Reese Kaplan -- Spring Training Questions to Be Answered

With pitchers and catchers due to report next week there are a number of story lines that everyone is anxiously awaiting to see the outcomes.  Today we’ll not focus on the gaps in the lineup, bullpen or rotation, but instead look to individual players and what we might see from them:

• Juan Lagares – Is he fully recovered from the toe issue that kept him off the field for all but April of last year?  Has his revised swing rematerialized and will he be able to provide offense above that of a replacement player?
• Keon Broxton – Is he actually even more athletic and defensively skilled than Juan Lagares?  What can be done to cut down on his strikeouts?  Can shortening his swing help even at the expense of some home run power?  How fast is he compared to say, Amed Rosario?
• Michael Conforto – Is he 100% healthy this time around and ready to be a force in the middle of the order for the duration of the season?
• Jeff McNeil – Was last year’s .329 a fluke or reality?  How does he take to the outfield or is it another lip service effort like Jose Reyes of Springs past?  What happened to his power?
• Brandon Nimmo – As much as we liked what we saw in the maturation of Brandon Nimmo, he’s still somewhat vulnerable to left handed pitchers.  What has he done to address this deficiency?
• J.D. Davis – Did the Mets indeed find a diamond in the rough or is he another Eric Campbell who can hit in AAA but not take it to the next level?
• Peter Alonso – No one in New York has seen the man play yet unless they ventured to Las Vegas, Binghamton or other cities where he suited up on his ascent up the ladder.  I had the good fortune to see him here in El Paso over the course of a four-game series in which he was a defensive standout but he had a poor showing with the bat.  Despite what BVW says, there’s no way he’s coming north with the team, thus sacrificing a year of control AND having to clear a 40-man roster spot unless a surprising last minute trade of Todd Frazier happens. 
• Todd Frazier – Speaking of the man, two straight years of .213 hitting doesn’t exactly make you the must-see moment for people in Port St. Lucie.  One can only hope he starts off well which might entice another team into a late Spring/early season trade, otherwise you’re looking at an expensive bench piece once Alonso gets the call. 
• Dominic Smith – the new Gavin Cecchini, a high draft choice who has not done much with his limited opportunities, he’s likely destined to be a bad outfielder in AAA until Alonso gets promoted.  Then he can return to 1B and try to reestablish some value. 
• Robinson Cano – The man is a professional hitter who has Gold Gloves in his trophy case as well, but at his age and coming into a new league people are somewhat nervous to see how well his skills translate.
• Amed Rosario – Was September an illusion or has he evolved into the player we all thought he could be?  If so, then it’s possible some of the Mets’ deep shortstop pipeline also becomes trade bait in the future. 
• Jed Lowrie – Another elder statesman, how will he adjust to his presumed new position of 3B as well as a return to the NL where he hasn’t played much other than a few part-time stints with Houston separated by a few years. 
• Wilson Ramos – Is he healthy?
• Travis d’Arnaud – Same question with more skepticism and cynicism.  Is the acquisition of Ramos a motivating or demotivating factor?  Will he be here come opening day or is another backup catcher in the team’s future?
• T.J. Rivera – Has he returned from the witness protection program?  Is he able to throw a baseball?  Hit a baseball? 
• Edwin Diaz – Is he as good as advertised?
• Jason Vargas – Last year’s initial start was hampered by the broken bone which removed him from his normally stronger opening few months than his weaker closing few months.  He did pitch credibly in September so everyone wants to know is that what can be expected or are we in for another black April? 
• Jacob deGrom – Will they simply pay the man or will they drag out the impending free agency to foster ill-will with their current marquee draw?
• Zack Wheeler – Is he for real per the 2nd half of last year or will they deal him away mid-season if they're not contending or just let him walk away for nothing?

What are some of your outstanding questions coming into Spring Training?