Play Zimmo in CF

[Centerfield]

I think they should try playing Zimmo in CF. From what I've seen, it doesn't seem like he's a big league centerfielder, but you have to try right?

We know what we have in Lagares. He can't hit for shit. Let's see if Zimmo can handle CF.

The power he showed last night was impressive. You start thinking that if he can develop a little pop, while maintaining that OBP, he could be something. But then I saw he hit only 4 HR's in LV.

Head scratcher.

[Edgy MD]

I agree. If the Mets accept my application to manage next season, I open the season with Nimmo and Lageres platooning between Céspedes and Conforto, and adjust from there. Obviously that becomes a more workable deployment if I get a good look at how he plays center now. He looks like a better athlete than Conforto to my eyes, if not necessarily a more skilled outfielder. That second part can change!

[Vic Sage]

Edgy MD wrote: I agree. If the Mets accept my application to manage next season, I open the season with Nimmo and Lageres platooning between Céspedes and Conforto, and adjust from there. Obviously that becomes a more workable deployment if I get a good look at how he plays center now. He looks like a better athlete than Conforto to my eyes, if not necessarily a more skilled outfielder. That second part can change!

that's exactly the way i'd do it, too. Nimmo looks like an ideal #2 hitter... LHed, patient enough to take pitches and let a leadoff hitter steal, runs ok, decent BA, great OB. Minimal power does less harm there, too.

[Centerfield]

All of these plans being predicated on his ability to play a decent CF. Which we should be finding out about RIGHT NOW!!!!

[Chad ochoseis]

I always thought that Zimmo in CF was Plan A for the future and Conforto was there only as a stopgap. Conforto's fine, but from what I've seen, he was a corner OF playing out of position. I haven't been watching enough lately to get a sense for Nimmo's fielding abilities, but he definitely seems to have the tools. We know what Lagares can do (go get 'em in CF and hit a soft .275); now is the time to experiment with Nimmo.

[ashie62]

I'm in.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

In this September of data collection? By all means. But to my mind, Nimmo seems like he couldt be a serviceable defensive CF... just not a good one. He's someone you could play there, but not someone who could be anything like a defensive asset... and his bat doesn't seem worth that liability in center. Honestly, I'd be fine with Lagares in between Ces and Conforto.

[Edgy MD]

That's why you use both, man. Nimmo against righties and Lagares against lefties and in late innings, perhaps with Nimmo sliding over to a corner to cover Céspedes. As long as folks stay healthy, it'll be brilliant.

Brilliant!

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Edgy MD wrote: That's why you use both, man. Nimmo against righties and Lagares against lefties and in late innings, perhaps with Nimmo sliding over to a corner to cover Céspedes. As long as folks stay healthy, it'll be brilliant.

I would like to give the Edgy Plan a try.

[Centerfield]

I don't get this at all. You sit Nimmo against the lefty because, well, I don't know. But then you play Aoki?

I really see no use to having Aoki out there at all. If left to me, I would:

1. Play Zimmo in CF. Reyes in LF (let's see if he can play out there at all) and Lagares in RF. If you want to throw Taijeron in once in a while and rest Jose, that's ok with me.

2. Play Cheech every day at 2B

3. Play Evans at 3B. Let's see what the kid can do.

4. Free the 'Weck! Give 2/3 of all starts to Kevin. Throw Nido out there a few times.

5. Pitch Gsellman out of the pen. Let's try it now and see how he reacts.

6. Cut Aoki. Seems like a good guy and a useful piece to have around and all, but he serves to confuse Terry. No way he should be getting this many AB's.

[Guest sharpie]

After these two Cubs games the Mets don't play any team that are competing for playoff spots. I think Terry will try to put the team he thinks is most likely to win games out there for the Cubs.

[Edgy MD]

Aoki is, as of today, not only (at least) the the team's third-best outfielder, but he's the leading candidate for the fifth outfield slot on opening day 2018.

Let Aoki live!

[nymr83]

yeah, the problem isn't Aoki's presence on the roster - he'd be a great 5th OF for a contender next year - the problem is hia overuse by a team that should be seeing what it has with younger players. this is on Terry.

[smg58]

I would happily make the argument that giving Nimmo the chance to face lefties is preferable to giving serious playing time to Travis Taijeron.

Given that it has been a while since Lagares played full time, though, I would like to see that he can handle it for an extended stretch without breaking down.

Nimmo's goal is to show the Mets he would make a better fourth outhfielder in 2018 than Aoki. The Mets could also use another righthanded outfielder, but he's not on the roster right now.

[seawolf17]

Gotta figure out what you've got for next year. You've got 17 games left or whatever:

The infield should be Smith/Cecchini/Reynolds(Rosario)/Evans(Flores), with Reyes and Cabrera getting maybe 6-8 more starts each wherever.
Your outfield should be Nimmo/Lagares/Taijeron, with Reyes spotted out there a half-dozen times or so.
Rotate the three catchers so you get Nido and Plawecki at least 3-5 starts each.

