The Situation at First Base
In Port St. Lucie, there is a “situation” — and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mike Sorrentino find his way into the mix.
Because “The Situation” — meaning the Mets’ conundrum at first base, and not some guido from the Jersey Shore — grows more perplexing every day.
Originally, first base was Daniel Murphy’s job to lose; if it weren’t, the Mets most certainly would have aggressively pursued free agents such as Adam LaRoche, Nick Johnson, Hank Blalock, Troy Glaus, Garrett Atkins, Chad Tracy, and Aubrey Huff (to name a few). Strangely enough, though, GM Omar Minaya brought in Mike Jacobs on a minor league deal, and on February 15th announced that the starting job was an “open competition”.
As is par for the course with the miscommunicating Mets, manager Jerry Manuel followed that up four days later with the assertion that Murphy was “pretty much the guy” at 1B — and that he wasn’t really in competition with Jacobs, nor was he going to platoon with Fernando Tatis.
The Situation at first base has been similarly clear (as mud) ever since, with the Mets changing their tune as quickly, often, and unpredictably as the weather.
For example, in response to Ike Davis’ explosive beginning to the spring, Manuel reaffirmed that Murphy was the first baseman, and that “unforeseen things would have to happen” to unseat him.
Nine days later, however, a different tune was sung by Manuel, as he termed 1B “a competitive situation” between Murphy and Jacobs.
That’s all well and good, except, if Murphy is to lose the first base job, I’m not sure why he’d lose it to Mike Jacobs, since neither player is having a particularly impressive spring — both are hitting FAR below the Mendoza Line (which means they’re under .200, kiddies).
In contrast, Ike Davis and Chris Carter are absolutely blistering the baseball — both hitting well over .400 with long-distance power, and both getting on base more than 50% of the time. The next-best candidate, in fact, is 8th-string catcher Chris Coste, who is 4-for-11 (.364) with 2 doubles.
To put things in more frightening perspective, consider that Frank Catalanotto has an equal number of RBI and walks as Murphy, and he’s hitting .100.
But spring training numbers don’t mean anything, right? Or wait, they must mean something, if Daniel Murphy has gone from owning the starting 1B job to on his way to losing it.
The confusion, of course, is if indeed spring training performance means something, then why is Murphy losing to Jacobs and not Davis, Carter, or Coste?
As if this situation at first isn’t already bordering on insanity, there are reports that the Mets are scouting Mike Lowell — though, they’re also reportedly “not interested”. What’s more perplexing to you? The fact that the Mets are sending scouts to see someone they don’t want, or that they are scouting yet another first baseman to add to an already bewildering mix?
The more I toss this “logic” around in my head, the more I realize that “The Situation” on the Jersey Shore makes as much sense as the first base situation in Port St. Lucie.
It is hard to argue for Murphy and Jacobs. Joe, I know you like the idea of Jacobs as a part time catcher, but I see a bad hitter and fielder, not Brandon Inge. Moreover Carter is equally as bad or better than Jacobs in the field and he still has some kind of upside. Murphy stayed healthy last year and works hard while being a hustler despite his shortcomings. To me Murphy has earned a shot at 1st base for this year to start. But I’m more than okay with Carter or Davis taking his place if he fails. Jacobs has no right to anything but a pink slip if he doesn’t start hitting.
AND the silver lining…Carter, Murphy (and technically Jacobs) can be stashed in the minors until a trade comes along. AND better yet if jake, murph or whoever dont hit out of the gate…
But the writing is there and the ist base job is really Ike’s…everyone else is just keeping it warm.
Aside from the 1B situation, the topic of Jose Reyes batting third was nearly chiseled into stone by Jerry earlier this Spring. Now? “I would probably see him getting a sense of comfort back in the leadoff spot right now,” said Manuel. Wouldn’t you know it, another flip-flop. I just hope Jerry stays on the ‘flop’ because Reyes belongs in no other spot in the order than leadoff, whether sick, healthy, injured, or comatose. Jerry even poked fun at himself with his constant mood swings: “Now you know me, I’ll change now. I’ll change on you now.” That’s right, Jerry, laugh at you own incompetence. Nobody does it better than you.
