The New York Mets are reportedly searching for a left-handed bat for their outfield. They have Lucas Duda (lefty), Jason Bay (righty), Andres Torres (switch) and Scott Hairston (righty) already in the fold. Rumors have pointed toward names like Rick Ankiel and Raul Ibanez.
While Ankiel has recently signed with the Washington Nationals and Ibanez, among others, is still available, the obvious answer to this void is already in their system. His name is Matt Den Dekker. Between Port St Lucie and Binghamton, he hit 17 home runs last season.
He drove in 68 RBI and had 24 stolen bases. It's apparent that he has not hit in AAA yet, but he has improved his game from level to level. He will start in AAA to begin this year and eventually earn a spot in Queens at some point this season. They are looking for a dirt cheap veteran.
With that comes an injury prone player that may possibly end up getting hurt early and being replaced by a minor league player eventually anyway. Why not just skip this step. The Mets need to trust their farm system now. Give them a chance.
Perhaps they can make due with what they have until the All-Star break and then change things up a bit and call up Den Dekker. He would then add a fresh energy and enthusiasm to the roster. This is a player that has all the tools to be a success in the majors. The Mets need to let him.
Why waste the money on a bat that will only be around for a year or be utilized for half of the games in the season when they can simply promote one of their own who may most likely be ready for the show.
It makes more sense to save the funds for someone down the road when they need one player to boost their roster into a possible playoff push.
Matt Den Dekker can be that role player off the bench and backing up the starters with spot starts and late inning defense. The Mets merely have to give him the opportunity.
3 comments:
Matt Den Dekker is the future CF for the Mets. He can make the team as a starter or start in the minors. In the meantime, if the Mets need a lefty bat, Adam Loewen is their man.
IMO...
It is very important to allow your prospects to play every day rather than sit on a bench. Matt is, at least, a year away, and he needs 2012 to work on cutting back n his strikeouts.
He also plans on concentrating on increasing his stolen base total. His goal is obvious... to lead off and play CF in Queens.
We will follow him closely this season as part of "The Flushing 14"
i agree with Mack. If the Mets see MDD in their future plans at all, he needs as many at bats as possible. He has promise but he still needs work. Bringing him up now will likely stunt his growth.
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