Longtime Mets beat writer Adam Rubin of ESPN tells us today that the Mets will be promoting outfielder Juan Lagares from Las Vegas in the very near term. Lagares is currently “tearing up the Pacific Coast League,” according to Rubin. Apparently, Lagares’s fine numbers have little to do with the PCL-is-a-hitter’s-league meme, since his form, technique, mechanics and makeup have been impressive in every league he’s played in. Putting him in the same outfield as Lucas Duda and Jordany Valdespin should generate the same kind of “Hey, look: they’re all homegrown!” conversation that was had last year about the infield. This comes on the heels of the DFAing of Aaron Laffey/promotion of Robert Carson to join Josh Edgin and veteran –ha! – Bobby Parnell, so the bullpen is taking on a systemic looks as well.

There can be no doubt now that this is Sandy Alderson’s team. Heading into spring training this year, it was trumpeted far and wide that the two most glaring areas of need – bordering on the dreaded “black holes” designation – were the outfield and the bullpen. Never a truer word… All offseason, Mets fans and MSM members moaned and groaned that Alderson was doing nothing to address these needs. Alderson himself admitted that he heard all the chirping, subtly masking it behind all the “What outfield?” jokes and making a passel of “minor” signings and trades, that brought the likes of Collin Cowgill, Brandon Lyon, Scott Rice, Marlon Byrd and LaTroy Hawkins. Let’s face it: when the “sexiest” acquisition of the offseason is John Buck, the grumbling looks justified. But as always, there’s a method behind the Aldersonian madness. All these guys are here until the fruits of the farm system can be harvested. Yes Buck and Lyon are off to surprisingly productive starts, but you and I know that the team would prefer to have an entire 25-man roster made up of homegrown, cost-controlled – especially cost-controlled, given the Wilpons’ famous financial follies — team-controlled players going forward. The way ballclubs are wrapping up their valuable properties in long-term deals, effectively short-circuiting arbitration and free-agency – almost a neo-Reserve Clause – you can hardly blame it. Free agency is starting to look more and more drab, with only the odd, aging superstar or Scott Boras client testing the market anymore. So it makes much more sense for the Mets to try and plug leaks by doing the Las Vegas shuffle. It’s now time for the big-city shakeout. It’s time to see if these kids can hack it in the Show. It’s time to see if all this farm-building is paying off.

For the Mets right now, it’s the only way to fly.

Follow me on Twitter @CharlieHangley

9 comments on “Robert Carson, Juan Lagares And Josh Edgin: Mets Are Slowly Addressing Needs From Within

  • Name

    Carson should only be up here for a week until the Mets need to activate Marcum from the DL.

    I’m not sure i would promote Lagares; i still think Q should be up while Tejada figures things out defensively and i think that 6 Outfielders is excessive.

    • Mike Koehler

      Can he replace any of the current outfielders?

    • metsilverman.com

      Josh Edgin might be the one to go back to Vegas, if Carson shows something this week.

      • Name

        It’s possible, but I would consider that quite a longshot.
        Most of Edgin’s troubles have come in Colorado. Take away those 2 appearances and you have 2 ER in 7IP.
        If Terry is going to stick with Ike in the 4-hole, i’m pretty sure he’ll choose Edgin over Carson.

        Carson also has never found the plate at the major league level, like Famalia.

  • Charlie Hangley

    Nieuwenhuis to be demoted. In other words, “Kirk out.” #geekjoke

  • Metsense

    Lagares for Kirk was a good move on two counts. First the Mets are playing against three lefty starters vs the Dodgers. Secondly players that produce should be promoted.Lagares has been producing, Kirk has been struggling.
    Good point about Edgin, Name, along with your other point about Carson and Familia not being able to find the plate at the big league level. Why oh why Warthan is this the case?

  • Dan Stack

    So can anyone tell me what Lagares’ ceiling is? Is he a bonafide MLB starting OF? Cant wait to see what he’s got.

    • Rob Rogan

      If I remember correctly, he had a great year in 2011 and a strong 2012. He’s not that high on many Mets prospect lists. I think he might be able to pull off being a starting CF, and might even be good, but he doesn’t really seem to profile well at the corners (though he supposedly has a strong arm). Not too sure at this point, but the Mets appear to be selling him as a starter right now.

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