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1/10/14

Are the 2014 Mets a Better Team on Paper? (Second Basemen)



     The 1st part of our series showed that we should expect massive improvement from the catching position but the 2nd part curbed our enthusiasm with "same as last year" expected production from our 1B-men. Lets take a look at whether or not the team's 2B can make up for the 1B shortcomings.

(***Note this takes into account the team as it is today. Steamer Projections are extrapolated out to 162 games for the starter only.)

2013
Players: Daniel Murphy, Jordany Valdespin, Justin Turner, Eric Young Jr., Wilmer Flores
Stats: .283 AVG/.316 OBP/.421 SLG, 15 HR, 81 RBI, 18 SB,  40 2B, 5 3B, 33 BB, 100 K
(10th in MLB OPS)

     Many wondered if Daniel Murphy could hit enough to make up for his defensive shortcomings at 2B. He not only silenced his critics offensively, but also proved that he could be at least a league average defensive 2B. Murphy was the team's 2nd best hitter last season behind David Wright, the 2nd best base stealer behind Eric Young Jr., the most durable guy (taking only 1 game off), and even the team's Players Union representative. 

2014
Starter: Daniel Murphy
Steamer Projections: .280 AVG/.323 OBP/.408 SLG, 11 HR, 72 RBI, 13 SB, 37 BB, 88 K

     Steamer projections are pretty much saying Murphy is going to be the same player he's been over the past 2 seasons. If he can be the defensive player he was during the 1st half of the season, ALL season, he has the potential to be a 3.0 WAR player.

Verdict: Push. Expect the same good #2 hitter production that we are accustomed to seeing.


Mack - The starter here (Murphy) is one of the top 10 second basemen in baseball an his backup (Flores) is the top young back in the system. You couldn't possibly grade this out as anything other than a huge upgrade based on another year in the field for Murphy and 150-200 at bats for Flores as the DH when the team plays American League teams and 2B when Murphy spells someone at first.
on

4 comments:

  1. Reese KaplanJanuary 10, 2014 at 10:06 AM

    Except I don't expect Flores to be in Queens given the logjam at 1B and 2B already. What then of Eric Young, Lucas Duda, Ike Davis and Josh Satin? Plus Flores has options.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    I do not either....especially with word that Davis will be staying on the club for 2014. I don't see how the team could keep Davis, Duda, Satin, and Flores all on the same roster....Flores should end up in AAA playing 1B or 3B full-time.

    At this point I think he's trade material. I just don't see a fit for him on this team now or in the future.

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  3. Mack AdeJanuary 10, 2014 at 10:19 AM

    Reese -

    But Soto asked me to grade 2B on what they have... NOW...

    Maybe I should just mind my bees wax here...

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  4. David L. WhitmanJanuary 10, 2014 at 4:18 PM

    2B is really Murph and EYJr, Flores most likely will start the season in AAA. Will Murph regress or miss some games with injury? I think slightly on the former and probably on the latter. 140 games seems realistic. I also think pitchers will really work his weaknesses more so there will be an increase in SOs, decrease in walks and OPB as well as average. But he will hit for a bit more power I believe. As for his defense? Let's hope he's more his 1st half self in the field.

    EYJr gives us a solid utility back-up, and his presence as back-up 2B is a huge improvement over what he had for most of 2013.

    So 2B, even if Murph regresses some, will be a stronger position for the team in 2014.

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