Defense is consistently overlooked when assessing how good a ball club is, especially when the team is known for their offense. Cinderella teams over the past few seasons have all had above-average defensive players contributing in the field. Including the 2014 Royals, 2013 Pirates, 2012 Athletics, and most notably the 2011 Rays. None of these teams were anywhere near the top five in scoring, but they all shared one common trait — excellent pitching backed by superb defense. In fact, all of these teams in the year prior share very close similarities to the 2014 Mets. What remains different about these four teams in comparison to the potential 2015 Mets is the quality of the defense. Let’s face it, this team does not have a quality defense and hasn’t really had one since 2010, but it would be fair to say that the 2014 Mets had a league average defense. However, what if the Mets just invested all their time and money in defense and pitching, disregarding offense. How mouthwatering would this be for pitching? The only rule is that the player must be on the current 40-man roster. Let’s take a look:
Catcher: Travis d’Arnaud
What a way to start off the list, huh? This is the guy that had serious defense issues last year after consistently being ranked among the top minor league defensive catchers. All signs point to d’Arnaud rebounding from the terrible season considering his minor league numbers and offseason elbow surgery. The main reason that d’Arnaud stands here in the lineup is that Anthony Recker is not exactly a major model of defensive potential.
First Base: Lucas Duda
Many people give Duda heat for not being an outfielder. However, Duda is actually quite talented at first base when given the opportunity. Of course, we remember him for not covering first base in a potential no-hitter against Atlanta, but Duda rejuvenated his defensive career in 2014 with countless sparkling plays. He had an impressive .994 fielding percentage last season in addition to turning the second most double plays at the position. Ever since Ike Davis forgot how to use a glove in 2012, Duda has actually taken the reigns as the best defensive first basemen on the roster.
Second base: Ruben Tejada
Hate him for his bat, that’s fine, but never deny his glove. Tejada was actually one of the more polished shortstops in the league last season, and if it weren’t for defensive God Andrelton Simmons he’d contend for a Gold Glove. With one of the highest range-factors in the National League, he turned in a career-best .8 dWAR. Tejada is heads and shoulders above Daniel Murphy at the position and is versatile at both middle-infield positions. He still remains ahead of Dilson Herrera in the depth chart because Tejada has demonstrated the ability to grind out an entire season– and he has a better arm.
Shortstop: Wilfredo Tovar
This is where the real defense comes in: Wilfredo Tovar. He is simply a human vacuum cleaner when it comes to his glove. With a strong and accurate arm he could win a Gold Glove. In the end, a double play combo of Tovar and Tejada would result in minimal ground ball singles and minimal hits. He should be able to play his way on to the Mets roster when Tejada gets too expensive, but for now he is wasted potential.
Third Base: David Wright
After becoming a Gold Glove winner in back-to-back seasons, Wright had trouble throwing the ball across the diamond which resulted in sub-par performances. After three rough seasons (2009-2011), Wright figured his game out and has actually been better than his Gold Glove seasons. Wright suffered through an uneventful and miserable offensive season in 2014, but his defense maintained top notch. Wright is still the best player on the team, so don’t sleep on his production.
Now for the Golden Outfield. This group played together twice last season and the Mets won both times.
Left Field: Kirk Nieuwenhuis
Back in 2012, Mets fans were enamored by the highlight reel catches that this young man was making. After countless call-ups and demotions, Nieuwenhuis has finally found a “permanent” spot on the 25-man roster. At this point, he just simply has looked better in left field rather than in right. At the end of the day, he will be making 99% of the catches that come his way.
Center Field: Juan Lagares
Does this even need to be explained? The only Met to win a Gold Glove over the past five years deserves to man his best position.
Right field: Matt den Dekker
The final piece of the defensive puzzle is yet another amazing defender. Capable of any outfield position den Dekker has shown the ability to cover a ton of ground and throw runners out. He would compliment the other two outfielders well and they would blossom into a formidable trio.
Now for the actual lineup:
RF den Dekker
SS Tovar
3B Wright
1B Duda
C d’Arnaud
LF Nieuwenhuis
CF Lagares
2B Tejada
This lineup resembles the Mariners from 2009-2013, very heavily reliant on pitching and defense, but a black hole in offense. True, this lineup would probably not make the playoffs, but it would have been a nice experiment last year. In the end, the Mets should focus on scoring more runs to complement their pitching and and attempt to be league average.
I enjoyed this post. While it’s just hypothetical fun, it does raise a point. The current front office does not value defense enough and that may prove to be this team’s achilles heel. 2 old guys in the outfield, 3 third baseman and a DH in the infield, and an average catcher at best. One gold glover in center does not make up for all those short comings. This team is going to let up a lot of unearned runs. Hopefully Collins plays it smart with defensive replacements when needed.
I’m not sure about the “unearned runs”, but I believe they’ll provide a good deal of “extra outs” in the form of Un-Made Plays….issues of range and ability– a lack of defensive playmaking ability.
They also don’t run well, and the baserunning itself is sloppy…yet to be seen whether they will address run creating situational hitting. I don;t think there’s enough power to play station to station 3 run HR ball.
Finally, a true leadoff hitter—even a pale imitation?…we’ll see. There are certainly MLB level players on the field and on the bench— there is hope.
I hope we get to see that outfield from time to time in 2015.
Julian, great post. A couple of disagreements:
1. Flores is a pretty decent second baseman by all accounts and Tejada isnt any better, so have to take the better bat.
2. I would switch Kirk and MDD as Kirk has a better arm.
Thus, I would bat Flores sixth, Lagares second and Tovar eighth.
I would not go into a season with that defensive lineup and expect to be above .500.
There are three holes in the defense in 2015, Murphy at second, Cuddyer in left (right?) and TdA behind the plate yet going into this season I expect them to be above .500. The two lineups are the difference between winning and losing baseball. The difference between winning and playoff baseball will be addressed when the defensive holes are filled with more capable all around players. The Mets are not there yet but Plawecki, Hererra and Nimmo may be the answer.
Hypothetical but thought provoking article Julian.
Who would the pitcher on the mound for this hypothetical all defense lineup?
Niese?
Doc
deGrom. He used to be a shortstop 😉