VIDEO: Daniel Murphy Opposite Field Bomb

With Murph hitting and Feliciano over .400, tell me again why GMJ is still on this team?

Down on the Farm

AAA Buffalo WON 8-7 (10)

• Jesus Feliciano - 2 for 5, R, 2B, 2 RBI
• Daniel Murphy - 0 for 5, K
• Mike Hessman - 3 for 5, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR (16), 2 RBI (51)
• Mike Jacobs - 1 for 4, R, 2B, RBI, K
• Josh Thole - 0 for 3, BB, E
• Ruben Tejada - 0 for 4
• John Lujan - 1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• Manny Acosta - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

AA Binghamton Lost 11-4

• Nick Evans - 1 for 4, R, HR, RBI
• Eric Campbell - 2 for 4, R, HR (1), 2 RBI (batting .375 at AA)
• Kirk Nieuwenhuis - 0 for 1 (don't worry, he was a PH)
• Chris Schwinden - 4 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Roy Merritt - 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Manuel Alvarez - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (still 0 ER allowed for the season)

A+ St. Lucie WON 11-2 (a 9 run 2nd inning helped)

• Wilfredo Tovar - 1 for 3, R, K
• Joey August - 1 for 5, R, HR (1), RBI, 2 K
• Stefan Welch - 2 for 4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
• Brahiam Maldonado - 2 for 5, 2 R, RBI, 2 K
• Sean Ratliff - 2 for 3, 2 R, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, K
• Josh Satin - 2 for 4, R, 2 2B, 3 RBI
• Richard Lucas - 2 for 3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
• Juan Centeno - 0 for 4, K
• Robert Carson - 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K

A Savannah Lost 3-2

• Rafael Fernandez - 0 for 4, 3 K, E
• Wilmer Flores - 1 for 4
• Juan Lagares - 0 for 4, K
• Jefry Marte - 1 for 2, R, 2 BB
• Cesar Puello - 1 for 2
• Alonzo Harris - 1 for 2, RBI, BB, PO, E
• Mark Cohoon - 6 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
• Erik Turgeon - 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, BS/LOSS (this raised his ERA to 1.40)
• John Church - 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (but his was lowered to 0.95)

Down on the Farm

AAA Buffalo WON 4-1

• Jesus Feliciano - 2 for 4, 2B, BB, K
• Mike Jacobs - 1 for 4, RBI, K
• Mike Hessman - 0 for 4, K (0 for 12 in his last 3 games)
• Val Pascucci - 0 for 3, BB, K
• Josh Thole - 1 for 3, 2 R, 2B, BB (hitting better plus showing more pop)
• Ruben Tejada - 1 for 3, BB
• D.J. Wabick - 1 for 1, RBI
• Dillon Gee - 6 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (nice to see another strong start)
• John Lujan - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, SAVE

AA Binghamton WON 3-1

• Captain Kirk - 1 for 4, R, HR, RBI
• Nick Evans - 1 for 4, R, K
• Eric Campbell - 0 for 3
• Brahiam Maldonado - 1 for 3, 2B, K
• Chris Schwinden - 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (nice AA debut)
• Manuel Alvarez - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (nice to see him promoted to AA after his performance at St. Lucie)
• Josh Stinson - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, SAVE (not his AA debut, but a guy I like if he could just cut down on base runners allowed)

A+ St. Lucie WON 5-2

• Wilfredo Tovar - 2 for 5, R, 3B
• Joey August - 2 for 4, R, 2B, RBI, SB
• Daniel Murphy - 1 for 3, RBI, BB
• Stefan Welch - 1 for 4, R, 2B, 2 K
• Richard Lucas - 2 for 4, R, HR, 3 RBI
• Robert Carson - 6 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
• Jimmy Johnson - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

A Savannah Lost 7-6 (11)

• Juan Lagares - 0 for 6, R, SB
• Wilmer Flores - 1 for 5, BB, K
• Jefry Marte - 2 for 6, R, 2B, K
• Kai Gronauer - 3 for 6, R
• Nick Santomauro - 1 for 5, 2B RBI
• Cesar Puello - 0 for 4, K
• Alonzo Harris - 1 for 4, R, BB
• Mark Cohoon - 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
• Erik Turgeon - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (ERA now stands at 1.16)

The Jacobs/Tatis Platoon Just Might Work--for a While

Now that Daniel Murphy is out "2-6 weeks", there is the thought that he just may be gone longer.

