As the snow continues to pile up in New York, it is encouraging to know that baseball will be coming back in the nice Florida weather. The past couple of days has featured players coming to Port St. Lucie and stating how they are feeling, and what their goals are for the upcoming season. While most of the Mets roster is set for the upcoming season, there are some storylines to keep an eye on throughout Spring Training.
Curtis Granderson is Reunited with Kevin Long
The 2013-2014 offseason featured the Mets signing the slugging Curtis Granderson to a 4-year deal worth $60 million. In his first season with the Mets, Granderson provided some power, hitting 20 homers, but struggled to hit for average, as he hit .227.
While with the Yankees, there was a time period in the 2010 when Granderson was benched against left-handed pitchers, and Kevin Long revitalized his hitting approach and helped Granderson succeed throughout the second half of the season. During Spring Training, we will see if this reunion leads to a revitalized Granderson. Although it seems improbable that his average will be higher than .250, more power and a little better average will certainly be welcomed.
The Second Left-Handed Reliever Battle
As of now, Josh Edgin is the sole left-handed reliever in the bullpen. There are many other players to choose from, such as Sean Gilmartin, Duane Below and Scott Rice. The Mets will need a second reliever, and if the team intends to keep Gilmartin, he will have to make the club out of Spring Training since he was a Rule 5 draft pick. Even though there are some players to choose from, there could be a trade up Sandy Alderson’s sleeve during Spring Training.
Dillon Gee Rumors
It has not been an easy offseason for veteran pitchers on the Mets. Trade rumors were occurring throughout the past couple of months, but it seems that Dillon Gee is available for trade. If the Mets do trade Gee before the season starts, it would not be surprising to see the Mets acquire either a bench player, a left-handed reliever, or minor leaguers. If Gee does not get traded, it will be interesting to see whether or not he is in the starting rotation, and how he may adjust to a new role.
Prospects Leaving a Lasting Impact
We know that the Mets farm system is pretty good, and that there is talent to draw from in order to help. With Dilson Herrera, Steven Matz, Corey Mazzoni, Brandon Nimmo, Kevin Plawecki, Matt Reynolds, and Noah Syndergaard in camp, the team will have a nice chance at seeing the development of each player. Herrera had a taste of the big leagues last season, and did quite well during his time. Matz and Syndergaard are well-known pitching prospects, while Mazzoni has a chance to open some eyes. Nimmo seems to be on a face path to Queens, and will probably be ready in 2016. With Travis d’Arnaud as catcher, it will be interesting to see how the team handles Plawecki. This will be a great opportunity for Plawecki to showcase his tools throughout camp.
These are some of the prospects who are known, but there will be someone who comes out of nowhere and impresses the organization at Spring Training. Whether or not they make the roster remains to be seen, but the young Mets will be on display.
Fourth Outfielder Role
Juan Lagares has center field locked up. Curtis Granderson plays sufficient defense, so he will have a corner outfield spot. Michael Cuddyer provides a great bat, but will probably need a defensive replacement towards the end of the game. Due to the fact that Kirk Nieuwenhuis is out of options, it seems that he will get the first chance of being the fourth outfielder. However, if Matt den Dekker performs at a high level throughout Spring Training, he will be next in line for a promotion.
Matt Harvey Returning From Tommy John Surgery
The moment we have been waiting for, the return of Matt Harvey. Reports have come out that Harvey felt well after throwing his first bullpen session. Once he begins to face live hitters, we will have an idea of how the season is going to go. The Dark Knight has a lot of expectations placed upon him, and this Spring Training will be when the Mets see how Harvey is health wise once he begins throwing.
Baseball is almost back, but this Spring Training is important for the Mets. If they want to compete, they need to eliminate question marks surrounding the team as soon as possible. Now is the time to put the best team on the field possible, and hopefully the Mets have success in Port St. Lucie that will follow them to Queens.
How can Cesar Puello’s name not be in this article? It is going to be a healthy debate as to what to do with him, and it’s missing? Did you forget him?
Puello is probably not going to be with the Mets too much longer. He was having a good year in 2013, then got suspended for 50 games and just did not play the same when he came back last year. Even if he does, he probably won’t be starting. Nimmo is going to be somewhere in the Vegas outfield and so will den Dekker with Nieuwenhuis getting the first shot at the New York bench. Puello may have a spot, but the Mets might not want him.
I too wondered about Puello.
The Mets are a better team if den Dekker is the 4th OF with Mayberry as 5th. Since Cuddyer can play 1B (and even in a pinch, 3B) and the other corner IF could be covered occasionally by Murph or Flores (with Tejada playing), the 25th slot would be between Kirk, Campbell & Puello.
Campbell & den D have an option left, buI think Matt sticks. So who is less likely to slip through waivers, Kirk or Puello? That’s the 25th man.
Editor’s Note – Please do not capitalize words in your post, as that is a violation of our Comment Policy
Puello is behind Lagares, Granderson, Cuddyer, den Dekker, Nieuwenhuis, Mayberry and possibly even Campbell on the OF depth chart. He would have to bring a break out performance this spring to be considered a realistic option in 2015. He is most likely not the impact player that the Mets need.
I don’t see Puello having a future with this team. Form what I’ve heard, he seems like a “nicer” version of Jordanny Valdespin…
I agree, Puello is old dead news. Never gonna see the bigs at least not as a Met. He needs to really have quite a season just to have any trade value.
What the hell is up with more Met farm hands turning up positive for doping?