If Shawn Green comes close to being the player he once was it would greatly enhance the Mets’ lineup. That’s “if.’’
What’s your comfort level on Green? They can’t trade him, so forget that right now. Would you make him a bench player and start Lastings Milledge or Ben Johnson over him or would you let him try to play his way back to form?
16 Comments
Green does make me nervous and although he may have “fixed” his swing, only time will tell if it will be enough to keep Milledge off of his heels. I don’t see any changes happening before the all-star break. I know it’s hard to justify benching someone they paid decent money for, but I can see that happening after the break, expecially the way Milledge and even Johnson have been playing this spring.
I am not enamored with Green, Milledge or Johnson. I think Milledge has had the best camp, followed closely by Johnson and then Green.
I am sick of hearing about Green’s hitting, the hitch, his new swing. Listen, it’s not his swing. It’s that he is 35 years old and he is not 22 anymore.
Of the 3, I would prefer to give Milledge the shot because he is young, much more speed and with a better arm in the OF. I think he can provide just as much power as Green could give us. However, I think we will see that Milledge may not live up to the high expectations that were set for him last year and in prior years. I can see 15-18 hrs and 65-70 rbis. Maybe 10-15 sb’s if he has a full time role.
As for Johnson, he should be on this roster too. Julio Franco has no business going north with this club. His time has come. Beltran doesn’t need his tutelage anymore. He is really clogging a bench spot for a better player (Johnson). Franco should move over to coaching and give the younger guy who is obviously more gifted at this point in his career a shot.
So—Milledge in RF, Green and Johnson on the Bench. Franco cut or a coach. Newhan has to make the team too….
Let’s do whatever it takes to push back Lasting’s eligibility for arbitration.
-SR
Platoon lastings and green.
You have to let Green at least start out the season. There’s a chance he can recapture some of his lost luster, so let it play out. A #7 hitter won’t be make or break this early in the season. If it works out, great, if not, you have other options at AAA (nameley milledge or johnson). It’s a lot better then bringing up milledge and having him underperform and having to send him back down.
Totally agree that Franco’s days are over, time to convert him to coaching. He’ll make a great coach.
As far as the outfield is concerned, I’d go with Green in the beginning and see how it goes. He can still regain his former stroke, he’s not that old. Also who knows how well Alou will hold up. With Johnson and Chavez backing up, with help from Newhan, the outfield should be OK. Milledge needs to play every day so should be sent down unless Green flops or Alou gets hurt.
If Green flops, he could be backup first baseman for Delgado and Milledge/Chavez cover right field. Johnson (if Franco taken off roster) and Newhan can back up Alou and be late inning replacements for defense.
I agree with Met Fan – Green deserves to start the season and show what he can or cannot do. Even though his numbers have been declining for some time, he will not be counted on the do much in the seventh or eighth slot other than not to be an automatic out and to make contact.
If he doesn’t shows of improvement over last season, then you think about platooning him with either Johnson or Milledge.
To those who would like to cut Franco I ask: Who will be the backup first-baseman in his absence? Recall that Delgado may miss the first week or so, and I don’t see anyone else in the organization who can fill in as capably as Franco (and yes, I’m including Carp and Abreu).
Someone will point out that Green can fill in at first, but is he really a much better option than Franco? Julio hit .273 in limited duty last year, while Green hit .257 for us playing every day. I don’t think it’s such a clear-cut choice. My guess is that we start the season with Franco and Green, but that that both players are not still on the roster come September 1.
I would be suprised if Green put up numbers that were even equal to last years. And if that’s the case, why not go with Milledge? I think Milledge could hit .260 or .270 with 15 homers and he clearly has better speed and defense.
Try comparing OBP and SLG instead of AVG.
OBP and RBI. those are the important stats.
I say start Green if only he is a vet.
Milledge has played well in the spring but let him take it away during the season. Don’t hand him the job. We are not a last place team. As corney as it may sound vets should prove they don’t belong.
This is a new year and perhaps Green is done, but let him prove he deserves to sit on the bench.
Dave
I don’t understand how the Mets can go into the season with an outfield of Alou-Beltran-Green. Neither Alou or Green are particularly athletic and Beltran will be worn out by July trying to cover balls in the gaps. On defensive ability alone Milledge trumps Green.
Dave, mega-Met dittos. The tie goes to the vet, especially if he’s due 6.5 mil. If LM outplays him between now and Mar 31st, LM should come north; what they do with Green then is not my problem.
I really like Steve C’s platoon idea. Surprised I haven’t heard anyone mention it before. Even if Green’s swing comes back, he’ll still struggle against lefties and the rest will probably help him since he seems to be wearing down as he ages. Plus, Milledge hasn’t proven he’s ready for a full-time role but having hit against lefties + filling in for Alou in left at times would get him enough playing time and at-bats to determine whether he’s a long-term answer in the outfield. If he struggles, Ben Johnson is available to replace him in that role.
I really like Steve C’s platoon idea. Surprised I haven’t heard anyone mention it before. Even if Green’s swing comes back, he’ll still struggle against lefties and the rest will probably help him since he seems to be wearing down as he ages. Plus, Milledge hasn’t proven he’s ready for a full-time role but having hit against lefties + filling in for Alou in left at times would get him enough playing time and at-bats to determine whether he’s a long-term answer in the outfield. If he struggles, Ben Johnson is available to replace him in that role. If Green struggles and Milledge excels, Milledge gets the full time role in right. If they both struggle, Johnson gets more of an opportunity.