The New York Mets cleared plenty of roster room by outrighting several players they didn't see as part of the team's future including 1B Nick Evans. They needed to with the amount of players they had to protect by putting them on the 40 man roster so they wouldn't be exposed to next week's rule 5 draft. Pitchers Jeurys Familia and Rob Carson, INFs Reese Havens and Wilmer Flores, and OFs Juan Lagares, Cesar Puelo and Kirk Nieuwenhuis were all added to the Mets 40 man roster yesterday.
With the chance of the Mets losing FA SS Jose Reyes growing by the day, I have been wondering why so much discussion has been had about when Havens and Flores can reach the majors. In the right scenario, you may want to see Flores play another full season, probably at AA next year. A natural SS, Flores may be more suited to play 3B which doesn't bode well for him as the team still has David Wright. But Flores has the skills, particularly with his bat, to flourish in the major leagues, and the question remains when he should come to Queens. Maybe the organization is waiting for his power to develop ( only 9 HR, 26 2B in 133 games for A St. Lucie last year despite 81 RBI) before estimating his arrival to the majors. Could he play 2B? Talk continues to be that he will end up a corner infielder. Since he has a full spring training with the team this year, I wonder if he will get a look at 2B, as well as 3B and SS. May be a good idea to check out.
As far as Havens is concerned, remember he was taken in the same first round of the draft Ike Davis was taken in. Havens may be a major leaguer by now if not for his injury issues. In my opinion, if Reyes does sign elsewhere, I see Havens getting the opportunity to win the 2B job in spring training. The fact that Havens finished the 2011 season healthy, for the most part, by playing the majority of the games for Binghamton down the stretch is a sign that he may be over his injury woes. (knock on wood) He only played 32 games in 2010, but showed the ability to hit at the AA level last season. .455 SLG with 15 2B and 6 HR in just 211 AB showed that he is ready to move on from AA. I think Daniel Murphy would get the first chance, along with Justin Turner, to win the job. Havens getting the full spring training will give him the chance to shine. His quick bat may open some eyes this year and maybe he will be in Flushing instead of in Buffalo, re-united with Wally Backman.
With the chance of the Mets losing FA SS Jose Reyes growing by the day, I have been wondering why so much discussion has been had about when Havens and Flores can reach the majors. In the right scenario, you may want to see Flores play another full season, probably at AA next year. A natural SS, Flores may be more suited to play 3B which doesn't bode well for him as the team still has David Wright. But Flores has the skills, particularly with his bat, to flourish in the major leagues, and the question remains when he should come to Queens. Maybe the organization is waiting for his power to develop ( only 9 HR, 26 2B in 133 games for A St. Lucie last year despite 81 RBI) before estimating his arrival to the majors. Could he play 2B? Talk continues to be that he will end up a corner infielder. Since he has a full spring training with the team this year, I wonder if he will get a look at 2B, as well as 3B and SS. May be a good idea to check out.
As far as Havens is concerned, remember he was taken in the same first round of the draft Ike Davis was taken in. Havens may be a major leaguer by now if not for his injury issues. In my opinion, if Reyes does sign elsewhere, I see Havens getting the opportunity to win the 2B job in spring training. The fact that Havens finished the 2011 season healthy, for the most part, by playing the majority of the games for Binghamton down the stretch is a sign that he may be over his injury woes. (knock on wood) He only played 32 games in 2010, but showed the ability to hit at the AA level last season. .455 SLG with 15 2B and 6 HR in just 211 AB showed that he is ready to move on from AA. I think Daniel Murphy would get the first chance, along with Justin Turner, to win the job. Havens getting the full spring training will give him the chance to shine. His quick bat may open some eyes this year and maybe he will be in Flushing instead of in Buffalo, re-united with Wally Backman.
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