While I'm no fan of Murph, I do believe he has a future as a Ty Wigginton type player rather than a big league first baseman.

As you can see here, Wigginton has had a decent career by virtue of his versatility and ability to hit a little while playing multiple positions.

With Mike Jacobs officially making the team, there is a chance for the Mets to have some production at first base way over and above the 95 OPS+ that Daniel Murphy provided last year.

Let's look at the 2008 numbers of Mike Jacobs and Fernando Tatis, and see if we can't come up with a decent big-league first-sacker:

Mike Jacobs:

Split        AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO   BA  OBP  SLG  OPS
vs RHP      358 92 23  2 25  70  1  0 31 83 .257 .315 .542 .857 

Fernando Tatis:

Split        AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO   BA  OBP  SLG  OPS
vs LHP      106 33  8  0  1  19  0  0 14 20 .311 .393 .415 .809 

Now that would be a decent combination, not great, but more production than the Mets had last year.

The two-headed monster looks poised for around 30 HRs and 100 RBIs and an OPS near .850.

Again, not Pujols-esque, but certainly leaps and bounds over the 12 HRs, 63 RBIs and .741 OPS the Mets got out of Murphy last year.  It's even better if you add in Delgado's 4 HRs and 23 RBIs to the mix.

So while the Mets don't have an anchor over there, they do have a decent answer for 2010.  Most importantly, Ike is a phone call away--if he gets off to a tremendous start in the minors and Jacobs struggles, I would fully expect him to man the position going forward after a shakeup, trade or release. 

And then there will be a long-term solution there--Ike Davis--I only wish it was now.

 

Mets 2010 Season Prediction

The Mets will be better in 2010 than they were in 2009, the question is how much better?

While many pundits are predicting a long season, I believe there is reason for hope and that the Mets will compete well and challenge for the division.

Let's begin with a look at the positions:

Catcher. In the off-season I thought the Mets would fare best with a youth movement, both here and at first base.  Last year's catching duo of Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro are long gone, and I truly felt Josh Thole could handle the job provided the Mets added a veteran caddy.  Instead of going with this plan, the Mets added a bunch of veteran backstops, and two of them are poised to handle the catching duties in 2010.  Both Rod Barajas and Henry Blanco are pretty sound defensive catchers with power and a canny knack for not getting on base.  I do think these guys will help the staff and do what doctors promise to their patients--do no harm.
Verdict:  Upgrade

First base. First is the other "youth movement" position.  Ike Davis had an outstanding 2009 minor league campaign, followed by a brilliant fall, and an even better spring--he goes to the minors.  Daniel Murphy, a big-time punching bag in 2009, had a steady spring, especially defensively.  Unfortunately for Mr Murphy, he tweaked his knee and start the season on the DL. It looks like once promising slugger Mike Jacobs has won the role as the opening day first sacker.  Jacobs has a very long swing, strikes out a ton, and plays defense like my grandmother--but he is a super nice guy and he'll hit the occasional long ball when his bat somehow finds the ball.  Fernando Tatis, who had a horrible spring, figures to get some playing time here as well.  I really would have liked the Mets to go with Chris Carter here.
Verdict:  Status Quo 

Second base. Let me start by saying I actually like Luis Castillo a lot.  That said, Jerry just uses him the wrong way.  He hit for average last year, and his OBP was terrific, but the man has no business in the 2 hole.  He bunts too often, has zero power, and his range at second is more limited by the day.  I am certainly OK with Castillo at second this year, but he should bat 8th--period.
Verdict:  Status Quo

Third base. Mr Met David Wright needs a big season--and he is going to have one.  Last year he was a mental train wreck, and he suffered more than most from the AAA lineup the Mets put out in 2009.  His power is back this spring, and he looks like the David Wright of old.  I think he'll hit 30+ homeruns with a ton of doubles and RBIs while playing slightly above league average third base.
Verdict:  Upgrade

