in Queens or on the trading block.  Remember Reese Havens?  I don’t think anyone else does.

Shortstop

Right now it appears to be a toss-up between Brian Bixler here on a minor league deal, Brandon Hicks (currently on the 40 man roster) and (dark horse) Justin Turner (coming off an injury and not having logged a lot of innings at this position).  Turner has an option to burn and his missed time could work against him if the Mets choose to go north with Lutz and Quintanilla.  Wilfredo Tovar could move up but he’s Ruben Tejada Lite – no speed, no power and poorer batting average.  The better SS prospects are buried deeper in the minors.

3^rd Base

The loser of the SS sweepstakes could move over to the hot corner, though it may once again be manned by slugger Zach Lutz once Wright is back at 3^rd when his injury heals or Lutz’ annual season-threatening injury occurs. 

Catcher

Assuming the Mets are too tight-fisted to start Travis D’Arnaud in the big leagues, then he will be the main man behind the dish.  Backing him up may be big Landon Powell who, given his off-season tragedy, probably simply wants to work, regardless of the role he’s asked to play.  Juan Centeno will likely begin the year in AA, but once D’Arnaud moves to New York he will likely ascend to a starting role in Las Vegas.  With John Buck and Anthony Recker currently penciled in for the Major League roster, one of them will be pushed out.  They could release Recker or Powell, or possibly look to move Buck in a trade to a club that suffers a starting catcher injury. 

Outfield

Matt den Dekker needs to prove he can be something other than a windmill with the bat before he ascends from AAA to the majors.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis needs to recapture whatever mojo he once had (and to stay healthy) if he’s ever going to land a steady Major League job.  That leaves one open position on one of the corner outfield positions.  Juan Lagares had something of a down year in 2012 but given the dearth of outfielders nearly Major League ready, my guess is that he lands in AAA.  There will be contracts offered to some of the Spring Training cast-offs to play the Fred Lewis role such as Andrew Brown or Jamie Hoffman, but their presence is strictly for the bench. 

Overall

Ironically the two most consistent offensive producers are both in that AAAA role – Satin and Lutz.  A lot of eyes will be on Flores as he’s one of very few young offensive players with positive potential.  The human highlight reel in centerfield is always entertaining, but den Dekker needs to show he can adjust to the next level.  At 25 and not yet having mastered AAA time is running out on him to be anything more than a late inning defensive replacement.