One of the things to look at with Spring Training stats is who’s getting playing time. The top five players with the most ABs so far for the Mets include three guys who were on the team last year. Another guy is top prospect Andres Gimenez. And the remaining player is Ryan Cordell. Who?
Back in early January, the Mets signed Cordell to a minor league deal. He’s been in the majors parts of the last two seasons with the White Sox. He’s nothing great offensively but he’s a pretty good defender capable of playing all three outfield positions. In an org not overflowing with defensive players able to hit their weight, Cordell is at least … interesting.
And as things stand right now, Cordell has a non-zero chance of making the Opening Day roster. A lot can happen in three weeks – Opening Day is March 26 – but if the season started today, Cordell would be the fourth outfielder.
Yoenis Cespedes has yet to appear in a game and J.D. Davis is doing drills one-handed as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Maybe both of those guys are ready by the 26th. Or maybe one will stay behind and a spot will be available.
Of course, even if a spot is available – it doesn’t automatically go to Cordell. Given Dominic Smith‘s ability to play LF, maybe the Mets take the opportunity to go with three catchers. For what it’s worth, Cordell has 21 ABs, Tomas Nido has 9 and Rene Rivera has 4.
Keep in mind the Mets are pretty sure what they have with Nido and Rivera and are still gathering info on Cordell. Perhaps a better comparison is that Cordell leads Jarrett Parker, another offseason outfield pickup, in ABs, 21-13.
Hopefully Cespedes and Davis are ready to go in time and this speculation is moot. But clearly Cordell’s on the Mets’ radar and we shouldn’t be surprised if he makes the majors at some point in 2020. Last year, Adeiny Hechavarria had the most Grapefruit League ABs of any non-roster player and he ended up with 151 PA with the Mets.
Hi Brian. Any thoughts on the Houston Astros cheating scandal? I thought Manfred’s punishment was too lenient and the team should of had their WS victory vacated. A one year suspension for an outrageous attempt at cheating for the manager and GM is ridiculous. Especially after Hinch chided the Yankees about their complaints. Banned for life would of been a clear signal that this type of behavior would not be tolerated.It would of sent a very clear message to players and management. Doesn’t matter how many Astros get HBP. this upcoming season.
Vacating victories is something done in collegiate sports not professional sports.
It’s my opinion that closing your eyes, sticking your fingers in your ears and going “Nah, nah, nah, nah” at an extremely annoying decibel level is not going to change the fact that the Astros won the World Series.
You can argue Manfred chose expedience in giving the players immunity. An unintended consequence of that is the story has lived on and people (and ballplayers) have expressed outrage over what went on that perhaps wouldn’t have happened with a stricter punishment.
All in all – I’m ok with how it’s played out.
For posterity, that is not true. After Lance Armstrong was found as a PED doper and cheater, all of the Tour de France victories were vacated, leaving no winner for the Tour in years 1999-2005. Not only was a single season vacated, 7 years straight were.
I would vacate the win. Stop Houston from raising a flag, and make them return the rings and money.
It’s a lot different to vacate a win in an individual sport versus a team sport
Didn’t Judge Landis banned 8 players from the Black Sox scandal? There was a precedent here. And yet here we have the evidence from the players themselves admitting to it! I know it’s not apples to apples but MLB must start to address “cheating”. I saw the twitter video with the players banging the garbage can in Houston. Didn’t the A’s sent a complaint to MLB that was totally ignored?
Cycling is not the least bit an individual sport. Nine riders make up a team in a race. Virtually no one could win a pro bike race alone.
I didn’t get a confirmation so I just added this so I can keep abreast.
My Astros Punishment would be to disallow them from Hanging Pennant and WS Banners for that year….forever
The beauty of that idea Eraff is the organizations WS rings would be a brutal reminder and an embarrassment to wear in public
Seems that vacating the title and players having to pay back their WS share would be appropriate. If Beltran got immunity as a player then he never should have been named which led to the end of his managerial career before it even started. When Verlanders name comes up for a HOF vote does he get passed over like Beltran will? Alex Cora was a coach and therefore part of the management that not only allowed but fostered the cheating. In the meantime back to trying to get the best 26 ready to play at the end of the month. Let’s go Mets.
I think the Astros should be rewarded with the Twitter video of the garbage can thumping on every road game this year. Their shallow apologies require it.
The *stros cheated. Their cheating had an effect on other opposing player’s careers. Those players can never be made whole again and those players should take legal action in the court. The cheating also had an effect the outcome to games. The commissioner didn’t effectively handle that aspect. He should have vacated the championship, fine the *stros players bonus money and redistribute the money to the other teams players that participating in the post season money pool. These players earned their money fair and square.
Ryan Cordell has been very good in Spring Training and if an outfield bench position opens up then he should get the first opportunity. He is athletic, not too old, can play all positions in the OF, has some pop and speed, and makes good decisions on the field.
Baseball Reference Important Update
If you’ve followed our baseball newsletter for a while, you’re probably familiar with our Play Index tools that we use to include interesting notes about relevant players throughout the year. We’re happy to announce that the Play Index will be free of charge to access through April 30! If you’ve never used the Play Index before, you’re now free to tinker with it to your heart’s content as we get ready for Opening Day.
The Play Index can search at the season level back to 1871, the first major league season, at the game level back to 1904 and at the play-by-play level back to 1918.