Terry Collins is now the oldest manager in the major leagues. He’s played his part of the development of the young players in the organization from his years as the minor league coordinator to the past three years as the Mets’ skipper. The majority of the players on the prospective 25 man opening day roster are familiar faces he has overseen early in their careers. So as Mets fans look for a bump up in the win total this season, Collins should be monitoring the progress with a keen eye, because for two Mets players, it’s indeed “gut check” time.
Ike Davis may have less time to prove himself than anyone else on the roster. Despite the high ceiling most in the organization and fans feel he has, a slow start this year will most likely signal the end to his Mets career, at least on the major league level. He is already off to a gimpy start this spring due to nagging injuries which have kept him out of games thus setting him back. Davis has said he’s re-adjusted his swing and approach with the hopes of being more consistent, but he shouldn’t expect Collins to be as patient as he has been the past two years after slow starts. Of course, GM Sandy Alderson will also have his say on how Davis’ future will unfold, but he might only have these next four weeks to show it or Lucas Duda will have the first base job to start the season. Davis’ early season woes have been so dreadful to the watch, Alderson and Collins should be able to spot the bad tendencies right away. Almost like the first symptom of food poisoning, those down streaks are something no one ever wants to be part of again.
Duda doesn’t exactly have a cushy road ahead this spring; it’s make or break time for him too. He has to show consistency this year if he’s going to have a future with this team. He’s off to a good start since he showed up at camp slimmer, conditioned, and probably with more leeway than Davis within the organization. Duda has nothing more to prove at the minor league level, and if by some occurrence, both big first basemen hit, at least higher trade values will be established if nothing else. If Duda does win the first base job, he’ll have to produce in April or a shuffle of the lineup could be imminent. Now 28, it’s time for the sensitive Duda to get a thick skin and slug his way on to the starting lineup card March 31st, because if he doesn’t, his days on this team may be numbered too.
The schedule makers were not kind to the Mets, at least for their first 25 games. They start off playing the Nationals, Reds, Braves, Angels, Diamondbacks, and Cardinals: strong teams that should be in contention for a playoff spot this year. All six teams have solid starting pitching, so the lineup will get an early litmus test, so to speak. Davis and Duda need to get out any early kinks, because the 64 old year manager will not let either sabotage his hopes of winning games early in the season. He’s already let that happen as a small sacrifice in their development, but now enough is enough. The mindset will be all about winning games this year, and Collins should be staying on top of the first base conundrum until the answer emerges…if it ever does.
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Shortstop and first base, how are they working out Mr. Alderson?
Not mentioned, but I think clearly impacting the short leash:
Multitude of options to play 1B other than Dudavis, and in particular how that will allow the Mets to start using either Flores or EYJ … with the possibility of shifting Murphy over.
For that matter, simply letting the unibrow takeover.
I agree. I just don’t think they are considering those as a “serious” options yet until they lose complete faith in both players. I would hope the unibrow would play against lefties regardless.
Simple solution. Flores to 1B and you end up with a 280/300 avg, better OBP than both of the dud boys and 20 or so hrs which are better than what Murphy would provide if he is moved to 1B.
I have to think Flores at first is a desperation move. His bat isn’t that good, Satin has probably a higher spot on the pecking order and both heads of the Ike/Duda monster would have to be traded/dumped.
Those are very lofty numbers for an unproven player to live up to, especially when he’s never played the position.
Never underestimate Terry’s stupidity. Never. Despite what is being said, I don’t buy the competition. He loves his underperforming vets, probably to make him feel less old. I think TC has already penciled Davis as his 1b in his mind, and barring a trade before or during the season, he’ll play him there at least 75% of the time.
So if Jordany Valdespin can move Murphy back to first base then why can’t a real prospect like Flores do the same? It is hard to understand TC and I wouldn’t put it by him to do that.
Duda or Davis better step up or else on banner day there might be a plethora of banners similar to “is Kid Kranepool over the hill ?”