Beltran to First Base?
According to an eye witness at Amazin’ Stories: “Carlos Beltran took batting practice on the field and looked fine” “He did put one in the Pepsi Porch so I’m surprised the Mets didn’t have him in tonights lineup.”
Reading this got me thinking.
Why not play Beltran at 1B? I know we have seen guys try 1B and not be great at it. However, Beltran is an athlete, I am sure he would have no problem with it. It would dramatically reduce his running and allow him to return to the lineup less than 100%. It could also keep Beltran from further injuring his leg and risk losing next year. I know what you guys are thinking, the defense would be hurt by having another non1B at 1B. However, if we don’t get Beltran and others back soon, what would that bad defense matter anyway?
10 comments
dirtysanchez
8/1/2009-6:10pm at 6:10 pm (UTC -4)
Well..murphy has been good at 1b. What i think might be a good idea and i think you mentioned it before or someone else did but when beltran comes back, put him in LF. That would be the best idea to lessen the stress on that bruise and pagan has been playing a good CF.
trs86
8/1/2009-6:12pm at 6:12 pm (UTC -4)
True that Murphy has been playing well. But Murphy does not have Beltran’s bat. According to our fearless leader when Beltran returns he will at most play 2 off 1. That would be ok for Murphy.
trs86
8/1/2009-6:13pm at 6:13 pm (UTC -4)
I guess you could argue LF but in Citi LF is not a great place to play either.
dirtysanchez
8/1/2009-6:38pm at 6:38 pm (UTC -4)
I know but the way things are going, Murphy will be our 1bman in 2010 and this season is not looking promising so..give him as many games there as possible before gado comes back. Beltran can alternate with sheffield in LF since it doesnt look like reyes will be back anytime soon and pagan is perfect so far as a leadoff man.
njstuckintx
8/1/2009-10:29pm at 10:29 pm (UTC -4)
I hope they keep Murph at first for 2010 and possible 2011 (think Davis to take over in the future). His glove is a positive, he is cheap, and granted his power is lacking, do we really have to have 30 HR hitting first baseman? Yes, I would like a 30 hr hitting person at each position, but I’m looking at being realistic here. Save the money for pitching. Pagan in left or center, Beltran to be Batman to Pagan’s robin, Francouer in Right, Wright, Reyes, Castillo, Murph, and some catcher is a decent lineup. Yes, I know having better people for the Pagan’s and Murphy’s and Castillo’s and possibly the Francouer’s of this world would be ideal, But I’ll take what I can. Spending $ on 2 starting pitchers, a number 2 & 4, which moves Pelf to #3 and Ollie to #5 would be ideal.
I could always just mention Crawford for LF instead of Pagan and get some people’s approval…
trs86
8/1/2009-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
Who you spending that money on?
And sorry that lineup is rough.
njstuckintx
8/1/2009-10:59pm at 10:59 pm (UTC -4)
Lackey, Bedard, Duchscherer, Wellemeyer, Brett Meyers (haha).
There are possibilities out there. And yeah, I would love upgrades all over the place. Was just looking at the cheap fixes. And I have a feeling that cheap fixes are what we are in for this offseason, unfortunately.
metsfan4decades
8/1/2009-7:02pm at 7:02 pm (UTC -4)
Thinking outside the box…Hmmm…..
I actually think 1st base would be worse on his knee. You have to do more lunching off the feet, stopping short, piviting, etc. on 1sst base that I think would put more stress on it. With the outfield, you got the long running so it’s probably six one, half dozen of the other…
GravediggerHebner
8/1/2009-7:02pm at 7:02 pm (UTC -4)
I am neither a regular doctor nor a sports specific doctor, but in CF “all” you do is run to the ball. At 1B, you bend forward, twist, change direction suddenly, charge on bunt plays, and step on the 1B bag which is raised while stretching sometimes severely to catch a throw. It seems to me all those things would be worse for his bruise than simply running to catch a fly ball or pick up a base hit as he would in CF.
GravediggerHebner
8/1/2009-7:04pm at 7:04 pm (UTC -4)
In other words, what MF4D said.