Q& A - Which second baseman should the Mets play in 2018?

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!