Andy Martino of the NY Daily News is reporting that the Mets will soon send Adam Loewen to Minor League Camp, after losing his battle with Mike Baxter.
Martino cites a team source telling him there is a “99.9%” chance of that being the scenario.
This means that the bench will look something like this:
Mike Nickeas
Mike Baxter/Free Agent Pickup X
Ronny Cedeno
Justin Turner
Scott Hairston
Not that this announcement is Earth-shattering news, but it definitely helps round out the roster. It looks like the health of Scott Hairston will have more to do with that than anything else, as he is on a major-league deal.
If Andres Torres will miss time, or if he plays poorly, look for either Matt Den Dekker or Jordany Valdespin to end up in center field. Although to be honest, I was unimpressed with what I saw of Valdespin in center field against Atlanta, he looked out of place, and appeared as though he lacks the arm to play outfield, and Den Dekker just simply isn’t a major league hitter yet. Toby Hyde mentioned that he would have to finish in the 80th percentile of his PECOTA projections to be a league average eight hitter. Now go back and reread that sentence.
As far as the Mets signing a free agent to come fill out the bench, I just don’t see where I viable option could pop up. Is anyone crazy about the idea of Jack Cust (As I write this it has been reported he has signed with an NL team)? Casey Blake? Its pretty bare.
This is obviously a fluid situation that could change at any moment, as there are now multiple reports out that Torres and Hairston are good to go for Opening Day. Obviously this is great news as this means Valdespin and Den Dekker can return to the minors to continue their development, and we could possibly see them mid-season.
If we were to sign Jack Cust that could send Baxter to Triple-A. Cust most recently hit .213/.344/.329 for Seattle last season.
What do you guys think, like the idea of Cust? Or do you want someone else?
Update: Cust is a Yankee, hat tip to Stick
9 comments
Stick
3/28/2012-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
Cust doesn’t seem to have much left. But, sometimes guys beat the odds (just not if they are named Bay).
I am fine with Baxter now, and was expecting this move anyway.
Assuming hairston doesn’t have a set back, he will be there. Torres, now he could be a problem. No way Valdespin will start the year there, and Den Dekker really looks like he needs to go down for more work.
It is still possible that the supposed wave of waives next week will pop loose someone better, but it this is the bench, let’s rock and roll.
And Kirk really had poor timing this year.
Stick
3/28/2012-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
And, just popped up on Spyder a reprot that the Yankees signed Cust anyway.
MetsFan4Decades
3/28/2012-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
How close is Kirk N. to being healthy?
Stick
3/28/2012-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
toby had something on him yesterday I believe. I think he is in that feeling good, working out, but not quite playing yet phase. And I think he was expecting to be ready by opening day.
so should be close.
MetsFan4Decades
3/28/2012-2:33pm at 2:33 pm (UTC -4)
That’s good to know.
I would think if either Hairston or Torres go on the DL, he’d be the first called up, right? What’s the point of either denDekker – who Spencer correctly deemed not ready or Valdespin who doesn’t have any experience in CF. That’s kind of scary with Duda playing RF.
I’d rather see a real CF.
Ceetar
3/28/2012-2:59pm at 2:59 pm (UTC -4)
They wanted to call Nieuwenhuis up last year, and would’ve if he didn’t get hurt. It seems like they basically just want him to hit in the minors and gets a couple more reps type thing, but they suspect it’ll be sooner rather than later. The oblique only accentuates that. Unless Torres is Emaus-bad though he’ll remain at least probably through April-May.
Baxter can probably play CF just fine. Haven’t gotten to watch a ton of Spring while he’s been out there, but it was a space issue, not a talent issue, that pushed him to the corners in the minors.
Stick
3/28/2012-3:25pm at 3:25 pm (UTC -4)
I still think the plan for Torres was to be a 4th OF, and the emergency option to start the year if Kirk wasn’t ready to go.
So very possible by April/May someplace they call kirk up.
could also end up in a rotation with LF also, to keep Bay from facing RHP.
Reese
3/28/2012-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
Cust would have been redundant. If you wanted an all-or-nothing hitter who strikes out in nearly half his at-bats while being a liability in the field, you could just promoted Loewen
Hazmet
3/28/2012-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
FA Pickup X = Johnny Damon?? Any interest? I’d make the call, bat off the bench can play the OF a little still as spot starter.