A funny thing happened to me today. I realized that I had no idea who was expected to play right field for the New York Mets this season.
This may not seem that unusual to you. Right now, you may be thinking, “Hell, I couldn’t name 10 players on the Mets right now. Why does this guy think it’s a big deal to not know who’s going to be in right field?”
It was unusual to me, though. We are almost a month into Spring Training, and by now, I usually have a firm grasp on the expected starting lineups, the rotation battles, which relievers are fighting for the last two spots in the bullpen, and the three trades that the general manager needs to make so that the Mets can compete for a division title.
(This year, it looks like the Mets only need to acquire Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw and Craig Kimbrel to capture the National League East. I hope they don’t trade Noah Syndergaard in any of those deals!!)
I am one of those baseball writers who truly enjoys digging down into the minutiae of executive decision-making – lineup construction, starting rotation usage, minor-league roster development. It makes for lively conversation and friendly debate – perfect talk among of group of friends between pitches on a beautiful afternoon at the ballpark.
That’s why it seemed natural to look for inspiration by analyzing a projected starting lineup and looking for clues about what could be done differently. It all came crashing to a halt when, after projecting Curtis Granderson in left field and Chris Young in center field (where he has played almost exclusively for his entire career), I got stuck on the right field question.
Turns out – at least according to the depth chart on the team’s official website – Young is actually expected to be playing right field and Juan Lagares is projected to start in center. Inspiration struck – but as usual when thinking about the Mets – it only left me disappointed.
I don’t even want to bother projecting a lineup that is going to run out Ruben Tejada, Chris Young, a left-handed hitting first basemen with no trade value AND Juan Lagares. That’s already four spots where you can project solidly below-average offense in 2014. If Travis D’Arnaud has any adjustment issues or if a stiff breeze knocks him onto the disabled list for two months, the offense will be even uglier.
After five straight years finishing under .500, my Mets glass is no longer half-full. I can no longer delude myself into thinking that Lagares or Tejada are going to learn how to hit, or that Chris Young is going to remember how to do it again. I can’t do it – and you probably don’t even want to read about it.
I’ll keep looking for inspiration though, because I know that you still want to read about the Mets – positive, negative, whatever content someone can provide you. We’re going to have to find a way to get through this together. If we can’t find something to be excited about in March, what are we going to do in September!?
4 comments:
It's great to have you back, Jack
There is the pessimist's case for sure on offense - but Lagares could hit much better in his soph year - he had a terrible start last year, and faded in Sept, but in 250 at bats from June through Audgust, he hit .290. I see him hititng .280, not .240 again.
First base has to get better offense - last year was awful.
SS - the same - awful 2013 offense, especially when they pull off a likely upgrade deal by opening day.
Outfield - Byrd was a huge plus, but again, hard to see how it could not be better offensively this year. The OF the first few months last year was putrid offensively.
I go optimistic and see 50-100 more runs this year.
I am probably too pessimistic, especially considering I forgot all about Eric Young Jr. Wait - that only makes me more pessimistic!!
I do think first base will be better - I'm probably going to be the last guy banging the Ike Davis drum. Tejada is a wonderful backup middle infielder, but has no offensive talent other than his ability to take a walk. If Tejada, E. Young, den Dekker and Lagares were all backups, I'd be very impressed at the depth of the Mets' bench. Knowing that two and possibly three of hem will be starting gives me very little hope for a .500 season.
call Boras and sign up his two clients
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