Mets RF status

[Guest mario25]

Just wondering what the Mets should do with the RF position? I know Church is the starting RF but who gets the AB's when a lefty is pitching? Can he hit lefty's or are they going to have a right handed hitter play??? Church looks like a good player from games I have seen against the Nats

[metirish]

I suppose he will split time with Gomez if he's not traded.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Disagree with that. If Gomez hangs around I'd like to see him get a a few months at least of everyday play in AAA to further develop him and see what he's got. We'll need an everyday replacement for Alou at some points during the season and of course in 09.

As for Church, I thought maybe Pagan could be looked at as that guy with the idea we could move Chavez.

[metirish]

I dunno but I don't see Gomez spending that time in AAA, don't disagree that he doesn't need it though, also Anderson and Chavez will look to be getting time in LF and RF.

[Guest AG/DC]

I certainly see Gomez spending time in AAA. You can book it.

[Vic Sage]

Gomez was overmatched by ML pitching. If they really think he's a legit prospect, he's got to start in AAA and play full time.

Meanwhile the lack of a backup OFer who can hit LHPs is a serious problem. Church has an extreme platoon differential, and none of Pagan, CHavez, or Anderson have ever shown very much against LHP. That leaves 38-year old career infielder Damien Easley as the sole candidate for tht slot.

Ouch.

They can only keep 1 of Chavez or Pagan. The other slot HAS to go to a good RHed OFer to PH or platoon.

[Guest AG/DC]

Church

Pitcher	AB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs RHP	788	.275	.352	.481	.833
vs LHP	209	.254	.331	.392	.723

Does that qualify as extreme? I think it's above average, perhaps, and they need a righthanded alternative, but I don't think it's hopeless either.

Losing .110 in OPS is nothing good, but Carlos Delgado, over his career, gives up .208 whenever a lefty is on the mound.

I'd still prefer Milledge, to be sure.

[Valadius]

I kept railing on Gomez for months over his lack of production. He needs a lot more seasoning at AAA.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

AG/DC wrote: Does that qualify as extreme? I think it's above average, perhaps, and they need a righthanded alternative, but I don't think it's hopeless either.

It's not the need so much as a the lack of anyone reliable to fill it.

[smg58]

Bobby Kielty is still available. While he struggled last year with multiple injuries, in the past he's hit lefties very well. He could probably be had cheaply.

Ideally we could sell high on Gotay for some pitching help. Anderson can play second and Easley short, so he's expendable to make room for another righthanded bat. Even trading him for a good reliever, assuming the price for starting pitchers continues to be wrong, would be a net plus for the team. Then Pagan can serve as the 26th man, where I think he's best suited.

[Guest AG/DC]

It may mean nothing, but Jose Valentin said he expects to re-sign with the Mets as well, though he won't be ready on opening day.

[Guest mario25]

Free Agent Rh outfielders still available: Trot Nixon,Reggie Sanders,Jason Lane,Emil Brown,Bobby Kielty,Shannon Stewart...just a thought

[Guest mario25]

Sorry Trot is LH....

[Guest sharpie]

I think Church will get the most at-bats versus lefties. I think they'd rather not have a platoon situation if at all possible and, as AGDC cites, the splits aren't that extreme.

[MFS62]

mario25 wrote: Free Agent Rh outfielders still available: Trot Nixon,Reggie Sanders,Jason Lane,Emil Brown,Bobby Kielty,Shannon Stewart...just a thought

Stewart has a lousy arm (that from my pals in Toronto). But he does run and field pretty well. Sounds like a left fielder to me.
Maybe Reggie Sanders can crank it up one more time.

Later

[Valadius]

Lane just signed a minor league deal with the MFYs.