You know what you've got in Cabrera and Aoki.

[Frayed Knot]

I'm not sure there's much to be gained by a Reyes in the OF experiment going forward.
His hitting (85 OPS+) is barely acceptable as a reserve infielder at this point - and next year he's not necessarily available as a minimum wage player anymore.

[Chad ochoseis]

But a 115 OPS+ in the second half, over what's now a non-trivial sample size, with pop, switch-hitting skills, the ability to mentor an up and coming star, and some Metly sentimental value. I wouldn't break the bank for him in 2018, but if it turns out to be a choice between paying him $2M for a year and paying some generic bench player like Aoki $1.5M, give me Jose. If he can demonstrate some competence in the outfield, even better. And what better time than now to test those skills?

[Edgy MD]

I hear you, but I think that's a ticket that Terry crumpled up the last time he saw Reyes in the outfield.

[Frayed Knot]

I don't see this as an either/or between Reyes & Aoki as they're hardly interchangeable parts.
The thought about Reyes to the OF was to see if he could play CF as a counterpart to Lagares. But if Nimmo is going to be that guy then that leaves corner OF and Reyes there doesn't do much for me.
Even if we assume that his second half stats are closer to reality than the first (my assumption would be to split the difference and call it more like 100) that's certainly acceptable (at the right price) for
an all-purpose infielder who can still run a bit and play SS if needed, not so much for a fill-in corner OF.

Chad Ochoseis wrote: If he can demonstrate some competence in the outfield, even better. And what better time than now to test those skills?

Spring Training

[Centerfield]

If he's in spring training you've already signed him. Test him there now before making the commitment.

[Frayed Knot]

If you're going to sign Reyes for next year it's going to be with the intention of using him as an all-purpose IF/backup SS.
If he can also be an occasional sub in the OF that would be a (very minor) bonus but I can't possibly see that as his primary job nor do I have any faith that the final 20-some games are going to answer
the question about whether he can or can't.

[Benjamin Grimm]

My hunch right now is that either Cabrera or Reyes will return next year, but that it's unlikely that both will.

I think Cabrera is more likely.

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: If you're going to sign Reyes for next year it's going to be with the intention of using him as an all-purpose IF/backup SS. If he can also be an occasional sub in the OF that would be a (very minor) bonus but I can't possibly see that as his primary job nor do I have any faith that the final 20-some games are going to answer the question about whether he can or can't.

Sure, it would never be his primary job (do utility players have a "primary" job?) but it would be nice to know if he has that skill set or if he's lost out there. If you're choosing between Cabrera and Reyes maybe that's a factor that you throw in.

In any case, there's no harm in trying it. You aren't going to learn any more about Reyes's ability to play SS, or Aoki's ability to play OF.

I don't think the final 20 games will give you a definitive answer about his OF skills, but it certainly sheds light. I think a great way to see if he can play OF in Major League games is to watch him play OF in major league games.

[Centerfield]

Nimmo. .826 OPS.

For real?

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, he's for real. He could do better at situational hitting, but that's eggs-in-your-beer stuff. He's probably the team's best hitter right now. And with Granderson in LA, he's the only one left that's respecting the value of a walk.

But he should be leading off.

[Lefty Specialist]

Zimmo won't have a place in LF if Cespy comes back and he won't have a place in RF if Conforto comes back. He's not the greatest CF in the limited time I've seen him there, but of course comparing him to Lagares is almost unfair.

The Mets have a lot of pieces that almost fit. Nimmo. Lagares. Flores. Rivera. They're good but flawed players in one way or another. And they don't quite fit smoothly to make a complete team.

[Edgy MD]

You're right.

Of course, that's why God made platoons. Two guys can help round off each other's rough edges.

[Frayed Knot]

The biggest problem with Nimmo to date is that he's selective at the plate to a fault sometimes.
At this point I've lost rack of how many times he's tossed the bat aside on a 3-2 pitch ready to head to 1st only to be called out on a borderline -- or sometimes not so borderline -- pitch.
It's not a fatal flaw, or at least it shouldn't be as he gains more experience and learns that you can't always let those pitches go with runners on base while thinking that a walk is the best possible outcome.

With Conforto quite likely not ready to start the season there should be plenty of opportunity for both him and Lagares to get regular playing time as they are now.
How this all works out once Conforto comes back remains to be seen, but I'm perfectly comfortable with a Nimmo/Lagares platoon in CF and there will always be the inevitable injuries, days-off, and other
opportunities for both to get playing time if and when they earn it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm virtually certain that the Mets will acquire an outfielder from outside the organization this winter. Who fits into what role will be a bit clearer once that happens.

[Edgy MD]

I'm not as certain. At least, not necessarily a starter.