As expected the Mets have optioned Justin Turner to AAA. Sandy said as much in a recent interview during a game earlier this week (can’t recall which one). He made note that Turner’s option was huge in the decision making process as was Emaus’ Rule 5 status.
Now the question is Hu who will be manning 2B for the Mets come opening day. According to most reports, the Mets are set to name Emaus the starting 2B with Murphy as a BU IF and cutting Luis Hernandez. However, with this new regime can anyone be sure? I look forward to the next few days to see what this group has to offer the 2011 work hard or go home Mets.
88 comments
oleosmirf
3/23/2011-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
I still think Murphy should get 2-3 games a week at 2B b/c his bat in the 7 hole is a huge asset.
njstuckintx
3/23/2011-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
+1.
metsfan4decades
3/23/2011-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
Agreed.
Why the need to name a starting 2nd baseman right now?
Looks like both Murph and Emaus will be on the starting roster. So use them both accordingly, where it makes the most sense.
CaseStreet
3/23/2011-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
So will Eamus face righties, too? What happened to the platoon?
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
they should, at worst, platoon these 2. Emaus is not a defensive whiz either, and if he isn’t hitting, he brings nothing to the table. And at this point, I don’t see him hitting much if at all vs. RHP.
So, let them split time until one proves he should or shouldn’t be part of the mix. Or Havens is ready. Whichever comes first.
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
The problem with the “platoon” is that Murphy is LH and would receive the bulk of the playing time. Now if you gave Murphy say 2-3 games a week vs RH but is that really a platoon?
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
let murphy play vs.RHP until he proves he can’t. I suspect that Emaus won’t last all that long playing every day, not hitting diddle vs. RHP.
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
We shall see if he is able to use his OBP skills vs RH. LOL.
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
my guess is, No.
slightly harder in the majors when the RHP throws stuff for strikes when they want to that you can’t hit anyway.
expect to see a lot of 0-2 holes, with flailing swings at nasty sliders in the dirt for strike 3.
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Today’s lineup:
Mets Wed. lineup vs. Cardinals: Harris-LF, Murphy-3B, Hairston-CF, Davis-1B, Emaus-2B, Duda-RF, Thole-C, Hernandez-SS, Dickey-RHP
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
guess that answers the question.
still not quite sure what they see in this guy. Turner has put up overall better numbers in the minors, especially factoring in playing home games in Vegas, and seems to field overall better (and can play SS).
Oh well. If he bombs out, you may be seeing a lot more of murphy anyway. And Havens by May 15th. Book it.
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
Again, Turner or Emaus was an easy decision. Neither have stood out, one has options one does not…. Done.
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
I understand that part. Still annoyed Turner never got more consideration before this, as in last year!
I also suspect Sandy will react a little quicker than Omar often did if something ain’t working.
also have to keep in mind that this year is 1/2 going for it, and 1/2 trying to sort out pieces for the future.
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
Don’t you think there may be something to the fact that neither the O’s nor the Mets previous or current FO are “giving Turner a chance”?
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
as opposed to the guy that was not even good enough to be protected from the rule 5 draft?
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Yet is on the team and Turner is not.
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Not really much of notable difference in any of the 3′s minor league numbers. Only that Turner’s had an extra year there.
Turner: 5 seasons, 2158 PA, .309, .373, .442, .815
Emaus: 4 seasons, 1810 PA, .276, .364, . 426, .790
Murphy: 4 seasons, 1126 PA, .295, .356, .452, .808
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
man, is that a motley looking line up or what? Screams September, 2009!
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Question though, assuming it is Emaus where do you hit him?
I think his skills would be better at 8 and Thole at 7 but it also depends on where Ike is hitting.
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
a few moving parts, including beltran and RF, but I will try.
with the “normal” line up, emaus hits 8th. actually, with every line up, he is the worst hitter in it, and hits 8th!
I also think Ike is the best clean up option right now. And no way in hell does Beltran deserve to be stuck back in the 4 hole when he finally gets back in.
reyes/pagan/wright/davis/beltran/bay/thole/emaus.
until beltran comes back, you slide Bay up to 5, and put duda/hairston/harris (whoever is playing RF) in at 6 or 7, depending on who it is and who is pitching.
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
I think if you want to end Bay’s career, you hit him 6th with no protection behind him.
