This week’s question to the RDMB staff:
What do you think the Mets should do with Kirk Nieuwenhuis once Andres Torres returns from the DL?
Here are their responses:
Spencer Schneier:
Don’t wanna cop out here, but I would say it depends on A.) if he keeps playing well and B.) if the Mets are serious about trying to contend this year. If Captain Kirk can hit at a .270/.340/.450 clip (roughly) then he should probably get the job. Torres brings elite defense and the only true speed that our line-up can offer, and he is also a known quantity. The Zips projections for ROY are pretty similar, but gun to my head? I’ll take Captain Kirk.
Peter Duffy
Kirk needs to play everyday. It’s nice to see what he has done at the big league level, but the Mets should also see what they have in Torres. Since only one can start, I say send Kirk down so he can stay sharp. If Torres plays great, that’s fantastic – you have a CF for now and a good OF waiting at Buffalo. If he falls on his face then bring Kirk back. It is way early and they don’t figure to contend this year – and neither Kirk nor Torres is going to change that – so assess what you have and move on accordingly.
Kingman26:
Sending Kirk down would be ludicrous.
He needs to play and I say you set up a modified 4 man OF platoon where Kirk moves around.
It is high time Bay sits twice a week, Duda cannot hit lefties and Torres needs a day off a week to rest his gimpiness.
Play them all about 5 games each every week.
Bryan Zarpentine:
I would keep both and DFA Baxter. If Kirk needs to be sent down for more seasoning it’ll be obvious to everyone and you can make that move, but if not then keep him because so far he has looked like he belongs. Torres is really more of a fourth outfielder so let him play that role. It will allow you to potentially replace Duda late for defensive purposes and take Bay out of the lineup against hard throwing righties (or if he is just plain terrible). No offense to Baxter, but if you take him away and keep both Torres and Kirk the bench looks better and also you’ll free up a spot on the 40-man roster, which I think is something this team could really use.
Daniel Stein-Sayles:
Once Torres returns, I would start Kirk the majority of the time for a couple reasons. Torres has been an injury risk throughout his career and the only way to find out if Kirk is for real is to give him regular playing time. I would give Torres some starts in center as not to completely phase him out and spell Bay and Duda more often with Kirk. This way the Mets can infuse Torres speed into a lineup that severely needs it while still getting Kirk the at-bats he needs to improve as a player.
Connor O’Brien:
I, too, see no reason for Terry Collins to NOT play Kirk Nieuwenhuis. As TRS said, why would you start a guy like Torres, a washed-up veteran who may not even be around next year? It would be different if Torres had a good season last year, but he didn’t. A .221/.312/.330 slash line should not guarantee you a starting spot on a major league roster.
“Gonzo” Will:
Captain Kirk starts and Torres comes off the bench. Trade deadline rolls around….trade Torres. Torres is injury prone and is only going to get hurt again. Captain Kirk is the future….along with Davis, tejada and the young pitchers in AAA
From TRS86′s post on this subject a few days ago:
So who would you guys rather see? A guy in Torres that had his best and only decent year a couple of years ago (not to knock a guy while he is down) or a young kid that looks like he completely understands his role on the team and is willing to do whatever it takes? I know, I know, a bit one sided isn’t it? For me I hope these next few weeks leaves Terry with no choice but to keep the Captain in charge of CF.
Mr. North Jersey:
It’s a question that really can’t be answered now due to it depending on too many variables but that being said if he can continue to play well I think Baxter may be the odd man out when all is said and done.
MRose:
I think for now we have to keep Kirk, I’m in the send Baxter down camp. (or DFA)
22 comments
ConnorUAF
4/22/2012-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
Authors: I can still add you if you want. Just shoot me an E-Mail.
Bryan
4/22/2012-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
Not sure if Baxter has options or if they’d have to DFA him, but I doubt if anyone would claim him on waivers anyway, so they could clear up some space on the 40-man roster, which is overloaded with prospects that are either years away or have no clear path to the big leagues.
Stickguy
4/22/2012-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
pretty sure he has options so they can send him down.
Hazmet
4/22/2012-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
On other things Mets starting Thursday:
http://www.hofstra.edu/Home/News/PressReleases/040512_MetsConference.html
Stickguy
4/22/2012-5:10pm at 5:10 pm (UTC -4)
I think Knog has the right idea.
torres has never really been good, and IMO is not an elite defender. Combine that with the recurring injury that likely will continue to limit him, and I highly doubt he is going to do more defensively than Kirk, on top of not being much of a hitter.
I thought all along Torres was just a fine 4th OF, and a placeholder until someone came along to replace him. Well, so far, that has happened.
