The bullpen is probably the strongest it’s been to start the year in a very long time, anchored by Jeurys Familia, A.J. Ramos, Jerry Blevins, and newcomer Anthony Swarzak, along with Robert Gsellman moving to the bullpen, even though he would probably be starting for most other major league clubs.
The problem is that the new philosophy of less strikeouts and more finding bats could be a problem. The team is not built that way…the defense is not superior by any means. The Mets best defender, Juan Lagares, is not even good enough offensively to be the team’s fourth outfielder. The only reason he IS the team’s fourth outfielder is because Michael Conforto isn’t breaking camp with the team as he continues his rehab in Florida.
Yoenis Cespedes is above average with a well above average arm. But that well above average arm is sore. Jay Bruce is not the best fielder in right and Brandon Nimmo is serviceable but not great in center.
The infield defense is nothing to get excited about right now. Amed Rosario could be great but he isn’t great yet. Adrian Gonzalez at first base used to be great…but he isn’t great anymore. I was really happy with bringing in Todd Frazier. But he is not great defensively. And Asdrubal Cabrera is not good defensively anywhere he plays but he has suddenly been anointed the team’s starting second baseman.
I would rather see Jose Reyes or Flores playing second base rather than Cabrera. Cabrera had a career year two years ago and for some reason people have fallen in love with him. I think he makes a good utility player to fill in at second, short, and third. But although Reyes is not the Reyes of 10 years ago, he still have energy and speed and athleticism, something that is very much lacking on this team. And Flores has shown that he is a really good major league hitter and, unlike most of his teammates, puts the bat on the ball and doesn’t strike out very much…a rarity. But for whatever reason, the guy who was dependable at shortstop in the 2015 World Series can’t be trusted at any position.
Behind the plate has become a platoon between Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki. I like Plawecki over d’Arnaud. d’Arnaud has not lived up to his potential and has not been able to stay healthy. But while d’Arnaud can be a power bat, his defense is subpar…his footwork behind the plate is not good. On the other hand, Plawecki is a real solid backstop who frames pitches well and has great technique. While he used to seem over-matched, he now seems comfortable at the plate and looks like he could be just as productive a hitter as d’Arnaud, if not better.
The fans complained as usual about the Wilpons unwillingness to spend money. But, of course, that was unfounded. It drives me crazy when people start in about the money issue because the fact is that when the Mets went on spending sprees in the past, it has backfired. Can you say Bobby Bonilla? Is he even off the payroll yet? Much like when the Mets brought Cespedes back, they brought back Bruce. The brought in a couple of good veteran pitchers. And they took a flyer on Gonzalez.
But it will all come down to the health of the team and, specifically, the health of the pitching staff. The Mets are loaded with starting pitching. But they were loaded with starting pitching a year ago and look what happened. Mets fans have to hope that this young staff evolves into what everyone predicted them to be rather than going the way of a staff that included Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher, and Paul Wilson of Generation K fame. It will be interesting to see if the Mets can tip that scale.
