The Mets made more waves this off-season in acquiring slugging 1B Carlos Delgado and fireballing lefty closer Billy Wagner. Both moves are improvements over their last season counterparts. The team also traded for Paul LoDuca and traded away Mike Cameron.
Given those moves, only the RF job offers questions going into 2006. 2B is questionably manned but that is no different than the situation last season. Right now, Victor Diaz and Xavier Nady are at the top of the depth chart. Normally, one could discern and easy favorite by identifying the lefty-hitting side of the platoon. Unfortunately, both players bat from the right side.
The next level down would be defensive prowess. Neither really dazzles with the glove so the determination is still unknown.
With those easy determinants indeterminate, I will go with Victor Diaz because he is the better hitter. Also in his favor is Nady will get some starts at 1B against very tough left-handers. Given Nady’s “greater” defensive flexibility, he will more easily fall into the role of right-handed pinch-hitter/double switcher.
On the mound, the Mets do not have any questions, and with Wagner in the bullpen, there aren’t any unanswered questions either. The only issue is who would close if Wagner were to get hurt.
Aaron Heilman successfully closed at the end of last season and would have to be the favorite to do so as long as he is a member of the bullpen. Duaner Sanchez finished-up in the closer role with the Dodgers and would be the fallback option if Heilman is unavailable (hurt or in the rotation.)
If the Mets free up a rotation spot for Heilman, I like him to surprise on the upside. He will fill the role of the single digits $$ draftee who goes 3.80/1.30 with 12W – a kind of Brad Penny, Doug Davis, Chris Capuano, etc.
Lastings Milledge is their top prospect but currently resides in CF and will have to get off to a fast start in AAA to be recalled. He will also need the RF situation to be disastrous in order to force the Mets to have him open his major league career with a position change.
2 comments:
Mets are still the Mets. They restock with overpaid players and don't get much better. Granted, this year their offensive heavy, but it's about pitching. They still have holes in the rotation, and that's going to come back and burn them.
I like their rotation. This does not mean I think it is deep with #1s and #2s, but Pedro matches up with anyone's #1.
I prefer Tim Hudson and Lieber to Glavine, but Benson/Trachsel matches up well against Thomson/Sosa or Lidle/Phillie #4.
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