Shortstop. Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose!  He's back, and he could be back on opening day if the Mets weren't so gun shy right now with injuries.  Jose is going to bring the go-go Mets back and spark the entire lineup with his talents.  With Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Jason Bay behind him in the lineup, Reyes can easily score 120 runs in 2010.  He is going to miss the first 5 games of the season, but that's fine if he stays healthy the rest of the year.  I am expecting the best season of his career.
Verdict:  Upgrade

Outfield. Call me crazy, but I think the Mets 2010 outfield might be the best the team has ever had.  Jason Bay is a tremendous hitter and veteran presence who will provide the stability and power that the Mets never seem to find in their leftfielder.  Carlos Beltran, who should be back in a few weeks, is one of the premier centerfielders in the game.  He is a true five-tool player and a clutch performer.  Jeff Francoeur seems to have a new lease on life.  If he gets on base at anything above a .330 clip, the rest of his game will be there, including excellent defense, an agressive attitude, and a wonderful clubhouse presence.  This group will delight Mets fans all year--after Beltran gets back that is.  I am confident in Angel Pagan and Gary Mathews to fill in well--both guys are big time talents that add a great deal of depth to the team.
Verdict:  Major Upgrade

Rotation. Oh boy--this is the tough one.  The Mets really failed to address rotation concerns this off-season.  Johan Santana was lit up regularly this spring, but you just know he's going to compete for the Cy Young this year.  After that, it's a game of who knows?  John Maine has one excuse after another.  I expect him to battle all year, and struggle a lot.  A 10-15 record would not surprise me with a 4.50 to 4.80 ERA.  Mike Pelfrey is the real wildcard--he looks great from a physical perspective, but his pitches were really flat this spring.  That could be a function of him working on stuff, or it could be that he's lost some of the sink on his fastball.  Regardless, I do think he is the most overcoached pitcher in the rotation.  Oliver Perez might be done.  With the spring he's had, the Mets might be wise to send him to AAA for a month--the issue is there aren't many other options other than to start him wit the big club--and hope for the best.  Jonathan Niese had a solid spring, and seems ready to resume what looks to be a promising big league career.  Expect at least 15% of the Mets starts to come from pitchers other than these five.
Verdict:  Status Quo

Bullpen. The Mets bullpen looks pretty strong to me right now.  Francisco Rodriguez is a gamer--yes he had some health issues, but he's had a really solid spring, and there's no reason to think his 2010 won't be anything short of outstanding.  The setup man job was won by default by Pedro Feliciano.  This is not great in that Felciano excelled at his specialist role and has for quite some time--he is death to lefty's and can pitch almost daily.  Takahashi seems like a great fit, and he will definitely get some starts mixed in with his long relief role.  Kiko Calero should get the final spot--he will become a fan favorite.  The other members of the bullpen, which could feature Jennry Mejia (60% chance of him making it per Adam Rubin), are a decent mix of talents that should provide Jerry Manuel with a lot of options.
Verdict:  Upgrade

Prediction. While the Mets aren't on anyone's radar scope as anything near a favorite, they are also much better than many of the fourth and fifth place finishes that are being spouted by various pundits.  The team is solid offensively, has a true Ace, a great closer, and there is serious potential lurking in that starting rotation.  The bench is the best the Mets have had in a while, and the bullpen is really stocked with arms of different flavors that could be a real difference-maker in many a close game.

Survey Says.....

86-76, third in the NL East, miss the playoffs by 3.5 games.

Jason Bay's Excellent Spring

With all the hand-wringing over Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, combined with the hand-wringing over the starting pitching, the hand-wringing over the bullpen, and the hand-wringing over the various options at first base and catcher, Jason Bay has been largely ignored this spring.

Sure, he's the biggest free agent signing in these parts since Johan Santana, but he gets less ink than Daniel Murphy, Mike Jacobs, or Omar Minaya's haircut on any given day this spring.

The most coverage he's had was during the Olympics when he tried to explain curling to his Latin American teammates, or when he took a few hours to convince Jeff Francoeur that they do speak English in Canada and that it is actually a country.

So I'm here to give him some props, and his 1.135 OPS deserves it.  Jason Bay is having a very, very nice spring--he's hitting, he's blended in well with his teammates, and he is poised to have an outstanding year.

He sure looks and acts like the big slugger the Mets desperately needed to anchor the middle of the lineup.

