Once again, this comes
from Reese Kaplan (as part of a 3-part question)
-
Which second baseman should the Mets play in 2018?
Michael Maar says –
Out of the in-house options for 2B, I really wanted to see TJ Rivera win the job but coming off of his “TJ”
surgery, that seems unlikely unless the position remains a mess until he’s
ready. The Mets can’t wait for him.
I do think it’s worth bringing Jose Reyes back as insurance
at multiple positions, including 2B. His
presence in 2018 would allow the Mets to do a little experimentation with Gavin Cecchini and Matt
Reynolds if they’re willing to leave the position unsettled, also buying
some time for Rivera to get healthy.
Going outside, the recent rumors about Jason Kipnis are intriguing. While he’s coming off a down year, he’d bring
some real grit and positive attitude to the team. Still only 30, I’d be willing to risk taking
on the remaining 2 yrs of his contract if the trade price isn’t too high.
Jack Flynn says -
Starlin Castro.
This will not sit well with some Mets fans, who will not like
the idea of picking up Yankee scrap wood to fill a hole. But Castro's contract
is financially cheaper than that of Jason Kipnis,
which we know all too well matters to the Mets, and will likely come at a
cheaper cost in terms of prospects. Cleveland actually has intentions of
competing in the American League next year; the Marlins have no such compulsion
and are far more motivated by salary relief.
This too will not sit well with some of the brethern, but if Chase Headley was available I would've preferred
acquiring him and moving Asdrubal Cabrera to
second base. I'm a sucker for switch hitters, and Headley's defense at third is
still good enough to benefit a team that, apparently through it's own
disinterest in spending, profiles as a "pitching team" in 2018.
Mack says –
I wouldn’t invest a lot of money into this position in 2018.
On my team, the defensive specialist, Luis Guillorme,
would take over and produce, along side of Amed Rosario,
Golden Glove-like up the middle defense in 2019.
I read that Michael Conforto said yesterday that he didn’t
believe the team had to add any more power bats to the equation. He could be
right, but only if the team ERA returns to the 3.50 level, or lower.
If that happens, more games will be won and even more can be
added to the win column if quality defense is displayed through the middle of
the field. Guillorme, Rosario, and Juan Lagares will give us that.
So, back to the original question?
Give it to Wilmer Flores. He
deserves a full shot before we pull the rug out from under him again.
Thomas Brennan says –
I'd go with Wilmer Flores at 2B and let his bat break loose
in 2018. I think Wilmer's bat is about
to go big time, and he needs to play a lot, shaky glove or not.
Michael Friere –
The
Second Base "problem" is the biggest issue on the roster, in my
opinion.
It requires someone who can
adequately play the position from a defensive standpoint and if it is filled
correctly, can also provide the lineup with a lead off type of hitter (which is
another problem area on the roster). Currently, here are the possibilities on
the current roster (and I use that term loosely); Asdrubal Cabrera,
Gavin Cecchini, Wilmer Flores, TJ Rivera, Matt Reynolds and Luis Guillorme.
Cabrera is likely going to play 3B, Cecchini is a huge
question mark, Flores is more of a utility type player (not a full time 2B
man), Rivera is coming back from TJ Surgery, Reynolds was a SS at one point,
but one could now argue whether he should even be on the roster and Guillorme
still needs more time in the minor leagues (but could be the future at the
position by 2020). So, basically there
isn't a current solution on the roster for 2018 and my short answer would be
"I don't know". Sandy NEEDS to
find a solution to this problem and I think it will come via a trade. Dee Gordon would
have been a perfect choice to fill the position in the field and at the top of
the lineup, but he is no longer available.
My vote would be to pursue Brian Dozier and
his 4.4 WAR from the Twins, who will be costly but would secure the position
and add a significant bat to the top of the lineup.
Reese Kaplan says –
Given
the paucity of minor league prospects, the dearth of dollars in the budget and
the confounding "wait for the market to develop" mentality of the GM,
2B is not a position where you can squander trade chips nor scarce
dollars. Many people (myself included)
have wondered aloud why Wilmer Flores was never given a chance to play one set position
every day for an entire season (or even a few weeks at a time).
Personally, I blame Mickey Callaway's
predecessor for that ponderous decision making. In 2018 see what you
have in his run-producing bat. They withstood Daniel
Murphy's defense due to his bat.
Pre-Washington Murphy was not the hitter that Flores is (.271/18/52 in just 336 ABs -- about half a
season's worth). He's cheap, on the
roster and if he doesn't get it done after 2 months or so, T.J. Rivera will be
back. This one plays into the GM's strength.
Do nothing!
6 comments:
Give me kipnis any day. A 2 to 3 year stop gap until Gimenez is ready would be great. Especially if they get 6 million including the buyout number back with him. He's more of a 2 hitter vs a leadoff guy, but rosario should move into the leadoff role sooner rather then later anyway.
Absolutely give Wilmer an extended shot at the 2B position. There is no reason why he couldn't duplicate Murphy's production offensively and (barely) better it defensively. Squandering monetary or personnel resources on acquiring a Kipinis, Castro, Nunez, Hernandez of Harrison (the only one I'd even consider) is not sound resource management.
Frazier? Maybe. FrazBruce? Fine. Cain? Better. Pitching? Priority.
Smith, Guillorme, Rosario, Gimenez death-to-ground-balls IF by 2020 (maybe even '19).
Wilmer just doesn't have the body type to be agile enough to be a quality defensive everyday 2B. I do like Wilmer starting out in a platoon with Dom smith at 1B, and maybe even winning the position fulltime. I think his bat could take off and play there, and I also think his glove plays there.
The best position for Wilmer is any that doesn't require a glove or agility.
I think they'll pick someone via FA or trade, but if not I think it's too soon to give up on Ceccini
Wilmer, hands down to start the season. And I’d have Guillorme on the team and playing 2B/SS 3 games per week and as late inning defensive replacement. Flores is capable of a .300/25/90 season. Hoping he does that here and not somewhere else.
I certainly hope some AL GMs agree with you, Adam. 😁
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