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The 2018 Mets Outfield

Benjamin Grimm Feb 14 2018 12:47 AM

Here's this from Mike Puma today: With the Mets expected to carry only four outfielders, Wilmer Flores and Reyes will both take reps in the outfield this spring. Flores has never played the outfield. Reyes has two career appearances — one inning in center field and 5 1/3 innings in left field. Both came last season. Only four outfielders? I guess that means until Conforto returns?

Edgy MD Feb 14 2018 12:54 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

That's what they've had all winter, man. They started the offseason with three once they removed Taijeron from the 40. They're playing fast and loose. If Reyes actually gets it down this year (they avoided using him there last year, and when they finally did, he was terrible), they will need him. If he doesn't, they may get caught with their pants down once or twice.

Zvon Feb 14 2018 01:46 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Edgy MD wrote: That's what they've had all winter, man. They started the offseason with three once they removed Taijeron from the 40. They're playing fast and loose. If Reyes actually gets it down this year (they avoided using him there last year, and when they finally did, he was terrible), they will need him. If he doesn't, they may get caught with their pants down once or twice. How bad was Reyes? I expected Reyes to have no problem but I figured Flores would be tripping over his own feet out there.

Edgy MD Feb 14 2018 03:01 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

He played center for an inning or two in a game in mid-May, but didn't get any chances. Then he didn't appear out there again until a stint in left in late August. First ball hit in his direction was a liner over his head, and he charged in, and it went for multiple bases. It was clear he hadn't worked out in the outfield since the Spring, and Terry got him out of there an inning or two later before he embarrassed himself further and that was it for the outfield. What was also interesting about Reyes' season was the way it divided neatly into thirds. When the season opened, it having become clear that Wright wouldn't be returning any time soon, he was the regular-ish third baseman. in the middle, with Asdrubal Cabrera hurt, Reyes became the regular-ish shortstop. And in the last third of the season, with Amed Rosario called up, Reyes beame the regular-ish second baseman. It divided almost perfectly, with him switching initially as May turned to June, and again as July turned to August.

Ceetar Feb 14 2018 03:03 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

come my birthday (3/25) they may have injuries and/or 60day DL assignments where they can grab a den dekker type who they can disposably add to the roster as needed and then release for Conforto. So we'll see I guess.

Edgy MD Feb 14 2018 03:10 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

It was the end of Spring (3/30) when the Nats grabbed a den Dekker-type back in 2015. They sent the Mets a Jerry Blevins-type for him. That worked out pretty well.

d'Kong76 Feb 14 2018 04:18 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Edgy MD wrote: He played center for an inning or two in a game in mid-May, but didn't get any chances. Then he didn't appear out there again until a stint in left in late August. First ball hit in his direction was a liner over his head, and he charged in, and it went for multiple bases. How do you recall things like this? It's Edgyfing!

Zvon Feb 14 2018 05:53 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

d'Kong76 wrote: He played center for an inning or two in a game in mid-May, but didn't get any chances. Then he didn't appear out there again until a stint in left in late August. First ball hit in his direction was a liner over his head, and he charged in, and it went for multiple bases. How do you recall things like this? It's Edgyfing! I'm very glad he does. :) Thanks Edge. The liners (or even fly balls) right in line with where the outfielder is positioned are the hardest ones to judge quickly and correctly. I'd a let him slide for that. But I also would have been out on the field the next day before the game hitting liners and fly balls right at him. Reyes can be a real super utility guy if he can man the OF too. All he needs is the proper time to adjust. This spring he should spend a good chunk of time practicing in the OF if Callaway is wise. Going from the outfield to the infield (at least for me as a teen player) is a lot easier than going from the infield to the outfield. Mainly because of those damn hot shots hit right at you. I don't see Flores being able to pull it off. I do see Reyes being able to handle it.

Edgy MD Feb 14 2018 12:48 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Guys playing outside their usual assignments always makes a game fun and interesting and memorable, with the potential for unexpected heroism or expected disaster riding on every pitch. Reyes in center, Carter at third, d'Arnaud at second, old Rusty in the outfield, Hundley in the outfield. Emergency catchers! Fat guys batting leadoff! Relief pitchers at the plate! Defensive tackles running with the football! Seven and a half foot centers chucking up a three! Soccer goalltenders taking a turn in a penalty kick shootout! Likely disaster, but possible heroism! Brace yourself for fun!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 14 2018 02:36 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Feb 14 2018 02:51 PM

In all fairness, fat guys doing anything on a ballfield is generally a recipe for fun. On the other hand, d'Arnaud doing anything other than squatting or trotting makes LWFS [d'Arnaud face] I mean, there are plenty of guys out there who would slot in nicely as outfield depth/bench weapons/platoony options while Confy is out... and-- presuming they do okay-- trade bait once he returns. Dyson, Jay, Jaso, Rasmus... if we aren't going to pass along the Frazier savings to SP acquisition, why make do with den Dekkers as our bench stalwarts?

Edgy MD Feb 14 2018 02:44 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

I'm telling you, a 16-player roster would have made for a far better game. Even expanding now from 25 to 26 players would hurt the game dramatically.