Status: Active

• Born: 9/20/1978 in Trail, BC Canada

• Bats/Throws: R/R
• HT: 6'2''
• WT: 205

• Debut: 5/24/2003
• College: Gonzaga

• Last 10
• Upcoming
• Quick Splits

DATE	OPP	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG
03/07/2010	WSH	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.143	H	2010/03/07/wasmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/08/2010	@FLA	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	.200	A	2010/03/08/nynmlb-flomlb-1	S
03/09/2010	HOU	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.167	H	2010/03/09/houmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/11/2010	BOS	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.143	H	2010/03/11/bosmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/13/2010	DET	3	2	1	1	3	0	1	0	.176	H	2010/03/13/detmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/14/2010	@FLA	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	.200	A	2010/03/14/nynmlb-flomlb-1	S
03/15/2010	STL	3	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	.261	H	2010/03/15/slnmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/18/2010	@FLA	3	2	2	1	2	0	1	0	.308	A	2010/03/18/nynmlb-flomlb-1	S
03/19/2010	MIN	2	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	.357	H	2010/03/19/minmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/23/2010	ATL	4	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	.344	H	2010/03/23/atlmlb-nynmlb-1	S
TOTALS		27	8	10	2	7	2	5	0	.370

Worst Base

The Mets cadre of first basemen not named Ike Davis are struggling mightily at the plate this spring.

The strange part is that the group of experienced professionals the Mets brought in or retained have a solid pedigree and the proven ability to play well.

Unfortunately, to this point in camp none of them have been able to grab the horns and put on the type of offensive showing that would leave little doubt as to who deserves the job.

Sorry Mike Jacobs, but the fact that you hit a bunch of homeruns in the past does not guarantee you anything. Your 2009 and current performance means a heck of a lot more.  To this point the only good news we've had is the fact that you've only struck out "a few times"...wow, amazing, how about adding in a few hits?

Let's look at the Spring Training numbers:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	OBP	SLG	AVG
D Murphy	10	30	5	4	0	0	1	4	7	2	5	.176	.233	.133
M Jacobs	9	23	3	4	0	0	2	2	10	5	4	.321	.435	.174
F Tatis	7	17	2	1	1	0	0	1	2	0	1	.059	.118	.059
Catalanotto	9	16	3	2	1	1	0	4	5	2	2	.211	.313	.125

This crew isn't exactly covering themselves in glory, which brings us to Ike Davis, he of the gaudy numbers and the 9th inning heroics yesterday off the bench:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	OBP	SLG	AVG
Ike Davis	11	24	7	12	3	0	3	10	24	3	7	.556	1.000	.500

We know that Jacobs and Catalenatto are battling for the final roster spot, and that the odds favor Jacobs at this point, but it would sure be nice if one of these guys won the job with their hitting.

Catalanatto is actually more versatile in the field, as these stats show, having played 2B, 3B, OF and 1B during his career.

Jacobs is younger, and has more pop, and both guys have trouble hitting lefty's.

Catalanatto is a career .240 hitter against lefty's, and Jacobs is even worse, sporting a career .221 average with a pitiful .240 OBP.

In that respect, a platoon of Tatis against lefty's and Murphy (or Jacobs) against righty's makes the most sense, but truth be told, I cannot get excited about any of the current combination's.

As for now, I cannot figure out how the Mets are going to get big league production from first base...we will get slightly below average to maybe average production there with this crew, but at this point it is certainly more worst base than first base.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Poll: Murphy, Jacobs or Ike Davis at 1B (metsblog.com)
• Buzz: Mike Jacobs Leads Race For Final Bench Spot (metsblog.com)

1 for 17: The Tatis Watch Continues

Fernando Tatis remains ice cold this spring.  Today he went 0-2 with a groundout double play (Tatis hit into 13 double plays in 2009).

Tatis is now hitting .059 this spring.

Meanwhile, Ike Davis is hitting .500 and hit a game tying homerun in the 9th.  Fernando Martinez went 1 for 4, lowering his average to a mere .472.

