A funny thing happened on Lagares's way to having a starting job in 2014 with no competition. Matt den Dekker finally got healthy. Healthy enough to hit an absolute bomb last night in DC. So now what?
I feel like im having deja vu all over again. Only, instead of having the argument that both Lagares and Young, Jr can't share the same outfield, neither can Lagares and den Dekker. It's for the same reason. Unless one of them can start hitting 15-25 homers a season, it just doesnt make sense. (Although, den Dekker did hit a combined 17 homers in 2011 for A-AA, and 2012 in AA-AAA)
I guess den Dekker and Lagares can be a platoon. But I personally hate platoons. You're either a starter, or not a starter. If a lefty-righty hitter can't hit a lefty-righty pitcher, then they need to be on the bench, or in the minor leagues.
So what to do with den Dekker? I guess the main concern is den Dekker apparent history of needing time to develop in a higher level, or in this case, the highest level on the Mets. He has a history of needing time to get used to the higher level of competition before hitting.
In 2011, den Dekker hit .296/.362/.494 while at High A level. After promotion to AA, he hit .235/312/.426.
In 2012, while remaining in AA level, he then tore the cover off the ball, hitting .340/.397/.563. However, once promoted to AAA level, he hit .220/.256/.373.
Once again, given a new year, and remaining at AAA level again to start this year (once healthy from wrist injury), .296/.366/.486.
One huge question for den Dekker is the strikeouts. Especially in the Mets 'moneyball'era, what we have is a plus defensive outfielder, who averaged over 20 stolen bases in the minors, but also averaged over 150 strikeouts.
The good news for den Dekker in his first week for the Mets. A boom shot to right field last night. He also has a walk, and 2 stolen bases. The bad news. Two games with 2 strikeouts each.
Bottom line. Are the Mets willing to let the 26 year old den Dekker fully develop, and have his shot in 2014?
The media, along with us Mets fans, have been 'reading into' Sandy Alderson/Terry Collins quotes and comments so often, it's like we are all interpreting the Bible.
So, depending on who you ask, it is unclear whether or not Sandy Alderson will spend the excess of money he will have in 2014, or will he wait until the apparently magical 2015 season.
If he spends the money, there is now also a chance a chunk of it will now go towards a front end starter to replace Harvey for next season. Or it will go towards an outfielder with a Major league history (sorry Matt), of hitting 15+ homers a season, to man a corner outfield spot. However, the Mets may also need a 1B, and a SS.
Depending on who you ask, maybe $50 mil could get you a decent OF, SS, 1B and pitcher. But if management quitely decides to wait on Harvey, and that mystical 2015 season, then we are looking at another year of rooting for our homegrown talent, including den Dekker, to produce.
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9 comments:
I think that the Mets would benefit from having one of the best defensive CFer's in the game. Luckily, they have two. Best yet, ones a righty and the other is lefty. It's perfect....
The Mets next year should look to acquire two corner outfielders with power. Then, platoon DS and Lagaras in center. You just can't underestimate what their defense brings to the table. They're game savers, run stoppers, etc.
DD had quite the prestigious shot last night. It was an absolute bomb! You stick him in the lineup against righties and he'll smack at least ten over the fence, give you speed on the base paths, and play gold glove caliber defense.
Lagaras against lefties you're going to get enough offense to justify his playing time while saving the Mets three or four loses a year.
It's a perfect platoon as long as Sandy provides the team with enough offensive production in the rest of the line up. Sign Choo and put him in left and sign Bryd or Beltran for right. That should be plenty of bats with what they already have.
The bigger question marks lie with SS and first, however if Sabdy gets those outfielders, you can live with Ike at first. If Ike stumbles again, stick Flores there.
I agree with Charley.......platooning MDD and JL is a nice "problem" to have. Combined, they could easily hit in the neighborhood of .260 with double digit home runs and stolen bases, while providing excellent defense on a nightly basis. Plus, when one of the pair starts, you have the other providing an excellent bench player for the day.
It worked pretty well for Davey Johnson and Co. in 1986, at more then one position.
The only caveat, also pointed out by Charley, is the need for offense from BOTH corner outfield slots (not to mention 1B and SS).
I like Beltran on a two year deal, which will buy Puello some time to develop and eventually take RF over. It is LF that will be more important going forward, meaning Sandy needs to find a player who can help now and in the future.
Maybe Choo is the answer?
While you're discussing platooning...
As of 1:22pm on Monday, Josh Satin is now 22 for 63 (.349) against left-handed pitching with a home run and eight doubles.
Half of your 2014 1Bman?
Josh is certainly an option. However I'd love to see what Flores would do over an entire first half in the bigs. This is a guy whose still filling out his tall and lanky frame.
I know his defense is suspect, but so was Murphy's until they let him grow into the position. The answer might be in multiple platoons all over the diamond.
Flores/Murphy at second
Ike/Satin at first
DD/Lagaras in CF
NO matter what you got three good bats in the line up and three good ones off the bench. Add in the two new corner outfielders and now you have a line up that hits every night.
this whole team gets down to corner outfielders
I like Beltran a lot still but u gotta think he's hunting for a World Series ring to finish his career. Do we really think he's going to want to come back? It's not about money or long term commitments when you have 2-3 years left. His best bet is going the Torii Hunter route and joining the best team with a vacant outfield spot. STL & TEX make the most sense for him. Maybe Boston if they let ellsbury leave and put victorino in CF
Lagares has actually been better against righties. Just an FYI.
Great article. I too am not a fan of platoons especially with young players. Additionally, the Red Sox are definitely appropriate spot for Beltran. Kudos for adding that comment, but still an apt addition to our Mets.
I like what I have been reading here but, how come no one is proposing a solution for SS?
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