With the amount of ink being devoted to the Mets’ SS and LF woes, you get tired of reading the same old names over and over again. Whether it’s the Diamondbacks and their middle infielder surplus, the Cubs and their plethora of options, the Dodgers` overcrowded outfield or the Rangers` capable shortstop duo. The fact remains that each of these options have been analyzed to death and many come with contracts that would not seem to fit the Mets. Starlin Castro or Elvis Andrus would look great anchoring the left side of the infield, but even if salary relief in the way of Bartolo Colon and Daniel Murphy happened it’s unlikely the Mets will want to add the long term albatross contracts like David Wright’s and Curtis Granderson’s.
For awhile there was a lot of buzz about the Seattle Mariners’ surplus. Would it be Brad Miller or Nick Franklin that would make his way to Queens? Well, it seems that they demonstrated to the world that prospects are just that -- prospects -- and success is no guarantee. At last look Nick Franklin was toiling in AAA for the Tampa Bay Rays and Chris Taylor (who I identified as a trade target a few months back) has now leapfrogged both of them and is hitting .315.
In perusing the Mariners organization I found a very young shortstop named Ketel Marte who has ascended to AAA at the tender age of 20. The past few years he’s improved his hitting, batting as high as .304 and stolen as many as 26 bases. The numbers are not knock-your-socks-off great, but at this age against the highest minor league competition he might be worth targeting.
Hiding in the Mexican league (where Marlon Byrd rediscovered himself) is a 25 year old named Paul Leon who has hit .304 and .303 in his last two minor league seasons. He shows a little bit of power -- 8 HRs -- but not much speed.
Another Mexican league player who has some nice numbers is Alberto Carreon. He’s hit .308, and .305 during 2012 and 2013. This year he’s stepped it up, hitting .333 with 11 HRs, 68 RBIs and 9 SBs in just 409 ABs. The OBP-obsessed Mets should like the fact his output has improved from .374 to .382 to .400 over this three year span. At 26 he’s a little older but what could it cost to bring someone with this type of record to camp for a look?
Of course, the easiest thing for the Mets to do would be to take a look at Matt Reynolds for the month of September playing SS every day, moving Wilmer Flores to 3B and shutting down David Wright to protect the team’s investment, but according to reports the team doesn’t want to start his arbitration clock ticking in 2014.
4 comments:
Reynolds won't come up because of 40 man roster issues - he will get to show off at the AFL I guess. I have heard mixed reviews of his defens; so not sure he could be a viable every day SS - not without adding power
I think the Mets would be foolish not to kick the tires on a trade for Reyes - even his numbers this year would be a huge upgrade over what we have, and the fan base would go estatic over it - besides, maybe coming back to NY would re-energize him for a year or two.
As for Flores, I hate to say it, but he is starting to look like his bat may be another for the over-hyped prospect list - he still has 7 weeks or so to show otherwise, but right now he is blowing his opportunity and ruining his trade value.
Lew -
I brought up the idea of Reyes earlier this month but I don't think anyone responded to it.
The Mets would have to change their policy on long term contracts and probably bump up David's a little to equal status, but I always thought that the 'current' Mets would have had both Reyes and Wright in the lineup for their entire career.
As for Flores, I too am disappointed in his lack of timely bat.
I applaud Reese for examining some under the radar talent. I have objected to some of his negative comments about current roster, but those are all fair if you are willing to provide some reasoable alternatives like he has above. Not sure if the mets can get them it if they will pan out, but they are worthwhile and constructive suggestions, not to mention, they take into account the existing reality of resources
The composition of the roster is the fault of Sandy Alderson (and by extension, the Wilpons) as the deficiencies were clear yet not addressed due to an unwillingness or inability to spend on real talent.
The way the roster is used is the fault of one Terry Collins. To catalog each ponderous decision made would rival the length of War & Peace. Suffice it to say that his current preferred lineup is a bit of too little, too late but I'm nonetheless glad to see it rather than more Young, Young, Abreu, Tejada and Nieuwenhuis.
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