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Centerfield 2013

Matt Den Dekker

0 votes

Juan Lagares

0 votes

Kirk Nieuwenhuis

5 votes

Andres Torres

1 votes

Jordany Valdespin

4 votes

Other

2 votes

Edgy MD Aug 01 2012 08:04 AM

Sorry to get ahead of the game on this question, it just strikes me that. while you kinda see where the Mets are going at several positions, the team has several options, all with upside and downside, for center, and the future there seems wide open.

MFS62 Aug 01 2012 08:07 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Valdespin seems the best bet to me. IMO, DenDekker is still a year away, Kirk may be better suited to a corner outfield spot, as is Lagares. I think (hope) Torres will be gone. Later

Edgy MD Aug 01 2012 08:10 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

I hope Torres will be awesome.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 01 2012 08:13 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Torn between Niuewy and other, I went with "other"

Ceetar Aug 01 2012 08:16 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Torres. he's sorta started to hit, plays good D, and is under team control. The Mets don't have much sure fire outfielders, so there is no way they're dumping a cheaper controllable player if he's producing anything. I expect Kirk to get plenty of time there as well, but the 'starter' will be Torres. I expect the Mets to acquire a power-hitting RFer as well and hopefully Duda shakes off his slump and is the LFer.

Edgy MD Aug 01 2012 08:17 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Torn between Niuewy and other, I went with "other" Any ideas?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 01 2012 08:36 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

I really don't. I don't think at this point there's a great reason to retain Torres (not reliable enough, getting older). Nieuwenhuis has obvious flaws in his game, so does den Dekker, it appears. Valdespin probably won't handle it defensively. As I said before I think maybe we see an all-new OF in 2013.

Edgy MD Aug 01 2012 08:51 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Some interesting FA options, with some chances to go big. [list:2u4ygwxq][*:2u4ygwxq]Marlon Boid[/*:m:2u4ygwxq] [*:2u4ygwxq]Michael Bourn[/*:m:2u4ygwxq] [*:2u4ygwxq]Curtis Granderson (Yanks have $15 million option)[/*:m:2u4ygwxq] [*:2u4ygwxq]Josh Hamilton[/*:m:2u4ygwxq] [*:2u4ygwxq]Torii Hunter (not playing center in recent years)[/*:m:2u4ygwxq] [*:2u4ygwxq]Angel Pagan[/*:m:2u4ygwxq] [*:2u4ygwxq]B.J. Upton[/*:m:2u4ygwxq] [*:2u4ygwxq]Shane Victorino [/*:m:2u4ygwxq][/list:u:2u4ygwxq] A lot of legs that have seen more mileage than Torres', also. If I'm shopping, I probably focus on Bourn as maybe the best value/$. I have a pretty baseless suspicion that the Mets would like Upton.

batmagadanleadoff Aug 01 2012 08:52 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: As I said before I think maybe we see an all-new OF in 2013. We could use a new bullpen, too. Catching's not so hot either. Center field is looking grim. All I know about this Den Dekker is that LWFS once called him the Ordonez of center field. I've never forgotten that. Like I said, CF is looking grim. Grimmer.

Ceetar Aug 01 2012 08:58 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

We could use more power as a team, particularly if Tejada and Thole are likely to stick (and they probably are) as welll as Murphy. CF typically isn't that, but Kirk does provide some if he can re-adjust to major league pitching.

Vic Sage Aug 01 2012 08:59 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Edgy DC wrote: Some interesting FA options, with some chances to go big. [list][*]Marlon Boid[/*:m] [*]Michael Bourn[/*:m] [*]Curtis Granderson (Yanks have $15 million option)[/*:m] [*]Josh Hamilton[/*:m] [*]Torii Hunter (not playing center in recent years)[/*:m] [*]Angel Pagan[/*:m] [*]B.J. Upton[/*:m] [*]Shane Victorino [/*:m][/list:u] A lot of legs that have seen more mileage than Torres', also. If I'm shopping, I probably focus on Bourn as maybe the best value/$. I have a pretty baseless suspicion that the Mets would like Upton. don't forget Scott Hairston. I hear he's invaluable.

batmagadanleadoff Aug 01 2012 09:01 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

batmagadanleadoff wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: As I said before I think maybe we see an all-new OF in 2013. We could use a new bullpen, too. Catching's not so hot either. Center field is looking grim. All I know about this Den Dekker is that LWFS once called him the Ordonez of center field. I've never forgotten that. Like I said, CF is looking grim. Grimmer. BTW, I ran some back of the envelope numbers for Lucas Duda, and came to the quick and dirty conclusion that his defense is so bad, Duda's gotta have a batting season like last year's Joey Votto or Jose Reyes for the Mets to get meaningful positive value from him. In other words, Duda's gotta hit like an MVP all season long to provide value that is way clear of neutral or break-even.

Edgy MD Aug 01 2012 09:12 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Certainly, any future for him would be better in left, still better at first, and best at designated hitter. He's strange and that strangeness really intrigues me. Maybe he's a psychological sponge, and on a team that's struggling, he becomes the biggest load, but on an an energetic team fighting like hell in the middle of a race, he becomes the biggest animal of them all. He just seems so damn uncomfortable in his skin.

Frayed Knot Aug 01 2012 09:26 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

I'm not sold on Valdespin being either a real CF or even an everyday player at this point.

