ShortStop 2014

[ashie62]

I would like to think the Mets have a handy Plan B for SS and C.....

[Frayed Knot]

Now catcher is a position where I believe mgmt is pretty committed to the young incumbent and a place where they're going to be willing to endure the slumps and hiccups of the inevitable learning curve before looking to change course at the next opportunity. Much more so there certainly than at SS even though d'Arnaud is a bit older than Tejada, he's also yet to fumble a shot plus offers up the much higher ceiling.

[Lefty Specialist]

Whatever happened to Wilfredo Tovar? He appeared briefly last year and looked like a good-field, no-hit type, which is preferable to a no-field, no-hit type like Tejada.....is he still on the radar? Is he getting the reps at Vegas this year?

[Edgy MD]

Well, since Vegas doesn't have a roster yet, it's too early to tell.

Tovar was slowed in the early going by a sore hammy. Of course, since it didn't fit the narrative being built against Tejada, nobody insinuated that this was evidence that he was a bum. In fact, the online world scarcely noticed.

He was cut a week ago, after garnering only three plate appearances in major league camp. I expect he'll see plenty of action if he stays healthy.

[Zvon]

Flores made an excellent play on a grasscutter in the hole. Slid, backhanded,popped up and showed some nice arm. Well, if he can do that...

[Benjamin Grimm]

He's trying to fend off Didi Gregorius!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

You know he wouldn't necessarily have to if he served as Gregorius's RH-hitting platoonmate and all-around infield backup. That's prolly cost Seratelli or even Satin a job though.

[Edgy MD]

Seems to me that there's gonna be two infield backups and Satin's pretty well poised to be one no matter how the Big Spring Training Trade shakes out.

[Edgy MD]

Sources have the Cardinals dangling Pete Kozma, who was, somehow, just as bad with the bat as Tejada last year --- and actually never really hit in the minors either. But he stayed healthy and I guess would satisfy the any-face-but-Tejada's crowd. He pretty much owes his career to the only time he ever hit having occured during a September stretch and into the post-season. I guess he's a modern-day Brian Doyle in this regard.

Anyhow, if his presence on the block softens the market one iota for one of Arizona's or Seattle's shortstops, I guess that'd be helpful.

[nymr83]

ZERO interest in Kozma.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I didn't count on this Australia trip interfering with the Big Spring Training Blockbuster.

Apparently they are allowing 30-man rosters for this series so looks like Didi may arrive with game time under his belt #experience

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, I guess these pre-season/in-season international road trips might one day give a guy a chance to break Maury Wills' record for games in a season.

[ashie62]

I see Martino talking up Drew today, maybe Boras wants to close the file...

FWIW, I will take Tejada over Kozma..twice...

[MFS62]

If they wanted to pay $12 million, the Mets could have had Phil Jackson playing shortstop.

The waiting is getting to me.

Later

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

The Detroit Free Press -- using those unnamed sources -- say this:

Source: Stephen Drew willing to sign one-year deal with Tigers
3:53 PM
Veteran free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew is willing to sign a one-year contract with the Tigers, a person familiar with Drew's thinking said today. So despite the Tigers' trade today with the Angels for shortstop Andrew Romine, could Drew now be attractive to them?

Love the "a person familiar with Drew's thinking" listed as a source.

[Ceetar]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Love the "a person familiar with Drew's thinking" listed as a source.

it's great, because it really means absolutely nothing. "Well yeah, I know Drew, and I've watched him reason before. I definitely could see an argument that could lead to him considering a 1-year deal with the Tigers. It's definitely something that he could've thought."

And after covering it all season, aren't all of these reporters "familiar with Drew's thinking?" Is that all it really means? "I've been covering this all season and based on what's been said, this is certainly something that could be the result."

[Edgy MD]

I'm going to guess "aPFwDT" is a Scott Boras' racquetball partner.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Edgy MD wrote: I'm going to guess "aPFwDT" is a Scott Boras' racquetball partner.

I'm guessing that it's Scott Boras.

[Ceetar]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Edgy MD wrote: I'm going to guess "aPFwDT" is a Scott Boras' racquetball partner. I'm guessing that it's Scott Boras.

right, the racquetball partner (I miss racquetball btw, anyone want to play?) is probably a source "with knowledge of the situation" or "close to the negotiations"?

[Theoldmole]

Still like Flores.

[Ceetar]

TheOldMole wrote: Still like Flores.

you do now perhaps, but I wonder if it's 4/25 and he's made a handful of stupid errors or just plain missed balls..

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'd like to see them give Flores a shot too. If it gets to be April 25 and he's not getting it done, then you try someone else. I'd rather give him the chance to fail (and by doing so, the chance to succeed) than just say it won't work. WWDJD? (What would Davey Johnson do?) I bet he'd play Wilmer at shortstop.

[Edgy MD]

More often than not? I bet he wouldn't.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Maybe, maybe not. He'd sure give him a try though.

[Edgy MD]

Looks like a try is indeed what he's going to get.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's all I ask!

[Zvon]

FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING
HOLY GIVE THE BOY A TRY!

[MFS62]

But not with the big club:

Later

[Guest Mixtapewormhole]

Totally okay with giving Flores AAA SS reps and giving Tejada another chance to get himself together. Better option than trading a major league player for Alex Gonzalez, at least.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

That means one less potential landing spot for Drew!

(And welcome aBordick, new guy!)