Despite the outcome, yesterday was still a good day, the Mets played and baseball is back.
That being said, one thing long time readers know about me, I’m a big believer in the 7 run rule. If you score 5-6 runs in a game, you should win the game. If you score 7 or more runs in the game, then you really need to win the game.
The bullpen nearly holistically got off to a rough start. To pick and analyze them right now is not only premature but difficult. It involves a lot of players. I rather focus on something small the Mets could fix sooner rather than later: back up second base.
Maybe at some point Eric Young Jr. figures it out a second base enough to back up Murphy, but yesterday’s game showed the gigantic hole the Mets have if backing up second. Last year they could rely on Turner to troll with the bat and not be horrendous in the field. Part of the problem on the bench is the Mets are carrying three first basemen. (Satin is also a back up third basemen). The Mets need solid defense to have a shot this year (which is why I’m on team #StartLagares). Here are some quick changes the Mets could make to lower the defense errors /misplays on days when Murphy doesn’t play:
- Very Cheap Option: Go with Omar at Short and Tejada at Second. I think it’s a better look defensively than EYJr at Second. However this is a huge hit offensively for a marginally better defense
- Trade one of Davis or Duda, bring in (either by trade or signing) a short stop. Tejada is now back up second. Also Omar becomes unneeded.
- Send down Davis or Duda, bring in a back up Second Basemen
- Send down or release Omar, bring in someone who can play both Short and Second defensively. Offense not needed in this option
These are small changes that make the occasional off day for Murphy a lot more tolerable.
