11/11/13

Ernest Dove - What's to become of Mets OF prospect Cesar Puello?

cesar puello AA ball pic

We've spent all offseason (well, most of the actual 2013 season, as well) waiting for Sandy Alderson and Company to do one thing: Sign some outfielders.
Chances are, one way or another (perhaps even before this article posts LIVE) the Mets will have two new starting outfielders for the 2014 season.
However, I was just wondering, what happens to Mets Outfield Prospect Cesar Puello?
We all know about Mets management, and their 'managing' of the recent pitching prospects. Super 2 or not, bottom line is that Harvey, then Wheeler, and possibly now Noah Syndergaard, have and will most likely (THOR) wear a AAA jersey to start off the year, before making a grand entrance by summer time.
Another thing we all now know is that, out of nowhere, a barely top 20 Mets prospect named Juan Lagares bursted on to the scene, following a bunch of injuries and bad signings (some guy named Cowgill) to win our hearts with his glove, and arm.
However, although there were plenty of others who earned their way to Citi Field last year from the minors, nobody else exactly lit up the world offensively, or defensively (unless you count Catcher Juan Centeno throwing out a speedy prospect from the Reds named Billy Hamilton).
So now, as we enter upon the all important offseason, and even more important 2014 season, we are all waiting and expecting to see what $10+ million dollar men will be patrolling the outfield for the Mets, alongside Lagares.
But again, I just can't help but wonder what's up with Cesar Puello? A young man who will only be turning 23 when the 2014 season gets underway.
We can kind of see in what direction the Mets, and Sandy Alderson, are going in. The new idea is to build from within, and perhaps prevent the future Jason Bay's of the world from entering out atmosphere.
However, come offseason 2013, and into 2014, the Mets have only 2 outfield prospects listed in their top 20. One is a 20 year old kid who couldn't even complete a full healthy season, during his first taste of actual full season baseball. The other just finished AA ball hitting .326, with 16 homers, 73 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases in only 91 games.
Of course, he only played 91 games because he was then suspended for the next 50, as part of the PED probe.
Currently, Puello is out in the Dominican Republic, where, in 14 games (41 ABs), he is only hitting .195, where only 1 of his 8 hits (a homer) went for extra bases. He also has 11 Ks, to go with 0 walks.
However, this is still winter ball. No reason to harp on this.
He still dominated AA ball, and if healthy, (and minus any PED in his system), he appears to have, and has always had, the tools to most likely destroy the ball out in the PCL with the Las Vegas 51s.
So what do the Mets do with him? Maybe Sandy Alderson already has this figured out. Remember, the Mets can go out and sign any outfielder they want, for 1, 2, or even 3 year contracts. But the fact remains that, for the right price, said outfielder can still be traded.
Either way, the sooner the season begins, the sooner those dog days of summer (and prospect dreams of THOR), may also come along. And he may joined by a man named Puello.
They say you can never have enough pitching. Well, based on the money, and 'player control', you can also never have enough outfields (hell, ask the Dodgers).
What do you say people? Will Puello be joining THOR to join a nice one-two punch of added life and adreniline to the Mets franchise?

6 comments:

Mack Ade said...

Word from the Dominican is that Puello is working on his timing.

The biogenesis mess will probably prevent any trade involving him.

He will get his shit together in Vegas and I expect him in RF in Queens by July

jonah said...

I am glad the Mets wont trade Puello. I think/hope/wish he will be the RF-er for the next 10 years. With Lagares in CF that is the start of a very nice outfield. Perhaps Nimmo can join both in 2015/2016?

Reese said...

Then where will Granderson play? I kid, I kid...

Chris said...

Is he considered a real prospect? Or a product of PED's. This year he had better shine.

Zozo said...

Hopefully they just sign 2 outfielders (Beltran, Byrd or Cruz) to 2-3 yr contracts. Cause I wanna see either Puello, Lawley and/ or hopefully Pederson manning the corners alongside Lagares for years to come???
As you can tell I don't want to go anywhere near Choo, Elsbury or Granderson. Hopefully Granderson excepts QO today to stay with the Skankees, and that will keep them away from Beltran.
The Mets need to go big or go home with either Tanaka or Cano!!!

Mack Ade said...

Chris, the Biogenesis suspension involves his 'activities' in 2012... not 2013 where he produced killer numbers.

Also, it's my understanding his 'association' with these people cost him 50 games, not taking any drugs.

I've always considered him a prospect and so has most of the scouts that have covered him.