Zach Lutz – A right-handed bat with power… go figure! Who would have thought the Mets had one? Well, there’s a caveat: Lutz doesn’t play in the outfield and probably can’t. Because of this, all Lutz can really do is pinch hit and take some starts from Ike Davis. His: .298/.406/.497 triple slash and his .903 OPS in AAA both speak to him being a useful bat… but the Mets lack for options where to fit him in. HECK, if the Mets could have fit him into the lineup he’d be in Queens today!
Josh Satin – If only our righty bats could run fast enough to play in the corner outfield spots… Satin is a solid bench bat who could have a sustained career as an MLB pinch hitter. Is he a better hitter than Justin Turner? No, probably not, but he IS under team control for longer. Satin’s ability to play 2nd gives him a little more use and if push came to shove the Mets COULD move Satin into left or right… but I don’t think the results would be pretty. His: .295/.397/.466 triple slash and .863 OPS are testaments to his ability. His .499 OPS in his 15 MLB games should give you reasons to worry.
Fred Lewis – For what it’s worth… I’m a little shocked that Lewis has not been given a shot to take over an outfield job this season. He’s played really well for Buffalo and I have to think he’d be a better option than Bay in left field. His: .291/.374/.476 triple slash is solid and he’s got nothing to prove in the minors. He should be up. Why isn’t he up? Are we really that worried about too many lefties?
Jeruys Familia – Letting Familia toss a couple frames of relief? Sure! He’s logged a good number of innings in AAA and he’s starting to come around, but if the Mets think his future might be in the bullpen I don’t think it hurts to give him a quick audition in September. His last start was his best of the year: 7.0 IP, 4 Hits, 0 Runs, 1 Walk and 8 Strikeouts.
Jenrry Mejia – That said… DO NOT DO THIS WITH MEJIA!!! Let Mejia end the AAA season and begin to work for a Spring Training shot at the big-league rotation (though probably the AAA rotation is more likely). The Mets simply need to stop switching Mejia back and forth.
Robert Carson – Carson has likely done enough to earn himself a 2013 audition for the Met bullpen. The lefty throws hard and could join Josh Edgin to allow the Mets the rare luxury of TWO lefty RPs (who aren’t closers). I don’t think Carson is in the same league as Edgin but he seems far more capable of dominance against lefties leading me to whisper the word LOOGY.
C.J. Nitkowski – When I was a senior in highschool, Nitkowski was 29 and one of my teachers was a friend of his. That’s largely the reason his name resonates at all with me. Now… nearing his 40s, Nitkowski is a lefty who the Mets can bring up and use however they like. He isn’t likely to be much of an impact.
Eric Campbell – The right-handed Daniel Murphy is currently in AA but with few righty options for the outfield… he might serve. Campbell plays LF, RF, 3B and 1B and I recall him even spending some innings in center. He’s got a little power but he’s really just a consistent slap hitter who could turn into a reliable bench bat. No reason I can see to not give him a look in September.
Juan Lagares – Not Matt Den Dekker? Not Adam Loewen? Not Kirk Nieuwenhuis (assuming he’s healthy)? (Lucas Duda doesn’t really count on this list, he should be up shortly regardless) Lagares hasn’t blown people away in AA and I don’t think he’ll suddenly turn on the jets in 2013 and blow people away in AAA but he is a right-handed bat and he could be a useful piece in the Met outfield.
Armando Rodriguez – He’s on the 40-man roster so I assume he’ll be up in September. The Mets should decide what his future is because they have been holding 40-man space up with a guy who on paper looks pretty ordinary. If he can pitch well enough to earn an audition for the 2013 bullpen… I’ll be pleased.
Beato was dealt to the Red Sox for Shoppach. I say good bye, and good riddance.
Editing issue – the Beato reference has been removed. Thanks Chris!
No worries…Im just glad there wasnt a clone!
I’m ambivilant about a Lutz callup because I’d like to see if Ike Davis is still a viable option for 2013. Can Lutz play third if Wright is not re-signed?
David Wright is going to be here in 2013 (at least until the trade deadline) whether they sign him or not.Lutz is an often hurt,mid grade prospect who is 27 years old.
Watching the Mets hit has become extremely painful.Wright flailing at pitches.Thole flailing at pitches(a guy who was very much a contact guy).
Between Ike Davis,Wright,Kirk earlier,the Mets must lead the leagure in ugly flailing hacks.
Shoppach should play every day for the rest of the season.
Dave, Where are you from?
Your comment on Nitkowski hits home (literally). Nitkowski is from the same county as mine (Rockland) and they have produced players such as John Flaherty( I’m actually pretty good friends with his brother), Walt Weiss, and now the Astros new coach DeFrancesca (however you spell his name).
Hey Dan, small world! Both of my boys received instruction from Tony DeFrancesco at RCC, and my younger son played with and against Walt Weiss’ nephew in Babe Ruth and h.s.
Awesome! So I take it your from the area or surround area NormE?
We lived in Rockland for over 30 years.
Forgot to mention that Benny DiStefano, now coaching for the Mets in Pt. St. Lucie, was part of the same baseball coaching crew during the winters at the RCC fieldhouse. Benny and Tony Di worked for Lew Monaco Sr. who ran the batting cages in Tallman on Rte. 59. Were you around then, Dan?
I’m from North Jersey. I just remember having the teacher talk about his buddy C.J. from college.
or maybe high school.
I’m confused. Don’t you have to be on the 40 man roster to get called up in September? Satin, Lewis, Nitkowski, Campbell, A Rodriquez, Loewen and MDD are not on the current 40 man roster. That basically leaves Lutz, Duda,Kirk, Mejia, and Carson available. Lagares and Familia are available but probably not going to be recalled. Nitkowski would have to be added (why? and who cares) at the expense of Nickeas.
Lutz has had consistent numbers the last 3 years and I’d like to see how he does. I also like the idea of Mejia getting a start or two and Carson getting his feet a little wetter. Duda and Kirk of course. If I were to add anyone to the roster it would be Satin, the RH version of a poor man’s Murphy.
Honestly don’t know why Lutz wasn’t called up earlier, or traded. The least they could have done was platoon him with Davis especially when Davis was struggling mightily (Davis has a 808 OPS on the season against righties and just 552 against lefties). Clearly they believe Davis has a brighter future, but if that’s the case, trade Lutz to the Astros or somebody for bullpen arms.
I could be wrong but Lutz might have been hurt at the time it would have made sense. Instead Vinny Rottino spent some time platooning with Davis.
David – what? Last time I checked, Lutz wasn’t hurt the whole season was he?