I know a lot of people have been wondering what the line-up will look like when Beltran returns on Thursday. Here are my proposed line-ups for RHP or a LHP. Manuel announced Beltran will hit 4th upon return. I don't think he will provide the power that's expected of a clean-up hitter, but I like the balance he will provide there, so I put him there versus RHP. In ideal conditions, I think C Beltran is a 2-hitter, but with his lack of speed after the surgery I don't know how well he will fit there.
As far as the rotation of Beltran, Pagan and Francoeur, here is my stance. Pagan needs to play 6-7 games a week. Beltran needs to play as much as his knee can tolerate, so that may be 4-5 games a week. That leaves J Francoeur to get 1-2 starts a week, preferably versus left-handed pitchers.
RHP
J Reyes SS
A Pagan RF (hitting .333 vs RHP)
D Wright 3B
C Beltran CF
I Davis 1B
J Bay LF
J Thole C (hitting .563 RHP; yes it's a small sample size)
L Castillo 2B
LHP
J Reyes SS
A Pagan/C Beltran
D Wright 3B
J Bay LF
I Davis 1B
J Francoeur/Beltran
R Barajas C
R Tejada 2B
In order to make these moves, the Mets already optioned Jesus Feliciano down to AAA, and the Mets will need to make a decision between J Thole and H Blanco. I no longer know Blanco's role on this team besides a good clubhouse presence, and think Thole can provide a better offensive line-up and actually help the team win ball-games. F Tatis needs to stay on the DL to allow N Evans to be the primary right-handed hitter off the bench, and keeping C Carter as the primary left-handed PH. That will allow 11 pitchers. If it's essential to carry 12 pitchers, then a roster decision comes down to who do you view as more valuable: Cora, R Tejada or C Carter. You guys know who I would vote off the island, but R Tejada may be the weakest link to see if he can improve offensively.
Agree or disagree? What would you guys do with the line-up/roster management?
Monday, July 12, 2010
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I agree with you. I definitely think a 100% Beltran would be a good #2 when Pagan isn't playing, but the lack of speed worries me too.
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to see Tejada's glove go, but I think if they want 12 pitchers, he's the one that will go down when Castillo returns. He needs regular playing time. He won't be down for long though b/c he'll be back when the rosters expand.
It's interesting to see so much being made about the offense and lineup when the glaring issue that the Mets have right now is pitching. They need another starting arm to move Takahashi back to the bullpen. They might even need a solid reliever to go into the 8th inning role unless Parnell proves that he's the guy. Even then, I'd like to see someone other than Nieve/Dessens be trusted to get a righty out in the 7th inning.
ReplyDeleteI'm also concerned that if Beltran struggles on the West Coast Trip he's going to get booed in his return to Citi. This cannot happen!
Great job in the 1st half Chicken!
If Tejada is the future than he has to play. If he is a bench player than he needs to be sent down if he is not going to play every day.
ReplyDeletePagan needs to play everyday!!!
Mets need pitching help. A starter and bulpen help is URGENT!!
In regards to why everyone is concerned about the line-up and the offense, I will be posting comparing the Mets offense and pitching to the league averages.
ReplyDeleteTejada MAY be the future, but right now he can not play every day as he is dead weight at the plate. The most he can play is 1/2 of a platoon and that may even be too much. He's only 20 years old, but he can contribute greatly with his glove (huge improvement over Cora and Castillo).
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