You got to hit him higher in the lineup and see if last year was a fluke. If it was not then sure, drop him, hide him, platoon him. Whatever. But batting him 6th with a rookie behind him is asking for a bad season.
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
if he can’t handle hitting 6th, he is done anyway.
OK< so you pick someone to swap with him.
Beltran? don't think so.
Davis? He is the future, so why mess with him and give him no protection?
Besides, having him 6th breaks up the string of lefties a bit.
unless you want to move him up into the 2 hole?
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
and wait, aren’t you a subscriber to the theory that line up positioning and protection are basically a myth?
6th is not that bad a spot either. should be plenty of guys on for him!
Besides, 6th is only when Beltran is playing. so likely he will spend most of the year in the 5 hole. Pretty much the same guys behind him, so maybe it won’t make much difference!
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
I think that hitting Ike 4th honestly puts a lot of pressure on him. I don’t like Bay in that spot either. Ideally that is where I would hit Beltran.
As for the protection thing? Not sure that was me unless that was the point I was arguing that day. LOL.
I mean sure there has to be something to the fact that you will see different pitches based on who is in-front and who is behind you.
Bay with Davis behind him sees a lot better pitches. Not sure at this point that Davis needs “protection” to get going. Also I am not too concerned about Davis and Thole hitting back to back.
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
I have no hope at all for Bay then if he needs more protection than a 23 YO with less than 1 full year in the majors under his belt!
so lets see, bay is no capable of being a CU hitter, and you think it might break Davis at this point.
So, plug in the cripple that isn’t even playing in ST? Not so sure that is a good idea.
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Beltran if there will hit.
Again, I am not sure where I would place them. Perhaps it will be Davis then Bay but again I would do anything I could to get Bay jumpstarted.
oleosmirf
3/23/2011-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
I would keep the catcher batting 7th unless a situation arises where Thole and Emaus are both starting against a LHP. Then I would bat Thole 8th although you would think once Paulino gets activated he will start against LHP…
kingman 26
3/23/2011-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Hey, let’s bring back a favorite topic of mine—where’s the beat writer who said Hernandez would be starting??
Prismo
3/23/2011-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
There were still tweets today saying Collins prefers him as the starter.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
In Buffalo?
TRS86
3/23/2011-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
With little to no proof to actually back up their claim. Must be all those innings he’s logged at 2B this spring.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
+ 487
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
unlike Jerry, I don’t think Collins is going to pick the roster. That is supposed to be the GMs job.
it will be interesting though to see what flexibility Collins will have to start and bench his options at 2B though.
metsfan4decades
3/23/2011-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
Is Havens completely healed/rehabbed yet from that surgery?
Is he even playing in the minors ST yet?
I don’t think any of the candidates we have are starting 2nd baseman in the majors. I like Murph’s bat but I’m worried he’ll even hold his own defensively.
Emaus hasn’t show much with the bat.
We need someone like what Havens projects to be there.
stickguy
3/23/2011-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
not sure if he is playing in games. I know at one point he was reported to be without any restrictions and doing drills, BP, etc. Then a week or so back he took a few days off being a little sore (no big surprise there), but has since I think at least done BP.
no clue if he started playing int he minors games. Have not seen his name mentioned.
I agree that neither guy projects as a solid, LT starter. that is why I say platoon them, since you don’t have to worry about development.
Ceetar
3/23/2011-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
I can say I physically saw him doing drills and workouts normally, but I don’t recall if he was playing in the minor league game i watched on SAturday, but I’m pretty sure he’s all good.
metsfan4decades
3/23/2011-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Ah…nice. Reliable first hand knowledge.
At least we can assume he’s on track this year and didn’t have any setbacks from the surgery.
stickguy
3/23/2011-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
that seems to be the case. I assume the initial soreness was just normal for someone that had surgery 6 weeks earlier!
kingman 26
3/23/2011-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
From the always reliable, never sensational Star Ledger yesterday regarding Bay playing center field:
“Bay survived. He fielded both flyballs hit to him. His only complaint with the position is the constant running. That wears on him.”
There seriously may be a lot less to Jason Bay than meets the eye.
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Not sure I see anything wrong with that comment, especially not knowing the context it was said it.
“Hey Bay how did you like playing CF today? Ready to be the opening day CF?”
“Hey man it’s not that bad but all that running whew…. that wears on me.”