Edgy MD Aug 01 2012 09:31 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

I don't blame you, but he's nonetheless an option before them. You know, what craziness made the Mets' brain-trust sit down at a table one morning and agree "You know who's our 1990 centerfielder? Keith F. Miller, that's who!"

metsmarathon Aug 01 2012 09:33 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

newey looks llike hte leader in the clubhouse, provided he gets back on track after some more AAA. i don't think torres will necessarily be back, and valdespin is only a centerfielder in the absence of a centerfielder.

Ceetar Aug 01 2012 09:37 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

metsmarathon wrote: newey looks llike hte leader in the clubhouse, provided he gets back on track after some more AAA. i don't think torres will necessarily be back, and valdespin is only a centerfielder in the absence of a centerfielder. Did you see Valdespin actually got to a THREE ball count last night?

MFS62 Aug 01 2012 09:44 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Edgy DC wrote: Some interesting FA options, with some chances to go big. [list][*]Marlon Boid[/*:m] [*]Michael Bourn[/*:m] [*]Curtis Granderson (Yanks have $15 million option)[/*:m] [*]Josh Hamilton[/*:m] [*]Torii Hunter (not playing center in recent years)[/*:m] [*]Angel Pagan[/*:m] [*]B.J. Upton[/*:m] [*]Shane Victorino [/*:m][/list:u] A lot of legs that have seen more mileage than Torres', also. If I'm shopping, I probably focus on Bourn as maybe the best value/$. I have a pretty baseless suspicion that the Mets would like Upton. Bourn makes a lot of sense to the eye test- speed, defense, a decent or better leadoff type hitter. The only thing is - he's yet another lefthanded batter. This lineup will need more balance at some point (OK, so Granderson or Hamiltion would be just fine). Later

Vic Sage Aug 01 2012 10:21 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Valdespin reminds me of a poor man's Alfonso Soriano -- a bit smaller, a few less HRs and SBs, similar lack of glove with an excess of athleticism and a questionable attitude. Ultimately, if his bat justifies it, he might get a shot as a LFer. I'm not sold on even that, yet. He might end up a utility guy or end up cutting cane back in the DR.

Ceetar Aug 01 2012 10:27 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Vic Sage wrote: Valdespin reminds me of a poor man's Alfonso Soriano -- a bit smaller, a few less HRs and SBs, similar lack of glove with an excess of athleticism and a questionable attitude. Ultimately, if his bat justifies it, he might get a shot as a LFer. I'm not sold on even that, yet. He might end up a utility guy or end up cutting cane back in the DR. The guy's going to have to stop swinging at wild pitches and pitches that almost hit him. Ultimately it may be a good comp, if he can have the coverage to hit the balls, which I guess he has shown some ability to do, but he's gotta be better at recognizing pitches, and it's not something he's done on any level.

Vic Sage Aug 01 2012 10:41 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

yeah, i don't really think Valdy has a shot at putting up the numbers soriano has (and i don't even like soriano). They just strike me as similar baseball types: athletic power-speed guys, hackers from the DR ("you cannot walk off de island"), who started out as erratic 2bmen that got moved to the OF.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 01 2012 10:45 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Valdy to me looks like a second baseman. I don't think you want to chance his production out there in left or right field, and he doesn't really look like a CF.

Edgy MD Aug 01 2012 11:01 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Maybe (and I do mean maybe) he's one of those athletic guys who just needs an intensive offseason of training to make him from a middle infielder to a confident and capable centerfielder turning his skills loose. Yount, Mantle, Murcer, um... some other guys. And maybe he's Keith Miiller. But it's not crazy that the right outfield tutor can make a man out of him. The outfield is still all new to him.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 01 2012 11:05 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Yes that's true. But if you're really looking to improve from a 3rd place team to a 2nd place team or better you want a center fielder about whom there are not so many questions.

Ceetar Aug 01 2012 11:45 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

I think he's athletic enough to play CF, with some reps and practice. I'm still scared of him on the infield after that disaster game where he was booting everything.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 01 2012 01:00 PM Re: Centerfield 2013

Having watched Den Dekker pretty closely for a couple of years now... he's flawed, and those flaws aren't going away. He's a plus-fourth-piece, methinks.

Frayed Knot Aug 01 2012 01:49 PM Re: Centerfield 2013

"Centerfield 2013" I just hope he posts more often than he is so far in 2012 By coincidence, John Sickels answers a write-in question today on what a full year might look like from Valdespin: -- "I have a hard time thinking his [current] production holds up with such a low walk rate, but you never know for sure. I could see him developing into a 15-20 [HR] guy, but with erratic BAs and OBPs."

Edgy MD Aug 01 2012 02:01 PM Re: Centerfield 2013

So, stick in him in the middle of the order, Terry C.!

TheOldMole Aug 02 2012 09:48 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Nieuwy. He works on his strikeout problem in winter ball, and returns a nieuw man.

themetfairy Aug 02 2012 10:02 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

TheOldMole wrote: Nieuwy. He works on his strikeout problem in winter ball, and returns a nieuw man. But hopefully not as Newman.

seawolf17 Aug 02 2012 10:38 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Josh Hamilton on a one-year, $8 million make-good deal so he can re-hit the FA market in 2013.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2012 11:31 AM Re: Centerfield 2013

Good luck on that.