Friday, June 19, 2015

Who is more of the problem Terry or Wilmer?

The New York Mets just lost a gut crushing 2-1 game against the Atlanta Braves. A game where Jacob DeGrom was in cruise control until the 8th inning. With the Mets winning 1-0 in the bottom of the 8th, he gave up a lead off double.  A sacrifice bunt was laid down next, that DeGrom could have handled easily but, Tejada abandoned third to try to make a play. As a result Simmons, who doubled, was able to get to third and DeGrom barely got the throw to first base for the first out. The play that ultimately cost the Mets the game came next. DeGrom was able to get the next batter to hit the ball to a drawn in Flores at shortstop. Flores looked back Simmons at third for what felt like forever, then double tapped his glove before he threw to first. The ball didn't make it in time and that allowed for runners to now be on first and third with one out instead of having two outs. Terry Collins took DeGrom out after that and the Mets bullpen, more specifically Sean Gilmartin, proceeded to give up a double and the lead. That would prove to be enough for the Braves who went on to beat the Mets in excruciating fashion again after beating them in a game last week in a similar way.
The New York Mets ultimately have to decide is this experiment with Flores really worth it? He is always a step slow on balls up the middle and they just haven't been able to turn double plays no matter how much effort they exert. Flores has made some flashy places at times and he does lead the team with 10 homeruns and 32 RBIs but that doesn't take away from the fact that his glove has cost the Mets more than his bat has helped. All those extra pitches the Mets starters have had to throw, because of his bad defense, has cost them to go to a mediocre pen earlier then they should. Ruben Tejada is a much more reliable shortstop and although he doesn't hit for the same power that Flores has displayed thus far, he has been a solid bat. Flores, with his limited range might actually flourish by playing at third where he won't have to range as much as he does at shortstop. It seems like this should be the logical choice but the Mets seem enamored with leaving Flores to continue to struggle at short until he gets it right. Which may never happen.
Terry Collins knows if this team doesn't compete all the way until the end of the season he will not be coming back. He has tried to push all the right buttons, but this clearly cannot continue. Teams who are light hitting can get by with strong defense. You cannot, however, be a light hitting team who commits errors every night. That is just a formula for disaster. The Mets have been fortunate that they have been able to stay competitive but they need shore up the defense. The trickle down effect of better defense would be that the young stud pitchers they send out there almost everyday will be able to go deeper in games and the bullpen won't be asked to hold on to 1 run leads for more than an inning or two.
The Mets should've signed a shortstop this offseason and made Flores a utilityman off the bench. That would have provided depth in the infield and strengthened their bench. They chose not to do that. Now they won't take him out of a position he continues to butcher. Tuesday marks the return of Daniel Murphy who will only further complicate things because he isn't a very good fielder either and will more than likely have to play third. This will force Tejada, the better fielder out of the three to the bench. Terry had better take a long look at that defense or else he will be looking for another job because of it.

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