OF/1B Russ Canzler was designated for assignment for the forth time this offseason, this time by the New York Yankees. What separates Canzler from, lets say Nick Evans, is the fact that he never clears waivers, explaining how he has gone from Cleveland to Toronto, back to Cleveland to the Yankees, all since last season ended. Last year, Chris Schwinden went on a similar path, being claimed by teams such as Toronto and the Yankees before returning to the Mets. The fact that the Mets outfield remains sub MLB quality, the Mets should have interest in the few available outfielders. And Canzler is no exception.
Canzler, as a major leaguer, has played the OF, 1B and 3B as well as DH. To get the defensive metrics fanatics' panties in a bunch, Canzler has not excelled as a defensive player. Not to get off topic, but I think it is crazy how fans who have so little to be excited about when it comes to their starting outfielders can be so picky when it comes to bringing anybody else aboard. As if every aspect has to be dissected about them, and the fan is trying to convince us that Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mike Baxter is the way to go. I am all for the competition, as I feel none of these players should be guaranteed a job.
Canzler has shown power as a minor league player for the last three seasons. In 2012 in AAA Columbus, he hit .265, 22, 79 splitting most of the time between 1B and LF. He played enough games at four positions in 2011, splitting time in LF, RF, 3B and 1B in AAA Durham for the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit .314, 18, 83 after hitting .287, 21, 66 for the Chicago Cubs AA affiliate in 2010. I would take a shot on him, even if it results in the Mets having to DFA a player to make room. Despite his high strikeout numbers (over 100 each of the past three seasons), his power could translate to the majors. In my opinion, he is a risk worth taking. Do I think he is a star? No, but he does have the ability to be a everyday MLB player. There is a reason he continues to get claimed on waivers every time he is DFA'd, but there is also a reason he continues to be DFA'd. None of the teams who have brought him in have a place for him to play at the major league level. This makes him expendable. It would make sense for the Mets to bring him into MLB camp and give him a roster spot. For now, since if another MLB transaction is made, Canzler can be the first player taken off the roster.
Canzler, as a major leaguer, has played the OF, 1B and 3B as well as DH. To get the defensive metrics fanatics' panties in a bunch, Canzler has not excelled as a defensive player. Not to get off topic, but I think it is crazy how fans who have so little to be excited about when it comes to their starting outfielders can be so picky when it comes to bringing anybody else aboard. As if every aspect has to be dissected about them, and the fan is trying to convince us that Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mike Baxter is the way to go. I am all for the competition, as I feel none of these players should be guaranteed a job.
Canzler has shown power as a minor league player for the last three seasons. In 2012 in AAA Columbus, he hit .265, 22, 79 splitting most of the time between 1B and LF. He played enough games at four positions in 2011, splitting time in LF, RF, 3B and 1B in AAA Durham for the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit .314, 18, 83 after hitting .287, 21, 66 for the Chicago Cubs AA affiliate in 2010. I would take a shot on him, even if it results in the Mets having to DFA a player to make room. Despite his high strikeout numbers (over 100 each of the past three seasons), his power could translate to the majors. In my opinion, he is a risk worth taking. Do I think he is a star? No, but he does have the ability to be a everyday MLB player. There is a reason he continues to get claimed on waivers every time he is DFA'd, but there is also a reason he continues to be DFA'd. None of the teams who have brought him in have a place for him to play at the major league level. This makes him expendable. It would make sense for the Mets to bring him into MLB camp and give him a roster spot. For now, since if another MLB transaction is made, Canzler can be the first player taken off the roster.
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