This may not be the last time we see a headline along these lines. The Mets’ offseason started off strong with the acquisition of Michael Cuddyer, but now the offseason seems quiet. Trade rumors between the Mets and the Colorado Rockies may continue to start and stop along the way until Spring Training, but until a trade happens, Wilmer Flores seems to be the Opening Day starting shortstop.
The Venezuelan Winter League’s regular season finished, and Wilmer Flores’ bat was on display throughout the season. In 90 at-bats, Flores hit .322 with six homers and drove in 18 runs. His OBP was .365 and his slugging percentage was .556. Although these numbers were not coming against major league pitching, the offensive performance over 24 games is impressive, as he will provide more pop to the shortstop position.
Fans and followers of the Mets know that Flores has tremendous potential on the offensive side, however the defensive skill is frightening. During the regular season, Flores committed seven errors, which provides more worries for the Mets. With Daniel Murphy manning second base, and Flores at shortstop, the Mets’ middle infield does not feature strong defense.
The Mets may be able to get away with Flores playing shortstop, however the backup shortstop must be a great defensive player. Ruben Tejada may get more playing time than expected, as Flores can get two or three plate appearances throughout the game, and if the score is close towards the end of the game, Tejada can be a defensive replacement.
If Tejada is unable to provide enough defense, the Mets could go with in-house option Wilfredo Tovar. The benefit of using Tovar is that he does not cost much, and is known for his glove. If only there was someone to combine Flores’ bat with Tovar’s glove, the Mets would have one great shortstop in that case.
An expensive option, and also a highly unlikely one, is to sign Stephen Drew to a one-year contract. Coming off of a down year, it would make sense for Drew to sign a one-year deal with a club, in order to look for a bounce back year. Why would the Mets even think about this? Drew is a low-risk, high-reward type of guy. If Flores struggles offensively and defensively, Drew could start a couple of games. There is the chance that Drew would become last year’s Chris Young, but providing Flores with competition, and the Mets with insurance, signing Drew may be a wise decision.
The Drew option is highly unlikely, and Tovar will most likely start in the minor leagues. The most likely option is to use Tejada as a defensive replacement. Flores has shown that he has the ability to drive the baseball, and get on base. The main concern going forward is going to be the defense, and it is important that the Mets figure out a way to make his defensive shortcomings limited. Still only 23 years old, this is the year for Flores to show what he can do at the majors, and hopefully he displays and fulfills his potential, making the lineup deeper, and the defense stronger.
Totally concerned about Flores’ defense at SS, but I don’t think the Mets intend to go with Flores/Murph the whole season. The good news is he hit well while playing SS. Last year on the Mets Wilmer only started to hit well when he was moved to his more familiar 2B. I think Murph or Wilmer is likely gone by the deadline (if not sooner) with the other at 2B and the Mets either trading for or promoting (Reynolds??) their SS. Who ever remains is lot long for the position though because Herrera (barring injury) is the 2B by 2016. But that means we have two trade chips to restock the minors.
what were Flores’ defensive stats in Venezuela? I didn’t see any stats or commentary on his defensive struggles this winter?
Absolutely zero coverage lol. I didn’t even know he was playing winter ball this year. A quick google search results in 1 article regarding his play this year… written on November 30th when he had played just a few games.
He made 7 errors
From MMO: “Wilmer Flores: 90 AB, .322/.365/.556, 3 doubles, 6 home runs, 18 RBI, 3 stolen bases, He batted .370/.433/.593 with runners in scoring position. Flores committed 7 errors playing exclusively SS.”
Thanks Chris.
So, this is roughly 25 games or an average of an error every 3 to 4 games.
What I would love to see is how his defense at SS compared to the rest of the league this winter. That would at least somewhat level out any inconsistencies that were caused by field conditions.
Not too worried about this small sample. The fields in the Venezuelan league look like a cross between the BQE and the trench warfare pockmarks of WWI. The biggest question from Flores will be “what value does his bat bring to the table?”
Remember Hojo’s 30/30/30 season? (30 HR, 30 stolen bases, 30 errors). I am not quite sure Wilmer will approach any of these extremes, but even half of those HR’s and his defense will play at the position (especially to prevent it from becoming the offensive black hole in the lineup it was under Tejada and Q)
At this point, the Mets are going to go with Flores as their shortstop until at least mid-May. I don’t see why not. The kid has been a top prospect in their system seemingly since the days of Seaver and Koosman. And now finally, the organization is giving this humble kid a chance to prove himself at his original position.
For the Tulowitzki fans, there are only three times that he will come over; at the end of Spring Training, at the trade-deadline, and next offseason. The only way that any of those three options will actually happen is if A) Flores is struggling immensely with the bat & the glove B) Tulowitzki is demonstrating his MVP prowess and is completely healthy.
In the end, just let the kid prove himself for a month or two- then either praise him or criticize him. Every team needs a little faith before the season starts, and considering what other teams are going through, this isn’t exactly the biggest problem out there.
I think Flores will be fine. 270-15- 75 line will make us forget about his glove .
You do realize that 75 RBIs would have tied for the second-most RBIs of any SS in baseball last year, right? Hey, at least it’s not the 80 that you were predicting the first time you left a comment here.
