By Mike Phillips | April 26, 2021 5:56 pm
There is no question that the potential universal DH would have been a great benefit for the New York Mets. Adding the DH would allow the Mets to maximize their defensive potential by improving three areas of their defense, shifting Brandon Nimmo to left field, Dominic Smith to first base, and Pete Alonso to the DH role most of the time. Since that rule won’t be changed until at least 2022, the Mets have to figure out how to get through this season balancing their needs on offense and defense.
Last week saw some glaring examples for the Mets, who are struggling to get their offense going outside of J.D. Davis. Since his return from the injured list, Davis is batting .423 with two doubles, two home runs, and six RBI’s, making him a valuable piece in a lineup where guys like Michael Conforto, Francisco Lindor and Smith are off to slow starts. The issue lies in the fact that Davis is a subpar defender, with multiple errors in Chicago costing the Mets dearly in starts by Taijuan Walker and David Peterson.
Outside of Jacob deGrom, the Mets’ starting staff is heavily reliant on infield defense, which makes it logical to consider starting Luis Guillorme or Jonathan Villar at third base more often. The problem there is that they aren’t nearly as dangerous with the bat as Davis, who can help carry the team for a couple of weeks if he is in a groove.
The outfield defense is also an issue, although this doesn’t fall exclusively on Nimmo, who has worked hard to improve defensively in center field. Smith has done his best to be a passable option in left field, but asking a natural first baseman to be more than an adequate outfielder is tough. The Mets are also getting good defensive effort at first base from Alonso, who has improved his fielding tremendously since his rookie year, but Smith still remains the superior defender at first base.
Lots of talented guys with some drawbacks. It will have to be an effort to get the right mix. Brooklyn Nets have the same problem and are mixing it very well.
ReplyDeleteAll of this is pretty silly at this point.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets have options. The players will reveal themselves.
Again: WE don't come up with the answers. The players provide them, they tell "us" who to play and why through their performances. Just observe.
In the meantime, my belief in April and May, is to give Dom Smith and JD Davis every opportunity to succeed. Get them on the field and in the lineup regularly. Why? Because they have the most upside, IMO.
That said, play Almora more in CF, move Nimmo to LF. No reason on earth Almora shouldn't play more often. Pete can rest; Dom can get some games at 1B. Conforto can sit. Guillorme needs opportunities to shine. And if Jeff can't contribute to a winning effort, then give Villar some games at 2B.
But go with the guys you like best, give them the bulk of the work, and see how it goes.
This isn't agony. This isn't some tremendous hard puzzle to figure out. Let them play. Watch what happens. Be open to what you see. And evaluate and make adjustments over time.
Not complicated.
Jimmy
Why would you sit your thtee best players in Alonso, Conforto and Mcneil. The replacements are not as good.
ReplyDelete