Serious Question

[Centerfield]

Why is Eric Campbell getting the AB's over Matt Reynolds? I get that we need a RH hitter now that Flores is hurt, but last I checked, Reynolds meets this criteria.

Reynolds is a better hitter (.671 OPS vs. .537) and a better fielder. Also has more pop.

But Reynolds hasn't had an AB since the Minnesota series. Campbell, has 8 AB's in that same stretch. To his credit, Campbell has picked up 3 hits during those 8 AB's (all singles).

But if you are managing, you call Reynolds number before Campbell no?

[Ceetar]

Reynolds is the salad and Collins prefers soup.

[Guest sharpie]

Reynolds did play and bat in the first game of the Phillies series.

Also thinking that with Cabrera banged up Terry wants to keep him in reserve to play the field if need be.

[TransMonk]

sharpie wrote: Also thinking that with Cabrera banged up Terry wants to keep him in reserve to play the field if need be.

This was my first thought. Holding him back in case his D is needed?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

One of Soupy's starts was at first base, where Reynolds is not a real option, so you ought to be asking if a lefthanded SS or 2B started when he didn't, which I don't think happened.

I also don;t think the Mets are making day-to-day lineup choices on season-to-date OPS, I think the "sample size" is actually much smaller -- How'd he look in BP? How was his last AB? -- and for bench guys especially their season OPS is a reflection of how judiously they've been used not the other way around.

[Centerfield]

sharpie wrote: Reynolds did play and bat in the first game of the Phillies series. Also thinking that with Cabrera banged up Terry wants to keep him in reserve to play the field if need be.

That's a very good point. That makes sense.

[seawolf17]

It's because Terry has Campbell on his fantasy team.

[Edgy MD]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I also don;t think the Mets are making day-to-day lineup choices on season-to-date OPS, I think the "sample size" is actually much smaller -- How'd he look in BP? How was his last AB? -- and for bench guys especially their season OPS is a reflection of how judiously they've been used not the other way around.

I think there's also macro-data that gets taken into account. Campbell has a track record as a big league performer (even if you have to go back to 2014 to find success), and Campbell outhit Reynolds in Las Vegas this season (and last season too).

But yeah, I think it's more about not wanting to burn Reynolds' defensive utility on a pinch-hitting appearance if you don't have to. Same reason you are reluctant to burn your backup catchers in pinch-hitting assignments.

[Vic Sage]

Assuming for a moment that we have a post-season to play, which (if either) of these guys should make the post-season roster?

TJ Rivera has played his way into being the primary 2bman, with Johnson the primary LHed IFer, deAza and Lagares in the OF, and R.Rivera behind the plate. But given Flores' ongoing injury situation,, there is a need for a RHed hitting IFer. Since Reyes and TJ both can back up Cabrera at SS, Reynolds' glove at that position is less critical, and with Campbell's better resume' as a hitter, and his experience at 1b, he may be the one. Also, now that Duda is back, is there any room for Loney? I don't think so, unless we go with an 11-man pitching staff. On second thought, I guess we could do that, with one of the starters likely going into the pen. Welcome back Loney!

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, the Mets have a lot of post-season roster questions. A pile of them. It'll probably make a nice thread once they clinch. They may not have a lot of high-end performers, but their depth right now is demonstrably impressive. The October Surprise/Melvin Mora/Timo Perez character on this team would be Nimmo, and there's no way they can find room for him.