Status: Active

• Born: 1/1/1975 in San Pedro de Macoris,  Dominican Republic

• Bats/Throws: R/R
• HT: 5'11''
• WT: 185
• Bio >

• Debut: 7/26/1997
• College: N/A

• Last 10
• Upcoming
• Quick Splits

DATE	OPP	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG
03/03/2010	@ATL	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	A	2010/03/03/nynmlb-atlmlb-1	S
03/04/2010	STL	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	H	2010/03/04/slnmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/05/2010	@STL	3	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	.125	A	2010/03/05/nynmlb-slnmlb-1	S
03/17/2010	@BOS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.091	A	2010/03/17/nynmlb-bosmlb-1	S
03/18/2010	@FLA	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.077	A	2010/03/18/nynmlb-flomlb-1	S
03/19/2010	MIN	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.067	H	2010/03/19/minmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/20/2010	@STL	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.059	A	2010/03/20/nynmlb-slnmlb-1	S
TOTALS		17	2	1	0	1	0	1	0	.059

Related articles by Zemanta

• Poll: Murphy, Jacobs or Ike Davis at 1B (metsblog.com)

1 for 15

In an update to our earlier story from today, Fernando Tatis is now 1 for 15 this Spring Training after his oh'fer today in the Mets loss to the Twins.

Can you hear the drums Fernando?
I remember long ago another starry night like this...
In the firelight Fernando,
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar.
I could hear the distant drums,
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar

1 for 13

Not sure what to make of Fernando Tatis right now.  In the off-season I advocated for a youth movement, and those plans didn't include the 35-year old, who was terrific in 2008, and not so good in 2009.

Sure, he had a fine August and September, but when the Mets needed him most, the numbers were not very good.

Hopefully the knee thing is over and he'll get back to form, but right now he's not looking like the player the Mets needed him to be, and his bat is not anywhere near that of Chris Carter, the projected "26th man".

Fernando This Spring

• Born: 1/1/1975 in San Pedro de Macoris,  Dominican Republic

• Bats/Throws: R/R
• HT: 5'11''
• WT: 185

• Last 10
• Upcoming
• Quick Splits

DATE	OPP	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG
03/03/2010	@ATL	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	A	2010/03/03/nynmlb-atlmlb-1	S
03/04/2010	STL	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	H	2010/03/04/slnmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/05/2010	@STL	3	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	.125	A	2010/03/05/nynmlb-slnmlb-1	S
03/17/2010	@BOS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.091	A	2010/03/17/nynmlb-bosmlb-1	S
03/18/2010	@FLA	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.077	A	2010/03/18/nynmlb-flomlb-1	S
TOTALS		13	2	1	0	1	0	1	0	.077

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• Tatis Coming Back, Smoltz Wants To Stay With Cards? (hotfootblog.com)
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• Mets Agree to Terms with Fernando Tatis, Continue to Delude Themselves (hotfootblog.com)

Break Up the Mets!

These guys sure look like they came to spring training ready to hit.

On the backs of homeruns by David Wright, Daniel Murphy, Gary Mathews, Jr, and Jason Bay, the club just put up a very nice nine run inning.

It looks more and more like Mets version 2010 is going to be a club quite capable of putting up a lot of runs, especially with a very solid and professional middle of the order.

Yes having Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran out for a few weeks to start the year is not great, but adding Jason Bay, having DW back on track, and with Murph a year older and more mature, the offense is looking up.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Pre-Game: Tigers vs. Mets (metsblog.com)
• Will David Wright Pass the Post-Beaning Test in 2010? (bleacherreport.com)

Could The Mets Offense Really be This Good?

Looking at the Mets lineup, or the potential Mets lineup, there is definitely some reason for excitement.

In this analysis I looked back at the 2007-2009 seasons, viewed the player performances at Citi Field, looked at the stats and trends vs lefty's and righty's, and made a few assumptions based on the most likely starters and the published timetable for the return for Beltran.

Using an earlier article I wrote, we have the two-headed monster of Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis at first base.

I also think Josh Thole is going to win the primary catcher job and turn over partial duty to Santos or Blanco or whomever else looks the best in Spring Training.

Now many people have contacted me to tell me I'm crazy for thinking Thole wins the job, but read what Minaya said about the young catcher, and then think about Thole's bat in the lineup.

"I think Thole is going to compete for a job in spring training," Minaya said. "We'll see how he plays coming off a very good year. He led the league in hitting in Venezuela (winter ball). With Thole, where is he? Do we rush him? Does he take the job?"

