On the eve of the first Intrasquad game of the season, heading into the 31 games in March, the Mets battles are starting to take shape. For the most part the Mets roster is set, with a group of players that positions to lose. Here’s the break down:
Centerfield: Center is not so much a battle in spring as it will be later on in the season. Torres will have the position heading out of camp, but if he doesn’t perform at his top game, then Spring becomes really important for players like Captain Kirk and Matt Den Dekker. Both players, barring an amazing spring, will not break camp with the Mets but after April, when the Mets would get an extra year of team control, could break to get some major time in the major leagues. Eyes will be on these three players this Spring.
Bullpen: The Bullpen is always an area of competition in the spring. The players that will be in the pen are Francisco, Rauch and Ramirez. Byrdak will be in the pen, and I have a feeling Beato will also be there. That means for the rest of the pitchers, its open competition for the remaining spots, including Carrasco, Parnell, Acosta, Carson and others. The Mets will be looking specifically for a pitcher who could be the swingman from the rotation to the pen.
What is unique about this Spring is the bench spots are pretty much set, in that the players trying to push in are mainly prospects, who would benefit from consistent playing time in the minors in the first. Spring remains really important for these players because when the Mets have to call up players for depth, that is when the spring impressions come into play.
The battles this spring are really personally battles within the players. Are certain players going to return to either their old form or rise to the expectations of their development:
- Will Santana be effective and healthy?
- Will Ike bounce back with power?
- Will Bay keep September going?
- How will Duda develop?
- Can Murphy return with the same hitting ability?
- Will Wright fully come back this season?
- Will the rotation hold up? Is there any depth to step up?
All of these answers and more coming up this month?
