Considering Willie Randolph was a second baseman, it’s odd the Mets have had no stability at his tenure at the position. Mostly, it’s because Kaz Matsui busted here. A look at the Mets’ second base roll call under Willie:
1. Jose Valentin
2. Damion Easley
3. Ruben Gotay
4. David Newhan
5. Chris Woodward
6. Kaz Matsui
7. Anderson Hernandez
8. Miguel Cairo
9. Marlon Anderson
10. Jose Offerman
If I’ve overlooked anybody, please let me know.
15 Comments
Jeff Keppinger, maybe? I can’t remember if he’s gotten any playing time with the Mets during Willie’s tenure. Maybe not. I know he wasn’t promoted at any point last year before being traded for Gotay, and he was injured most of the year before, so he probably hasn’t been with the Mets since 2004, but he was at least in the mix the past 2 years even if he was never promoted. If not for the injury in 2005, though, there’s no doubt he would have gotten some time with the Mets.
Marlon Anderson—although, he only played 45 innings at the position.
Does Newhan really count? He was a bench guy who only played second to give a starter a rest. Its like saying Chris Woodward was a Met third baseman.
Newhan has only played one game at second base, so nah, I don’t think so.
I have to agree with Dan.
I think Easley played well when he did play.
Gotay has been playing well and bat production is good. but it took me time but i saw Easley as a better alternative to no Valentin.
I don’t count David Newhan as a major league baseball player, let alone a second baseman.
2B is by far the weakest position in the majors right now, just like SS used to be 10-20 years ago. It would be nice if the Mets could develop one from within, but even looking back at this years draft there just wasn’t much to choose from for anyone. There were only 58 chosen overall out of 1,400 plus players, and none until the middle of the second round. Not everyone has a Chase Utley, and the Phillies didn’t give him the job full time until he was 27….
Reyes never played 2B under Willie. That was the previous regime, the same one that sent him to the hamstring specialist (what the hell is that?), and tried to change the way he ran. People who didn’t suffer through 2003-2004 don’t realize how much all of that affected is development, and how amazing it is that he’s recovered from it so well. Omar and Willie were the first ones to put him at SS and keep him there when he struggled. Thank God they didn’t listen to all of the fans who said he’s never learn how to take a pitch or a walk…
Seeing that reyes was a 2bmen sends shivers up my spine
I don’t know if you missed anyone but Alfonzo is playing on the Island for Buddy Harrelson and the Ducks. Maybe Buddy will lend him to us so we can have one more washed up second baseman.
The other thing here is that Anderson Hernandez didn’t work out at all.
Reyes never played second base under Willie Randolph.
Posted this John on 12/19/06
http://metsfever.blogspot.com/2006/12/second-base.html
As much as I appreciate Jose’s performance last year I believe it will be difficult for him to repeat. Jose appears to have had a career year and is now a year older. His lifetime BA is actually 243% and he struggles against lefties batting only .191%. I would prefer to see him in the role that he was originally signed for as a utility player. I think that Jose’s struggles early on last year were not due to his role but from rust and a lack of confidence which was a result of his two prior injury shortened seasons. I also feel that he could be kept fresh by more regular use in a variety of fielding position as a super sub. David Wright struggled at the plate towards the end of the season and it appeared that he could have benefited from more rest going into the Playoffs. But with Chris Woodward as the utility player batting a mere .221% and showed limited range at third base Wright’s rest was limited. The same could be said for Delgado since it appears Franco is becoming less of a fielder and more of a pinch hitter/coach. Despite the present concerns unless the Mets make a sudden trade or sign a free agent Jose will again be the full time second basemen. There are only two quality free agent second basemen left, Mark Loretta and Ron Belliard both of which the team has shown only limited interest.
This is purely speculation on my part but there maybe another concern that has not been addressed. Willie Randolph was a great second basemen and is only in his third year as a major league manager. It has been said that many great players have difficulty transitioning into coaches/managers because of their expectation levels. Willie has yet to manage a quality veteran at the position he played. Jose Valentin over achieved while filling in at a position that he had limited experience at. Could there be concerns over Willie being too tough on a veteran second basemen or might he want to develope a young player in his own mold. There are two such players currently in the farm system Anderson Hernandez and Ruben Gotay. Only spring will tell whether all these questions surrounding second base will be answered.
Randolph played with a lot of shortstops in his career. Maybe he doesn’t see it as a problem not to have a regular DP partner.
Before the injury I thought Valentin was playing pretty well, both at the plate and the field.
As someone said above Anderson Hernandez has not panned out. Perhaps the switch killed his bat, perhaps not.
So that leaves Gotay. He has not played enuf to say yeah or nay. Also Valentin has hit well enuf this week so perhaps we are a bit early in putting RIP above his head.
But yes, 2b is unsettled with the Mets if Valentin is not here. And he is old so they got to get with it in finding someone else.
Dave
I forgot about Jose 0-for-5erman