Aside from the 1B situation, the topic of Jose Reyes batting third was nearly chiseled into stone by Jerry earlier this Spring. Now? “I would probably see him getting a sense of comfort back in the leadoff spot right now,” said Manuel. Wouldn’t you know it, another flip-flop. I just hope Jerry stays on the ‘flop’ because Reyes belongs in no other spot in the order than leadoff, whether sick, healthy, injured, or comatose. Jerry even poked fun at himself with his constant mood swings: “Now you know me, I’ll change now. I’ll change on you now.” That’s right, Jerry, laugh at you own incompetence. Nobody does it better than you!
he gave murphy 1st base. but if Murphy then proceeds to hit .100 what can manuel do?
He put Pagan in the leadoff spot…that worked, but can Pagan hit as a #2?
Murphy finished up 2009 on a positive note and, regardless of how lost at the plate he looks this Spring, it’s just spring training. I take virtually no stock in statistics during the preseason. He’s earned at least the first shot at securing the first base job in 2010. We all know Ike Davis is the future, but at least if we play Murphy he has a chance at increasing trade value. If we ship him to AAA or relegate him to the bench he’s going to be completely worthless. Give him one last shot at making something of himself, and if he fails, then at least we can say we tried. Davis needs to go to AAA until he forces the Mets’ hand to call him up, and 20 or so impressive ABs in preseason games does not constitute a forcing of the hand. Tatis has to be on the roster because of his contract, and I’d go with Carter over Jacobs/Catalanotto because he has the brighter future of all 3 and has always hit at every level he’s played at. You know what Jacobs is (a very poor man’s version of Adam Dunn with less plate discipline and less versatility) and you know what Catalanotto is (singles hitting veteran with a mediocre glove). Carter is the unknown, and may develop into a very nice bench player and pinch hitter. I say give him the shot. He’s certainly earned it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYYZPnacWo&feature=related
Reyes should be 2 because even if Castillo does not get on Beltran or Wright can drive home Reyes from just about anywhere on the bases, regardless of what Castillo does ahead of him.
We’ve had these conversations before here and it’s also a hearty debate. But I always settle on the side of the fence that keeps Castillo at the top of the order. His career stats indicate he is uncomfortable batting ahead of the pitcher’s spot, and I’m inclined to believe he’s a more productive all-around #2 hitter than Reyes would be. I’d much prefer Reyes set the tone of the game with a triple or a single and SB than Castillo with an infield single or a groundout. That’s why I’d opt to stick with Reyes 1, Castillo 2.
Andy: some momentum, I concur. But Francooeur is struggling this spring, too. Does that mean start FMart in RF to begin the season? Chris Coste has been the hottest hitting cacther, do you start him behind the dish? Where does riding the momemtum end? And what if Murphy heats up in the final week of Spring? Do you pull a “Jerry” and flip-flop back to Murphy starting and Carter on the bench? I’m trying to stay consistent, and since I think Murphy earned the 1B gig with his August/September of ’09, I’m not going to let a 30 AB sample size in spring training take that away from him.
With a 12 man pitching staff along with the regular 8 starters, the bench would then be Blanco, Pagan, F!, Tatis and Cora.
As much as I believe Chris Carter deserves a shot over Jake, he most likely starts the season as part of an AAA outfield featuring himself, F!, Pridie, Evans and Jesus Feliciano.
With a 12 man pitching staff along with the regular 8 starters, the bench would then be Blanco, Pagan, F!, Tatis and Cora.
As much as I believe Chris Carter deserves a shot over Jake, he most likely starts the season as part of an AAA outfield featuring himself, F!, Pridie, Evans and Jesus Feliciano.
Personally I think Carter will win playing time with his bat either sooner or later. BUT that said I think Muph is a better player than he is showing to date.
Ditto Fmart. Just as Carter has been blocked by Youklis, So Fmart is blocked by CB. I am beginning to wonder if Fmart is not going to be traded (in a Cliff Lee type trade). Maenwhile rumors continue to swirl that sarge JR is being shopped…possibly to make room for Fmart. Consider history for the last 3 yrs the Mets have had Millz, Gomez et al to shuttle up and down shocasing them in NY but sending them to AAA (or the DL) periodically. I bet the same is slated for Fmart who the Mets want to assess (periodically) at the big club either as CB’s replacement or as trade bait.