How do you think they set up the infield for Opening Day?

[Edgy MD]

Now that the Mets have stockpiled infielders, including two big-shot secondbasemen, it looks like it could be a potential strength, but it isn't at all clear how they fit.



Be sure that what I'm asking here is what the Mets will do (if they don't have any other infield transactions or camp injuries), rather than what you would do, although feel free to share that, as well, just not on the ballot.

[bmfc1]

(It's "Alonso".)

[kcmets]

1B-Frazier, 2B-Canó, 3B-Lowrie, SS-Rosario

[metsmarathon]

i went cano - lowrie - rosario - frazier around the diamond. mostly, i like to be different. i think that might be the best defensive setup, without diving into the numbers too deeply.



they'll probably start with kc's setup, though. unless somebody is hurt or traded, those four have to be the starters.

[smg58]

McNeil-Cano-Rosario-Lowrie. Alonso won't be up right away, and it would be self-defeating not to play McNeil ahead of Smith or Frazier.

[Benjamin Grimm]

=kcmets post_id=1102 time=1547466006 user_id=53]
1B-Frazier, 2B-Canó, 3B-Lowrie, SS-Rosario

[Centerfield]

It's such an odd team construction right now.



I'm guessing that some sort of trade might be coming, but as of right now, I wonder if the plan is to have both Alonso and McNeil start in Syracuse.

[Edgy MD]

(It's "Alonso".)

I woke up in the middle of the night with this exact thought: "Shit, did I type 'Alonzo'?"



I won't edit because I don't want to futz up the voting.

[seawolf17]

=Centerfield post_id=1109 time=1547478165 user_id=65]
It's such an odd team construction right now.



I'm guessing that some sort of trade might be coming, but as of right now, I wonder if the plan is to have both Alonso and McNeil start in Syracuse.

[A Boy Named Seo]

I really have no idea. I think it's a certainty Cano, Lowrie, and Rosario will be in there. I'm just not sure what kind of third base Lowrie plays or if Cano would be fine shifting over to first. In either scenario, both of those players seem to be more valuable as a second baseman than a corner infielder.

[Theoldmole]

Lowrie at third, McNeill supersub, and I put Frazier at first because he hasn't been traded yet. I'd rather it be Smith or Alonzo.

[nymr83]

Frazier, Cano, Rosario, Lowrie seems most likely as Rosario is still seen as a top prospect and the other guys make lots of money.



No way is Alonso in there. If 1B is a disaster they might not wait for 'super 2' in June but they will at least wait a week or two which gives them an extra year of control, even if that control comes with arbitration.

[Edgy MD]

One possibility is that Frazier opens as the platoon partner for Smitty at first, and backs up Lowrie at third, which could also make him effectively Rosario's backup, as Lowrie slides over to short.



That doesn't leave much playing time for McNeil, but if he performs, he'll insinuate himself in.

[Fman99]

I put Frazier at 3B and Lowrie at 1B but I think its some combination of them + Rosario and Cano unless roster moves are still yet to be.

[Edgy MD]

The Rangers' bigger focus right now, though, may be a third baseman to pair with Patrick Wisdom. The club has discussed free agents Josh Harrison and, to a lesser degree, Yangervis Solarte, sources have said. (John) Daniels declined to discuss specific free agents, but did acknowledge the Rangers would like to find an infielder who can contribute at third base and who, in a perfect world, hits right-handed.

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2019/01/10/rangers-taking-chance-rotation-full-tommy-john-patients-effort-get-bang-buckhttps://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2019/01/10/rangers-taking-chance-rotation-full-tommy-john-patients-effort-get-bang-buck

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Down goes Frazier!

[Edgy MD]

And mebbe the Mets get Shin-Soo Choo after all.

[seawolf17]

Edgy MD wrote: And mebbe the Mets get Shin-Soo Choo after all.

You know? I'd make that deal in a second.

[Vic Sage]

THIS:

Frazier, Cano, Rosario, Lowrie seems most likely as Rosario is still seen as a top prospect and the other guys make lots of money. No way is Alonso in there. If 1B is a disaster they might not wait for 'super 2' in June but they will at least wait a week or two which gives them an extra year of control, even if that control comes with arbitration.

AND THIS:

Edgy MD wrote: One possibility is that Frazier opens as the platoon partner for Smitty at first, and backs up Lowrie at third, which could also make him effectively Rosario's backup, as Lowrie slides over to short. That doesn't leave much playing time for McNeil, but if he performs, he'll insinuate himself in.

McNeil will be the LH IF/OF/Ut bat off the bench. If he hits (again), I think he'll end up in splitting time with Lagares, with Nimmo and Conforto playing everyday, and with D. Smith and Broxton on the bench.

[Vic Sage]

Edgy MD wrote: And mebbe the Mets get Shin-Soo Choo after all. You know? I'd make that deal in a second.

me too... Choo-Nimmo-Conforto (with Lagares and Broxton as backup RHed CFers who can come in for defense), with room for JD Davis and D.Smith at 1b.

[Centerfield]

Choo is 36 years old, is playing in a hitter friendly park, and makes $21 million this year and next.



Texas better be throwing in a ton of money.

[Lefty Specialist]

Texas is looking for a third baseman, but I don't want Choo in return. I wish this team could get younger instead of older.

[Vic Sage]

this team is clearly in "win now" mode. Trading a 33-year old Frazier for a 36-year old Choo is not really aging us significantly. And choo is coming off a better year than Frazier, and is a better overall player, whose road numbers still include an OPS over .800. And contract-wise, maybe they take Lagares off our hands, too, for some prospects, and then the money is a wash, more or less. And what good would Texas throwing in a ton of money do, if the CouPons are just going to put it in their pocket (or service debt) anyway?

[A Boy Named Seo]

I think the Padres could use Frazier, but we'd have to either pay most of his salary or send our 14 best prospects to San Diego to get them to accept.

[nymr83]

Vic Sage wrote: this team is clearly in "win now" mode. Trading a 33-year old Frazier for a 36-year old Choo is not really aging us significantly. And choo is coming off a better year than Frazier, and is a better overall player, whose road numbers still include an OPS over .800. And contract-wise, maybe they take Lagares off our hands, too, for some prospects, and then the money is a wash, more or less. And what good would Texas throwing in a ton of money do, if the CouPons are just going to put it in their pocket (or service debt) anyway?

Choo for Frazier sounds good to me. Choo for Frazier and Lagares' contract sounds even better, but only if "Lagares' contract" gets spent elsewhere. otherwise he might as well be the 25th man to be replaced later

[LWFS]

Y'know, Lowrie was primarily a SS until very recently. There's a significant non-zero chance that Amed sits in favor of BVW's Jedi bud.