For the last three years the Mets have used a 13/12 (positional/pitcher) split for most of the season, which breaks down to a five man bench and seven relievers. But the pen has carried an extra reliever because of uncertainty with the pitching staff, both with how deep the starters will go and what they will get out of the relievers. If the starters look like they can regularly give at least six innings and six relievers appear lights out they maybe willing to carry one less reliever however they have seven in camp who are out of option. To start the year the Mets maybe able to carry an extra bench player because after the first week they only need four starters, Redding could be used for a start and then moved into the pen with Garcia joining the team in May. For this post I'm going to consider the bench to be consisting of five players with four of those positions already filled by; Marlon Anderson, Fernando Tatis, Ramon Castro and Alex Cora. Here is a closer look at the players in camp vying for that last spot or hoping to impress the coaching staff enough to carry an extra player.....
Angel Pagan- the former Mets prospect was sold to the Cubs and then bought back two seasons later. The 28 y/o switch hitter is under control and has options. Last year Pagan was the story of spring training and he hit .275 in 30 games before separating his shoulder diving for a ball, against left handed pitching he hit .250 and right handers .298. OUTLOOK: If he shows he can hit, that last year wasn't a fluke and the others remain strictly defensive specialists the job will be his to lose.
Cory Sullivan - signed a major league contract with the Mets in January but still has options this year. The 29 y/0 left handed hitting outfielder was the starting center fielder for the Rockies in 2005-2006 until he lost his job as the Rockies looked for more offense. Since then he's been a weak hitting defensive specialist who last year was barely used in the majors (18 gms). In 927 major league at bats he has a lifetime BA .279, OBP .330 and Slg. .391. Reportedly Mets scouts are high on this guy for his defense which is why they signed him to a major league deal to beat out the competition. OUTLOOK: I don't think they'll get his bat going in spring training and will work on him in AAA, if Beltran's quads become an issue he'll get the call to play center field.
Jeremy Reed - came over in the Putz trade, he was a super two player this year so is under control for four more seasons and has options this year. The 27 y/o left hander was a top prospect in both the White Sox's and Mariners organizations. Originally a 1B he was moved to center field, his bat made him a top prospect but in the upper levels of the minors he struggled to hit left handed pitching. In 2005 he broke into the majors as the Mariners starting center fielder but it was his glove not his bat, suddenly Reed was a weak hitting standout fielder. He now plays all three outfield positions and firstbase, lifetime BA .257, OBP .314 and Slg. .365. OUTLOOK: I think He'll start the year in the minors and will be the first call-up for the corners or as a back-up but Sullivan will beat him out if it's Beltran who goes down.
Robinson Cancel - 33 y/o righthanded catcher hit .245 in 27 games last year filling in for Castro and Schneider. There's been some reports Manuel would like to carry three catchers so he could use Castro as a pinch hitter. However, when he had three catchers last year he never used one as a pinch hitter and I can't see how they would fit the extra catcher other then through April. OUTLOOK: waiting for the inevitable Castro to get injured so he can be recalled.
Nick Evans - the last of the guys already on the 40 man roster, top prospect who is still in his first service year. The 23 y/o prospect had mixed results last year in the majors, in 50 games he hit .257 and seemed much more comfortable when his AA teammate Murphy was up with him. OUTLOOK: He'll start the year in AAA while they figure out a position for him, but if the team needs a right handed bat he could get recalled.
The rest of the players are all major league veterans but are in camp on minor league deals with invites to major league camp. The 40 man roster currently has 37 players, which includes Wagner ( who will be on the 60 day DL and replaceable) and O'Day ( rule V) who will probably be returned. I didn't give a brief on some of the invites as they don't appear to have even the slightest chance....
Bobby Keilty - 32 y/o switch hitter, excellent defensive outfielder and 1B. Great teammate, clubhouse figure and clutch hitter. Has to show that his hand has fully recovered, he could emerge as the right handed power bat. Lifetime BA .254 but as a righty hits .296. OUTLOOK: he could be the surprise of camp as a right hander off the bench but needs to prove he's healthy and beat out Pagan/Reed
Rob Mackowiak -32 y/o left handed hitter who plays every position except catcher. At one point with the Pirates his career looked promising, now versatility is all he has. Lifetime BA .259, Slg. .404 and OBP .332. Omar promised Buffalo a competitive team and I think part of that is Mackowiak. OUTLOOK: see you in Sept. enjoy up-state NY
Ramon Martinez - 36 y/o right hander did a solid job at the end of the year when Castillo was benched and probably returned hoping for the same chance. In seven games last year he hit .250 and is a lifetime .264, the last few years his career has been slowed by hand injuries but it appears he's recovered. OUTLOOK: If Castillo fails and they DL him, Cora would be the starter with Martinez, who can play short as the back-up.
Jose Valentin - 39 y/o switch hitter, is better for average from the right side but has more power from the left. He has to prove he's healthy and has anything left, I think he's in camp as a mentor and to be a player/coach for the younger players. It's beyond a long shot for him to make it but you couldn't ask for a better guy to have in the clubhouse. OUTLOOK: Player/coach in AAA.
Andy Green - 32 y/o right handed utility player, AAAA type player with 226 major league at bats over a three year period with the D-Backs, lifetime BA .199. He can play every position except catcher, he must like the organization because it would be an incredible longshot for him to ever make it out of Buffalo. OUTLOOK: AAA player
Ed Ryan's excellent blog, Metsfever, where this was originally published, can be found at: http://metsfever.blogspot.com/
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