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
Especially considering that every report we have ever read on Bay from Pitt to Boston to here all talk about how professional Bay is and how hard of a worker he is.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
“Hey Bay how did you like playing CF today? Ready to be the opening day CF?”
How about:
“I am not getting younger, and I am not as fast as Angel or Carlos, but with what the team expects for the generous salary they gave me, and compounded by my lack of production last year, I will enthusiastically do anything to help the team win.”
How about that as another choice for a response??
metsfan4decades
3/23/2011-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
I understand where you’re going with this but eh…..I can’t get too wound up about this comment right now.
Must be very hard to be constantly thinking about every single thing that comes out of your mouth when someone is sticking a microphone in your face.
He’s not a CF, he hardly has played CF and I don’t think he signed on here to play CF. If he has to cover the position in an emergency, I’m willing to bet he’s got no problem with that.
stickguy
3/23/2011-12:14pm at 12:14 pm (UTC -4)
I try not to overreact to the snippets of quotes without seeing the whole interview (or hell, at least the specific question he was answering!)
I know you don’t believe that media types ever take anything out of context and spin it, but I think it sometimes does happen.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
“I know you don’t believe that media types ever take anything out of context and spin it, but I think it sometimes does happen.”
You just be kidding on this one….
stickguy
3/23/2011-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
so what, now your sarcasm meter is broken?
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
OOPS!
Damn, I am sorry about that one!
LOL!
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
Again without knowing the context he could have been just joking around about the idea of him being the starting CF.
stickguy
3/23/2011-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
seems to just being a reflection that an old guy that isn’t a speed merchant isn’t designed to patrol out there!
not sure this really qualifies as whining. Would have to see the entire discussion/interview.
but yeah, should have stuck with the standard “I will do whatever I need to do to help the team win” line.
oleosmirf
3/23/2011-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
nothing wrong with being honest. Admitting that he’s not quick enough to be a center fielder is fine in my book…
Prismo
3/23/2011-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
How dare he tell the truth and say that the athleticism required to play CF can wear on his body.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, that is true.
Being in center field for a total of roughly 90 minutes, with a long break every 10 minutes or so, and MAYBE having to sprint a few dozen yards a couple of times per inning if that…..
Yeah, that is definitely like playing in the NFL, or the NBA, or playing pro soccer or hockey, or running a marathon….
Prismo
3/23/2011-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
He should play catcher too, wouldn’t even have to run. You just have to squat for 10-15 minutes, and then take 10-15 minute breaks. How easy is that? In fact, he should pitch too. Just have to throw a ball to another player.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, you are definitely operating well below your general level today.
Moving from left field to catcher or pitcher are comparable to moving from left field to center field.
OK!
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
Thing is Bay never said he could not or would not do it. He has said that he would be willing to do it and that it wears more on your body. Without seeing the context I see nothing to get upset about.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I wasn’t upset; just thought it was a weird comment.
mrose
3/23/2011-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
isn’t this whole conversation just like what the majority of beat writers do? Take something and run with it in a direction? He basically said that playing CF has more wear on a person. Unless any of us have played LF and CF as a MLB or professional baseball player and can compare the two, what is wrong w/ that comment?
King – I would assume that yes, being in CF for roughtly 90 minutes with a break etc etc is more grueling for someone not conditioned or used to it or really expecting it than doing 90 minutes in LF with potential sprints of less distance or direction (with the possibility of foul balls).
I think this is getting way blown out of proportion and I think this is actually proving that Bay will be the next whipping boy lol
TRS86
3/23/2011-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Good point in the lat sentence.
stickguy
3/23/2011-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
I think that Beltran really just proved that CF has a lot more running, and strain on the legs, than a corner OF position has!
TRS86
3/23/2011-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Good point Stick. If there was not a huge difference in CF and RF then Beltran would not have switched. Based on most reports, LF is less running than RF.
stickguy
3/23/2011-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
well, there is a reason george foster and dave kingman were put in LF and not CF.
Mr North Jersey
3/23/2011-5:16pm at 5:16 pm (UTC -4)
Well said Matt.
metsfan4decades
3/23/2011-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
LOL…if it was this easy, Murphy could be the CF backup – as good as his work ethic is.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
Well, no, after seeing how bad he was in LF.
Bay’s a good left fielder.