MFS62 Feb 14 2018 02:47 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Edgy MD wrote: Guys playing outside their usual assignments always makes a game fun and interesting and memorable, with the potential for unexpected heroism or expected disaster riding on every pitch. Reyes in center, Carter at third, d'Arnaud at second, old Rusty in the outfield, Hundley in the outfield. Emergency catchers! Fat guys batting leadoff! Relief pitchers at the plate! Defensive tackles running with the football! Seven and a half foot centers chucking up a three! Soccer goalltenders taking a turn in a penalty kick shootout! Likely disaster, but possible heroism! Brace yourself for fun! That's why you put the player with the strongest arm out there. When he misjudges a fly ball, at least he can hold the batter to a double. (I first heard that said about Oscar Gamble. RIP, Oscar.) Later

Zvon Feb 15 2018 02:32 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Edgy MD wrote: Guys playing outside their usual assignments always makes a game fun and interesting and memorable, with the potential for unexpected heroism or expected disaster riding on every pitch. Reyes in center, Carter at third, d'Arnaud at second, old Rusty in the outfield, Hundley in the outfield. Emergency catchers! Fat guys batting leadoff! Relief pitchers at the plate! Defensive tackles running with the football! Seven and a half foot centers chucking up a three! Soccer goalltenders taking a turn in a penalty kick shootout! Likely disaster, but possible heroism! Brace yourself for fun! Duda in left should top that list. I miss The Dude.

Edgy MD Feb 15 2018 03:53 AM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I mean, there are plenty of guys out there who would slot in nicely as outfield depth/bench weapons/platoony options while Confy is out... and-- presuming they do okay-- trade bait once he returns. Dyson, Jay, Jaso, Rasmus... if we aren't going to pass along the Frazier savings to SP acquisition, why make do with den Dekkers as our bench stalwarts? You got all up in me arse when I nominated Jon Jay. I'm glad to see you've come around.

Lefty Specialist Feb 15 2018 02:00 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

We're really talking about a fifth outfielder here, as Bruce will be in right, Cespy in left, and Nimmo/Lagares in center. So knowing that Conforto will be back at some point there's no need to pick up someone for any kind of money who'd get one start a week at most for only part of the season. Lagares and Nimmo have played all three outfield spots, so no issue there. Agreed they need a body, but nothing above a den Dekker type. Please do not put Flores in the outfield. The mind boggles. Reyes, he's athletic enough to fake it for a short period if necessary, and he has no defined position at present.

bmfc1 Feb 15 2018 02:01 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

[tweet:tpvu2ken]https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/964136514895728642[/tweet:tpvu2ken] The Mets are back to a three small "d" team.

Edgy MD Feb 15 2018 02:34 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

That's awesome. And they don't have to deal off Jerry Blevins to get him back. WE WON THAT TRADE YOU SAVAGE NATIONALS! Pretty sad news for Patrick Biondi and Champ Stuart, both of whom are fine centerfielders but are struggling to hit their way out of AA.

Lefty Specialist Feb 15 2018 02:42 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Perfect depth signing. Stash him in AAA until you need him, and hopefully you don't need him.

RealityChuck Feb 15 2018 03:12 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

bmfc1 wrote: [tweet]https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/964136514895728642[/tweet] The Mets are back to a three small "d" team. Typical frugality: they had paid someone to make a small "d" for the uniforms, and wanted to get the most out of it.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 20 2018 04:52 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Wilmer is starting his outfield training. The Mets are experimenting with Wilmer Flores Mike Puma wrote: Flores, according to manager Mickey Callaway, will begin taking fly balls in the next day or two from outfield coach Ruben Amaro Jr. “I learned how to play first base to be in the lineup,” Flores said Monday. “If I have to learn how to be in the outfield to get at least one more game, I will do it.” Callaway also intends to have Jose Reyes take fly balls during camp. Last season Reyes played two games in the outfield.

Lefty Specialist Feb 20 2018 06:41 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Wilmer in the outfield has 'car crash' written all over it. He's a gamer, he'll give it a go, but jeez.

Vic Sage Feb 20 2018 06:49 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

i like Flores' chances in the OF. No, he's not going to get to much, but he doesn't get to much in the IF either. I think he could grow into a Lou Piniella-type that catches whatever he gets to and throws the ball in quickly and accurately to the right base, while giving us an xtra bat against LHPs. He could give Cespedes or Bruce a rest once in a while, or at least be usable out there in a double-switch. I have more faith in him than Reyes, frankly, in that Jose shows very poor defensive instincts (as indicated by how poor his defense became once he lost a step.)

Benjamin Grimm Feb 20 2018 06:56 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

It's worth a shot, anyway. If he's below average, he's only out there in emergency situations. If he can be somewhat better than that, it makes the roster more versatile and it gets Wilmer's bet in the lineup more often. Might as well take advantage of spring training to see how viable an option this is.

Frayed Knot Feb 20 2018 07:59 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Bobby V used to talk about being "three deep" at each position. Not that you have three different guys for each but that you have enough overlap that you know going in who the backup is and also the backup's backup if it should come to that. So as long as they're working out Wilmer with the idea that he'd be a '3' for either Right or Left field (I can't imagine him sniffing CF) and not a '1' or '2', there's no harm in trying. Wilmer, in fact, might be the '3' guy at 1B (behind Smith & Gonzalez), at 2B (Cabrera/Reyes), at 3B (Frazier/TJ), and in both corner OF spots (Cespedes/Nimmo & Bruce/Nimmo). I was going to say SS but he's gotta be at least the 4th choice there now (Rosario/Reyes/Cabrera] and maybe 5th also behind TJ Now all he has to do is quit that nasty habit of his where he gets injured immediately after playing time opens up because after the guy in front of him is injured also.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 20 2018 09:22 PM Re: The 2018 Mets Outfield

Conforto says he's aiming to return by May 1. That's the date that I've been storing in my head, but who knows?