People said Murph could never play second, and guess what he made the All Star team! everybody knows Flores can hit.
He made the all star game because of the “every team must have a player” rule. It’s not like he was voted in. Murph is pretty poor at 2B, and he’s there because of the lack of a replacement and he is a decent mlb hitter. Let’s not pretend he’s Fonzie.
In 1969 ex Met Chris Cannizzaro made the All Star team for the San Diego Padres.
There is no chance 50 errors and no range left or right and a substandard arm can be made up with the bat, unless it’s PED A-rod production.
I would really like to see the Mets make a move on Ben Zorbrist. He can play SS or he can play second. He gives the Mets much needed flexibility in the lineup and in the field. Plus from all accounts he is a real good clubhouse guy.
Completely agree. A deal shouldn’t be hard to work out.
I have this feeling that negotiations for Miller or Tulowitzki are going on as we speak. Alderson ‘ s offseason has been too quiet. The Mets are usually at least signing players to ML deals. Even Gee rumors have fallen by the wayside. That makes me think something is going on that the Mets and the other team are keeping quiet.
I just have this gut feeling that Flores won’t be the opening day SS and might not be on the team at all. It could be wishful thinking though…
I like Flores, I just think s Flores Murphy middle infield will be a disaster defensively and I think the Mets know that. If they do and they are serious about contending in 2015, then the plan can’t be to start Flores and wait to see what happens. That’s not what playoff organizations do.
We’ll know how serious this team is about contention if they stay quiet the next few months.
Scott,
Back in the early ’50s there was a tv show on the old Dumont Network (you could look it up–Ch. 5 in NYC) called Captain Video and his Video Rangers. In one memorable (in my mind) episode the evil Dr. Pauli has one of his aides look out from his hideout to see if Captain Video is out there. When told he isn’t around Dr. Pauli says “Good,” that means he is out there hiding.
I’m not making this up.
Your reasoning, that because things are quiet it means that a deal is coming, is similar to that old show. Maybe it’s quiet because some front offices have been on holiday time. Or, because there is no common ground for a deal.
I think that as others have said, the Mets are going to start with Flores and see how it goes. Personally, I believe that he would have to be the offensive reincarnation of Joe Cronin to make it work at SS.
Scott, I can’t say that I feel what you feel, but it’s very interesting that one team that has excess shortstops but needs multiple starters hasn’t done anything while a team that wants to get a SS and has excess starters has also been quiet. I’m thinking everyone is in a holding pattern over Profar because we all know Alderson covets him. Jon Daniels has made it known he wants to lower payroll, not blow it up by going after Shields or Scherzer.
Profar for Gee, Colon/Niese, Flores and a minor league arm (would rather give Yona because I think Molina would be too much, but…) would help the Rangers fix their team, have a third baseman for when Beltre leaves after next year and give them another arm coming up. Not bad all around, I think.
I can understand that the situation is that big bat/big glove SS’s are mostly unavailable…. that leaves us with Flores/Tejada—that doesn’t make it a situation that I “embrace”, but I guess I can accept it.
I don’t think the objective should be “let’s see how it works” or “it’s time to give the guy a chance”…… they blew it by restricting Flores AB’s last season. Wright was DL…Tejada struggled at the plate….and they were out of the race early. That should not add up to sitting young players.
Flores had 80 ab’s before July… He had 10 in July!!!!!!!! 10!!!!!
He had 85 ab’s in August with a .639 ops…. he had 96 for the balance of Sept and October—- with a .790 ops.
I like the kid…and it wouldn’t surprise me when he becomes a legit MLB Hitter. His “success” was largely late in the season. I believe some of it occured (in Basketball vernacular) in GarBahhjjjj Time.
There was no reason that this kid didn’t get ab’s throughout the season…and last year was ***Exactly!!*** the time to “give him a shot”….”see what he can do”.
They may settle into this—and hopefully be lucky with it. It prefer that they work and guess to solve SS….and provide Flores with a 350 ab’s roll as a utility infield bat. If he’s good, it’s a fabuloaus “problem”.
Hey…beyond Wilmer, this is an absolute condemnation of some of the odd steps that this front office and field manager have taken…a very distorted idea of how to develop and utilize players.
Hopefully, they have an intent to arrive in April with their best team…I don;t sense that yet.
I feel you Eraff. It’s why no one has any confidence in these people and they leave us scratching our heads, because from June on, Flores should have been at SS. Because Lagares shouldn’t have been benched without a chance, and because a MDD/Puello, Campbell, Mayberry plattoon would give us close to Granderson or Cuddyer. But, please don’t get me started.
Eraff, very well put. Honest and straight forward.
If this is a playoff team, then they should be beyond the “lets see how it works ” stage and Flores as the backup infielder strengthens this team.
I’ve seen Flores mentioned as a backup infielder a lot and that just doesn’t fit with the Mets for several reasons.
1. Tejada is also right handed and is an inferior offensive player.
2. Cuddyer, Mayberry and Campbell will all get 1B AB’s over Flores.
3. Murphy and Wright play everyday
The bottom line is, if Flores isn’t the everyday SS, he adds very little value to the roster. Tejada and Campbell are the utility infielders on this roster.
Flores is a boom or bust everyday middle infielder. He’s either going to hit enough everyday or he’s a AAAA player.