Two things are obvious to most Mets fans. One, Lucas Duda has offensive potential and Lucas Duda’s defense is offensive. He has not looked anything but awkward every where he has played at times making Murphy look graceful. Recently Lucas made the comment that he felt most comfortable at 1B, then LF, then RF. Leaving RF as last he might as well have said catcher. Duda at this point, however, is still the most ready player to replace Beltran in the lineup not only this year but next as well.
Why not entertain the idea of sliding Bay to RF and slotting Duda in LF for two reasons. One to see if Bay is able to handle RF defensively and Two to see if Duda can handle playing everyday in LF. If both of those turn into yeses then you have answered one of the questions going into this off-season. Also, while Bay is still offensive, his offense becomes less of an issue if he can play a solid RF.
Thoughts?
25 comments
Dirtysanchez
7/27/2011-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
Well right now bay is the most reliable OF. Dont know about either of those guys arms and that counts for something. At this point, Terry almost has a free pass to try anything though I would hope he had a post-beltran game plan. I see nothing wrong with trying this out.
Anonymous
7/27/2011-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. And what’s Bay going to do? If he complains and whines, I think the masses would stone him to death.
Dirtysanchez
7/27/2011-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
Well right now bay is the most reliable OF. Dont know about either of those guys arms and that counts for something. At this point, Terry almost has a free pass to try anything though I would hope he had a post-beltran game plan. I see nothing wrong with trying this out.
Bryan
7/27/2011-8:49pm at 8:49 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve always been skeptical of Duda in right field, although it’s tough to fault his effort. Watching Bay in the outfield it’s obvious that he has been under-rated and under-valued defensively throughout his career because he has played a good left field this year, so I certainly think that Bay is capable of playing a decent right field and theoretically would be better than Duda. It doesn’t hurt to ask Bay and I think he would considering his lack of offensive contribution, but on the other hand it might not be the best time to ask him to switch positions, considering the mental strain his offensive woes have caused.
TRS86
7/27/2011-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, I would not be too concerned about asking Bay anything. Move him and tell him to get the hell out there or hit the Bench and we will go with Pridie and Pagan.
Anonymous
7/27/2011-9:01pm at 9:01 pm (UTC -4)
You’re asking a player that has more than he can handle trying to find his lost batting stroke to also concentrate on learning a new position. Not sure if it’s a good idea.
TRS86
7/27/2011-9:10pm at 9:10 pm (UTC -4)
No, I am asking him to help the team while in turn asking him to not make me watch Duda stumble around in RF.
SaltyGary
7/27/2011-9:10pm at 9:10 pm (UTC -4)
He should be moved to the concession stand.
Dirtysanchez
7/27/2011-11:34pm at 11:34 pm (UTC -4)
Ha!
Anonymous
7/27/2011-9:43pm at 9:43 pm (UTC -4)
frankly, Bay should be on the bench or on the street. So hell yeah, ship his sorry ass to RF.
if the 2 of them are going to play, that is the best alignment.
And I do want to see Duda get everyday time, to see if his big July #s can be sustained.
he has also shown that when he gets settled in and gets regular PT, the HRs fly too.
TRS86
7/27/2011-9:45pm at 9:45 pm (UTC -4)
Really? He has shown the HR fly? Are you basing that just on September of last year or on minor league numbers? I hope you are right on him.
Anonymous
7/27/2011-9:53pm at 9:53 pm (UTC -4)
september, and minors.
he has tended to start a bit slow at a new place, then get hot after a bit and start putting up a lot of production.
Hell, screw the HRs, the dude has an OPS 0f 1.0+ in July. with only 1 HR (but a few other long drives that were out of most parks).
Speaking of which, I saw the phillie highlights from a couple of days ago, and they hit 3 HRs (2 by utley maybe, not sure the other) that looked like half swing pop ups that carried to the 1st 1-2 rows. Swear that none of them probably reach the warning track at Citi.
TRS86
7/27/2011-9:54pm at 9:54 pm (UTC -4)
Either way he’s gonna have to be able to play even average defense and that is not going to happen in RF. They should make the move.
Anonymous
7/27/2011-9:56pm at 9:56 pm (UTC -4)
not a bad idea. we know we’re strong defensively in LF with Bay, the question is whether we’re willing to be weak in two positions if Bay stinks in RF. i guess it is worth finding out.
TRS86
7/27/2011-9:58pm at 9:58 pm (UTC -4)
The problem is that Duda really just can’t play RF.
Anonymous
7/27/2011-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
bay cna handle center, so RF should not be that much of a problem for someone with as much OF experience as he has.
I understand it is a bit different, but be real, not like we are asking him to move to catcher or 3B.
I agree with TRS, that if Duda is playing, then they are better off with him in LF, in honor of former mets foster and kingman.
Anonymous
7/28/2011-8:25am at 8:25 am (UTC -4)
LOL And here I thought Duda was the next coming of Babe Ruth. So not only should Duda be able to play RF but he should become the ace of the pitching staff.
Anonymous
7/27/2011-10:06pm at 10:06 pm (UTC -4)
I assume it won’t happen until tomorrow if the deal isn’t final, but I wonder who they are going to be calling up to replace Carlos? i guess who gets the starting gig will help determine that.
TRS86
7/27/2011-10:19pm at 10:19 pm (UTC -4)
New guy Baxter is almost a lock.
MetsFan4Decades
7/28/2011-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
Just an FYI: read somewhere last night that they can’t call Baxter up either. He’s stuck with the required 10? 15? day wait as he was assigned to the minors.
Someone tweeted after the game – might have been Rubin – that they’re recalling Nickeas.
MetsFan4Decades
7/27/2011-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
Who is down there and available?
Can’t be Evans b/c I think he’s got to stay down there for another 10 days or so.
Kirk is out for the season, FMart is on the DL.
MetsFan4Decades
7/27/2011-11:07pm at 11:07 pm (UTC -4)
On WFAN at 5pm, TC answered when asked who’s out of the gate first in RF?
He said, Duda. With Carlos gone he’s going to have to step it up and figure it out. ‘He’s got about an hour and a half to do it’.
LOL.
Anonymous
7/27/2011-11:32pm at 11:32 pm (UTC -4)
No mention of Hairston in RF, surprised. No, I don’t move Bay. Duda is essentially a Rookie and should work to stick wherever they put him. I didn’t at all like hearing on the broadcast tonight about him stating, “I’m more comfortable at first, then third, then LF” When Terry was asked about this he replied “well he better get comfortable in a hurry”. Moving Bay isn’t even worth talking about, Terry’s not going to jerk a vet around even if he’s sucking. As for Duda, maybe you’d be more comfortable playing first in Buffalo. Shut up and accept the challenge, this is your moment don’t blow it.
TRS86
7/28/2011-2:27am at 2:27 am (UTC -4)
I think he said 1b, LF, then RF.
Anonymous
7/28/2011-1:07am at 1:07 am (UTC -4)
If Bay felt at all guilty about how much money he has been stealing so far from the Mets, he would go in and offer to do it for the sake of the team.