Can Heyward Play Center?

[Ceetar]

For Heyward to _really_ be worth the Mets going after him, he'd probably have to play center.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/jason-heyward-as-a-center-fielder/

August Fagerstrom suggests we shouldn't worry about it, he'd probably still be good there.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Can Sterlingpon Play Payward?

[Ceetar]

d'Kong76 wrote: Can Sterlingpon Play Payward?

probably.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Blinders on, Captain!

[Gwreck]

I think it's also key to remember as well that the Mets don't need to envision Heyward as a long-term centerfielder if they sign him; they need him to play there regularly for 2 years. When Granderson's contract is up, he can move back to right field.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, that would certainly seem like the way they would likely play it. And they can shift him to a corner for late inning defense while bringing in Laggy.

[Ceetar]

Gwreck wrote: I think it's also key to remember as well that the Mets don't need to envision Heyward as a long-term centerfielder if they sign him; they need him to play there regularly for 2 years. When Granderson's contract is up, he can move back to right field.

Then they'd have to replace him in center, while downgrading offense in right. That's not the ideal situation.

[dgwphotography]

I read the subject line, and immediately thought of Spencer Haywood.

I'm old.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I know this all fun and gigglely, but he's not on team paydar.

[A Boy Named Seo]

Ceetar wrote: Gwreck wrote: I think it's also key to remember as well that the Mets don't need to envision Heyward as a long-term centerfielder if they sign him; they need him to play there regularly for 2 years. When Granderson's contract is up, he can move back to right field. Then they'd have to replace him in center, while downgrading offense in right. That's not the ideal situation.

I don't think Heyward as a downgrade from Grandy is necessarily true now, let alone 2 years from now.

Would live to see Heyward in blue & orange next year, but there's zero chance of that happening, yall.

[Gwreck]

I don't mean to sound dense here, but why does everybody think that the Mets won't acquire him?

-Do we think that the baseball executives aren't smart enough to realize this is the right move?
-Or is it that we're still in a "believe it when we see it" mode with respect to how much money the Wilpons actually will spend?

[A Boy Named Seo]

Gwreck wrote: I don't mean to sound dense here, but why does everybody think that the Mets won't acquire him? -Do we think that the baseball executives aren't smart enough to realize this is the right move? -Or is it that we're still in a "believe it when we see it" mode with respect to how much money the Wilpons actually will spend?

For me, I guess more #2 than #1. I'm sure the execs know Heyward ticks a bunch of the boxes of the 'stuff we need' checklist, but I don't think they will go >$200M to get it. I think with the great pitching staff, they're content to lay a little low, and kinda figure out what we need in July again like last year.

Edit: Plus, I think our 'big get' this year is gonna be Zobrist and both are not happening, like at all, at all.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Also, I think they've explicitly said that their goal for the outfield is to get someone who can platoon with Juan Lagares. I guess things can change if the market doesn't develop as expected, but all indications are that the Mets don't plan to pursue Heyward at all.

[A Boy Named Seo]

Mets are maybe a little commitment averse and don't wanna hook with anyone for a long time. They just wanna pick up like they're on Tinder - easy breezy, playoffs & chill, 'cab fare's on the table by the door, honey'. (honey = Yoenis)

[Guest d'Kong76]

Gwreck wrote: -Or is it that we're still in a "believe it when we see it" mode with respect to how much money the Wilpons actually will spend?

It's always gonna be about money until they prove allegiance
to the team they own, and change how they run things.

They just sold an office building in Chicago for a huge profit. But
they're broke.

*clink*

[Guest d'Kong76]

But hey, we got a bigger screen tv last year and Coca-
Cola upgrade over Pepsi this year... that's something.

[Edgy MD]

The National League championship is pretty good, though.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I guess.

[Edgy MD]

d'Kong76 wrote: I guess.

Cheer up, Caspar. It's going to be OK.

[Guest d'Kong76]

It's Kasper, but thanks...

[Guest themetfairy]

With a K for strikeouts (like Zack Wheeler).

[Zvon]

When I close my eyes and think about Heyward, I see this memory. So yea.

[Ceetar]

I tend to agree that Zobrist was a better fit than Heyward, particularly because the primary deficit we're talking about is offense. Heyward just doesn't seem worth what he's going to get. I'd rather Justin Upton, who's a much better hitter, as long as we're talking outfielders.

But seeming like Fowler is the best fit for the Mets of those three outfielders.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Ceetar wrote: I tend to agree that Zobrist was a better fit than Heyward, particularly because the primary deficit we're talking about is offense. Heyward just doesn't seem worth what he's going to get. I'd rather Justin Upton, who's a much better hitter, as long as we're talking outfielders.

AHEM.

Career wRC+ average:
Heyward-- 118
Upton-- 121

OPS+, career:
Heyward-- 114
Upton-- 120

Heyward's apparently a superior baserunner, too (4.4 BsR career average to Upton's 3.4, 77% steal rate to Upton's 71%). So offensive value-wise, the matchup's not exactly a walkover. (Never mind the fact that Upton's career trends seem to be beginning their decline, while Hayward is holding steady/improving.)

[Ceetar]

Depends if you think Upton's on the decline I guess. Personally I don't think so, but it's not like I'm super enthused about Upton over Heyward, but if it's for a shorter deal and we're only talking corner? probably.

Heyward had some batted ball luck last year and was still not as good as Upton's worst year in 4 and Jason's best year was his rookie year so technically everything is decline since then. His K rates have dropped, but may have leveled out the last two yaers Maybe Petco is suppressing offense more than these park-adjusted stats account for?

[metsmarathon]

upton has more pop, but heyward has a higher average, and seems to currently be capable of sustaining a higher obp.

both project (using steamer projections on fangraphs) to be virtually identical in terms of aggregate offensive production next season, and heyward is younger.

upton is not a good defensive left fielder and has never played centerfield in the majors. heyward is a great defensive outfielder with tremendous range who can play centerfield, and apparently quite well in a small sample size.

I expect both to get comparable deals this winter. I expect heyward to be a better value. (and to be a far better value than cespedes)

of the top outfield candidates, heyward is also the best fit for the mets.

I really hope we can get him.

[Centerfield]

I'd be happy with any of the three.

But my preference order is Heyward, then Upton, then Cespedes.

[Centerfield]

The latest buzz is that the Cubs are in on Heyward.

They've already had a good winter in picking up Lackey and Zobrist. If they add Heyward to that team that won 97 games....

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Jon Heyman wrote: folks in lobby are suggesting 10-yr deal for jason heyward is very possible #cubs #cardinals #giants #angels #mystery team

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Jon Heyman wrote: folks in lobby are suggesting 10-yr deal for jason heyward is very possible #cubs #cardinals #giants #angels #mystery team

"folks in lobby"?

Fuck, if that's gonna start being a source I'm going down to Nashville (or is it DC next year?) and just make up crap in the lobby.