Prismo
3/23/2011-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
Jason Bay shouldn’t say anything if CF wears on his body and may cause injury problems is played on a regular basis. He should say “I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team,” man up, and play CF if they want him to. Then, when he pulls a hamstring mid-season, he should keep his GD mouth shut and continue to play CF until his leg falls off.
Now THAT’S true grit.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
LOL!
Yeah, guys pull hamstrings several times a day from the grind of playing CF; you NEVER have to run in LF.
This comment, my friend, is REALLY silly.
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
PS—Didn’t he get his concussion from running really fast into a wall while playing left??
Yeah, you DO run playing left field too; sometimes fast even!
Prismo
3/23/2011-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
This, yesterday, from the NYT:
“Bay said he would be happy to play center in a pinch, which could happen during the season.”
OH THE HORROR
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
LOL!
I guess you guys just really don’t think much should be expected from people making 15 million a year for eight months of work.
I disagree.
Prismo
3/23/2011-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
Absolutely I expect a lot. I expect him to play where Collins tells him to play, and he’s done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to prove that he wouldn’t.
Do I care if he says CF requires a lot of running? No, I don’t f***ing care.
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
Again, we don’t know the context. Looks like the above comment is more than acceptable.
Anyone seen the actual interview?
Prismo
3/23/2011-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
I was going to message Andy from the Ledger and ask about it, but (of course) Twitter’s down.
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Seriously Kingman, what is wrong with the comment above? That he is more than willing to play CF when needed?
kingman 26
3/23/2011-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
Well, to me, and I know I will never win an argument against the amen chorus I am faced with here, I just sometimes wonder if these guys even are aware of how different their lives are than 99.9% of humanity, especially in these horrible economic times.
How much more running is there in CF than LF? Seriously, how much more?
Just seems like a wacky thing to say; no one was suggesting he start playing NBA basketball and run up and down court for two hours….seriously, how much more running is there in CF? A handful of extra times a game? A few more yards?
Again, I know I feel much differently about this than you, MF4D, and Stick, and I felt far different about 2010 than you folks, but I would like to hear him talk like Wright talks, and not bitch about ANYTHING while getting paid 15 million a year to play baseball.
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
Why make it into sides again? Amen corner? Because I am choosing to not make a judgment until I can actually read the interview? Should I just go ahead and make a rash statement based on what I think was said?
kingman 26
3/23/2011-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
Oh come on with the “sides” nonsense already.
It was a harmless termed used in a non-offensive way.
Enough with that already TRS.
TRS86
3/23/2011-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
Again, we don’t even know that he bitched about anything. Why not wait until there is an actual interview posted instead of a summary of what was said.
mrose
3/23/2011-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
thats just it, their lives are different than 99.9% of humanity. This comment is the equivalent of you telling your boss that you will work on that other project that is out of your scope and confort zone, but just warning them that you may not be as good as your normal job.
Its like defensemen in hockey being asked to be a winger (both skate!), its like a tight end being asked to be a wide receiver when they are more a blocking TE.
Its a fine comment in the context it appears to be given in. Now, show me the whole interview.. and yes, maybe I disagree.
metsfan4decades
3/23/2011-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
Ah, HA! I knew it!
LOL…..
metsfan4decades
3/23/2011-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
Nice – today’s away game is being televised on ESPN.
Ceetar
3/23/2011-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
yes but no freaking radio broadcast and MLB At Bat for Android has no video feed.
wannybackstra
3/23/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
I have to say I chuckled at the “Hu” joke in the body of the post.
TRS86
3/23/2011-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
No where near as fun as last year’s humor with Dickey but cheap thrills none the less.
wannybackstra
3/23/2011-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
While it seems likely that Emaus will make the team (and would make no sense for his development to keep him here and not play him regularly) it doesn’t seem set in stone.
Murphy has hit well and it may not be far fetched that Murphy gets the nod with both Hu and Hernandez around on the bench because it is conceivable that Murphy gets replaced for defense by Hernandez who gets pinch hit for later in the game.
TRS86
3/23/2011-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
I just think they would rather lose Hernandez than Emaus.
wannybackstra
3/23/2011-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
I sure hope they would.
TRS86
3/23/2011-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Just basing it on your comment above listing Murphy, Hu and Hernandez.
wannybackstra
3/23/2011-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
it would be nice if they always heeded my preferences. but they don’t and as such there are no topless waitresses in the club seats and bobby parnell will start the season in Flushing.