Shortstop 2015

[Edgy MD]

Just saw a note that said Rollins blocked a trade to the Metskills.

If true, that's a pretty exclusive club. The Larkin Bunch.

[Frayed Knot]

It's not clear how far along Rollins trade talks were. In the reports I read it sounded more like the Mets were just kicking the tires when Rollins put a premature end to anything by saying he had no intention of waiving his 10/5 rights. He wouldn't have been terrible as a one-year stop-gap (depending on the price of course) but I'm kinda glad this idea got squashed before it ever took off no matter how close it might have been.

Going back to the Larkin deal, wasn't there a deal there that was all completed and just needing his approval when he turned it down?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Ship may well have sailed but I was into this idea last spring. Most of the opposition is emotional bullshit over those "team to beat" remarks which were totally OK by me if potentially dangerous for Rollins. Great player who could have been better than the guys we used there last season.

[MFS62]

So, of all the options being identified, the guys who can hit may not be able to play short or have been moved to other positions by their current teams. We have one of those - Flores.
And the guys mentioned who can field may not be able to become good hitters at the major league level. We have a few of those - Majia, Tovar.
So, why give up a decent asset to just keep treading water or provide marginal improvement?
Unless the Mets can acquire a real difference maker, why do anything?
Let's keep Flores at short and see if his improvement in the field was just short-sample related or something really improved by that time he spent at that special workout camp last year.
Sometimes, the best moves you can make are no moves at all.
And Sandy agrees:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/80754/alderson-flores-at-shortstop-not-dead

Later

[Edgy MD]

Alderson agrees that sticking with Flores is an authentic option --- one they might choose if a better alternative doesn't open up. I think most of us would agree, but that's hardly a deep commitment.

I don't agree that he demonstrated a particular facility at short. I have nothing to compare it to, but if that was improvement, I'm not impressed.

Who is "Majia"?

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: Who is "Majia"?

He split his time between the brain fart and typo leagues last year. Meant Tejada.

Later

[Guest sharpie]

That article reads like it was written during last off-season. Also had a January 30 date.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yes it is an old article. You lazy guys and your lazy Rubening.

[MFS62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Yes it is an old article. You lazy guys and your lazy Rubening.

(slapping forehead)
Didn't have to search too far.
Those bastages at Yahoo sports linked to it this week like it was new.
The Flores 2013 stats should have been a giveaway, too.

Later

[Vic Sage]

If they don't make a move for a leadoff-hitting SS, then who leads off for this team?

* EY? He's not going to start, or even play that much (barring injury);
* Lagares? Lacks discipline, so doesn't get on enough. And he lacks base-stealing instincts;
* Murphy? Maybe. He gets on ok (at least with his BA), and can run OK, and his lack of HR power is less of a problem. But he still doesn't take enough BBs to earn a high OB%. Plus, Terry won't do it, because Murph doesn't LOOK like a leadoff hitter;
* The best OB% guys in the lineup are probably Wright and Duda, but Terry's certainly not going to bat them leadoff either;
* Granderson? I suppose. He can still run, and he will take a BB, and HR power in a leadoff hitter is a nice add-on, but he's been a better hitter further down in the lineup throughout his career, and more productive, too, where his low BA and solid power are more useful than it is hitting behind the pitcher at the top of the order..

In other words, we need a leadoff-hitting SS.

[Centerfield]

If Murphy gets traded, Dilson Herrera looks kinda leadoffy.

Or we could get that SS from Toronto. The one with the big contract they are probably looking to unload.

[Centerfield]

You know, I wonder if the Reyes possibility is not just a pipe dream. They have a need at second base and have been said to have inquired about Chase Utley and Cole Hamels.

Daniel Murphy doesn't have the same star power, but compare his numbers last year and he is almost identical to Utley (.746 OPS vs. .734). Plus Murphy plays at CitiFiedl. Throw in ill-tempered Jon Niese and his team-friendly contract, and maybe the Jays pick up some of the money owed to Reyes.

Plus, he's got only 3 guaranteed years left, and is 31 years old.

Maybe?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Centerfield wrote: If Murphy gets traded, Dilson Herrera looks kinda leadoffy.

There y'are. Great eye, good hit tool... should be a good one, too. (At least until Nimmo comes up.)

[Centerfield]

On the other hand, maybe Reyes is not that great an idea.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2199168-toronto-blue-jays-why-the-team-should-look-to-trade-jose-reyes

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Tracky sez while Xander Boegarts is unlikely, Red Sox might part with their next SS prospect, Deven Marrero, in a deal for pitching.

Marrero is a 2012 1st round pick who hit OK (good batting average & stealing, OK obp, little power) until struggling across the board in his first taste of AAA Pawtucket last season.

[ashie62]

I like Gregorious better.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Tracky sez while Xander Boegarts is unlikely, Red Sox might part with their next SS prospect, Deven Marrero, in a deal for pitching. Marrero is a 2012 1st round pick who hit OK (good batting average & stealing, OK obp, little power) until struggling across the board in his first taste of AAA Pawtucket last season.

That '14 sure does look like a hiccup in context. And those on-base skills. And those scouting reports. Hmm. Hmm.

[Edgy MD]

Seems to suggest not-readiness, though, don't it? He'd be behind Matt Reynolds.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

There's safety-- or, at least, more safety-- in numbers. More potential, anyway. Or, at least, potential potential.

[Edgy MD]

Sure, but at what price comes that redundancy? AT WHAT PRICE?!!

They've got three or four shortstops of the future right now. Not so clear on the shortstop del presente.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Another possibility from Boston's minor leagues: Garin "Older Brother" Cecchini. Not a SS, but an infield (3B/2B) prospect and potential "good fit." Definitely blocked now that Panda is in Boston.

[Edgy MD]

Oooh, add Chase d'Arnaud and let the two brothers compete for slots. Should create some real bitter competitive tension in the clubhouse.

[Edgy MD]

Twittererer says Gregorius has just become a Yankee.

[Vic Sage]

shit

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: Twittererer says Gregorius has just become a Yankee.

I wonder what Sterling's home run call will be.
Gregorius is gorgeous?

Later

[Ceetar]

MFS62 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Twittererer says Gregorius has just become a Yankee. I wonder what Sterling's home run call will be. Gregorius is gorgeous? Later

provided he hits one.

[Edgy MD]

THE NOTORIOUS GREGORIUS!! A BB BY DIDI!!

[metsmarathon]

it is high. it is far. it is gone!!! didi did it! a home run from gorgeous, gregarious, gregori...uh... the shortstop settles under it for the second out.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

The Tigers have dealt pitcher Robbie Ray to the Arizona Diamondback in exchange for New York Yankees pitcher Shane Green, Fox Sports baseball writers Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi reported Friday, citing sources.

The three-team deal will also send shortstop Didi Gregorius to the Yankees and a minor-leaguer to be named from Detroit to Arizona, Rosenthal reported.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I guess when a team needs a shortstop, they go out
and get a shortstop!