Having both really frees up someone to give Bay bench time, which should happen vs. most RHP now. So a rotation makes a ton of sense.
kingman 26
4/22/2012-6:42pm at 6:42 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks!
Of course he is not an elite anything.
NJstuckinTX
4/22/2012-5:18pm at 5:18 pm (UTC -4)
MRose and the Zarp are spot on.
Who know is Capt Kirk and his flowing locks will be the CF for years to come, but he is young, at least as good as Torres, is cheap and has the possibility of blossoming into something better. I’m all for making him the CF going from here on out with Torres to be the 4th OF to spell Bay and the Duda.
PS, Ike is just killing me. It’s not that he’s struggling at the plate. That I can understand. It is the complaining about not getting calls and lipping off to the umps that’s rubbing me like sandpaper. Ike… You have not earned the right to do that yet.
Stickguy
4/22/2012-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
we are close to the point of having to address an important questions. What is the name for 1/2 the Mendoza line? The Pelfrey line?
gategem
4/22/2012-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
This is a great line: 162 game average after 16 years
155PA, .085BA, .117OBP, .108SLG, -38OPS+(that’s right it is a negative number), 5BB, 86SO, 15TB
It was a pitcher and I remember seeing him pitch and hit and whenever he would foul a pitch off the crowd would give him a standing ovation.
gategem
4/22/2012-6:33pm at 6:33 pm (UTC -4)
The 162 game average from baseball reference is somewhat meaningless for a pitcher. The better numbers are his 16 year numbers:
427PA, .085BA, .117OBP, .108SLG, -38OPS, 14BB, 236SO, 42TB
Stickguy
4/22/2012-6:52pm at 6:52 pm (UTC -4)
My lord, that is bad. I would think you could take any decent HS player, send them straight to the majors, and they might be able to top that.
Can’t wait to find out who it is, but I think we have a winner!
srt
4/22/2012-7:21pm at 7:21 pm (UTC -4)
How long before Torres returns?
The longer look we get at Captain Kirk the better. If he makes a case for sticking as the starting CF, that would be fine with me.
If there’s still some question about starter vs. 4th OF by the time Torres returns, I still like to take a longer look.
Either way, I vote leave Kirk up, send Baxter down.
ConnorUAF
4/22/2012-8:40pm at 8:40 pm (UTC -4)
Torres is probably out for at least another two weeks, maybe 2-4
Stickguy
4/22/2012-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
almost not even worth discussing at this point what will happen when he gets back. The situation can change significantly in that time frame.
Stickguy
4/22/2012-8:48pm at 8:48 pm (UTC -4)
totally off topic, and I realize we are only 10% into the season, but it still makes me feel happy to look at the standings and see the Phillies in last place.
Mr North Jersey
4/22/2012-9:07pm at 9:07 pm (UTC -4)
Who will replace Lee in rotation?
NJstuckinTX
4/22/2012-9:17pm at 9:17 pm (UTC -4)
Wangler or Levi’s
Stickguy
4/22/2012-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
good one.
The real answer is Kyle Kendrick. Certainly a nice step down.
Mr North Jersey
4/22/2012-9:15pm at 9:15 pm (UTC -4)
This should make you smile then.
http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=media%2Fgettyphoto%2F2012%5C04%5C22%5C143273588.jpg
SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 22: Juan Pierre #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies touches the base after he’s tagged out leading off first base in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 22, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Padres won 6-1.
srt
4/23/2012-7:59am at 7:59 am (UTC -4)
Oh, you have no idea…..
I think this is the year they will start to regress. Looking at that lineup w/o Howard and Utley……not enough offense.
Too much regression in some of the other bats this early season.
- Polanco at 36 looks to be pretty much done with the bat.
- Rollins is off to a slow start
- Ruiz is nursing a sore wrist and Schneider is long past done. From what I’m reading, he’s bouncing balls down to second base on a steal attempt.
- Mayberry is looking to shake out as a 4th OF type. Don’t know why Brown isn’t brought up – unless they think his defense still needs some work.
- Pence is off to a slow start.
And of course, I’m loving it…..
gategem
4/23/2012-12:38am at 12:38 am (UTC -4)
74PA, .382BA, .411OBP, .618SLG, 165OPS+
So I found the following totally appropriate (notice it can also represent Phillies and RedSox fans)
http://gifsforum.com/images/gif/cannot%20unsee%20what%20has%20been%20seen/grand/cannot-unsee-what-has-been-seen-eccbc87e4b5ce2fe28308fd9f2a7baf3-742.gif
srt
4/23/2012-8:01am at 8:01 am (UTC -4)
LOL….on that .gif.
Jeter is like the Energizer Bunny.
Still think Reyes winds up back in NY when Jeter finally goes – as the new Yankee SS.