Now obviously Angel Pagan is not going to bat cleanup, and Castillo will more than likely be shuffled around again, so the positions of the lineup are where the player, or duo, will likely get the majority of their at-bats in 2010.

So with that said, let's look at our lineup:

	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Reyes	688	113	204	37	19	16	68	66	82	56	15	0.297	0.358	0.475	0.833
Castillo	546	87	157	16	5	2	40	73	60	20	6	0.288	0.387	0.346	0.733
Wright	604	104	196	42	1	30	107	94	115	24	5	0.325	0.416	0.546	0.962
Pagan/Beltran	606	116	172	35	8	27	112	92	96	25	3	0.284	0.376	0.500	0.876
Bay	531	98	142	29	3	32	114	83	152	10	3	0.267	0.384	0.537	0.921
Murphy/Tatis	598	86	162	32	1	17	86	72	104	8	1	0.280	0.350	0.450	0.800
Francoeur	642	84	188	34	0	19	91	42	129	5	2	0.293	0.338	0.444	0.782
Thole/Santos	500	61	135	25	2	8	65	50	71	4	3	0.288	0.342	0.383	0.725

Not too shabby! A nice mix of power, speed, average, OBP and an absolute ton of doubles.

Adding Jason Bay was a terrific move. If the players in front of him all stay healthy and produce, the Mets will not have trouble scoring runs.

Sure, there are a ton of "ifs", but as we all know, hope truly does spring eternal.

Can We Platoon the 2008 Jacobs and the 2008 Tatis?

As my readers know, I am not a fan of Daniel Murphy and would really like to see him go back and play parts of second base, first base, and a little third base for an entire year in AA. His future is as a Ty Wigginton type player, not as a big league first baseman.

As you can see here, Wigginton has had a decent career by virtue of his versatility and ability to hit a little while playing multiple positions.

With Mike Jacobs coming in as a non-roster invite, there is a chance for the Mets to have some production at first base way over and above the 95 OPS+ that Daniel Murphy provided last year.

So for our purposes here today, let's remove 2009 forever from our minds....have you done it yet...I'll wait a bit longer. OK, there it is...we are back to the very end of 2008 and we're about to platoon Fernando Tatis with Mike Jacobs as the first baseman for the Mets.

Let's look at their numbers:

Mike Jacobs:

Split        AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO   BA  OBP  SLG  OPS
vs RHP      358 92 23  2 25  70  1  0 31 83 .257 .315 .542 .857 

Fernando Tatis:

Split        AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO   BA  OBP  SLG  OPS
vs LHP      106 33  8  0  1  19  0  0 14 20 .311 .393 .415 .809 

Now that would be a decent combination, not great, but more production and power than Murphy will provide.

Finally, I still have to ask why Murphy is not working on becoming a second baseman, or at least a more seasoned utility player? He has no future in the big leagues as a first baseman, and with Ike Davis in the wings for 2011, Murphy has no real future with the Mets unless he can play another position, most likely second base.

Murphy did play 17 games at second in 2008 in AA, but no games since. He has also worked at 3B, in the outfield, and is now penciled in as the Mets first baseman for 2010.

It makes little sense to me.

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A Tatis/Murphy Platoon Makes Sense

The more I think about Tatis coming back, the more inclined I am to like the idea based on the statistical evidence before us.

First off, Tatis, who had a dreadful first 2/3rds of a season in 2009, hit very well in August and September.

In August he hit .310 with an .811 OPS, and in September he hit .353 with an .883 OPS (he was 4 for 8 in October as well).

His overall splits were:

2009 Batting Splits
Overall	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Total	340	42	96	21	4	8	48	22	9	54	4	1	.282	.339	.438	.777
By Breakdown	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs. Left	133	16	37	9	3	3	19	15	4	25	0	1	.278	.364	.459	.823
vs. Right	207	26	59	12	1	5	29	7	5	29	4	0	.285	.321	.425	.746
Home	172	23	48	8	2	5	27	14	6	27	2	1	.279	.352	.436	.788
Away	168	19	48	13	2	3	21	8	3	27	2	0	.286	.324	.440	.764
Day	107	23	37	5	0	5	21	7	4	18	4	0	.346	.397	.533	.930
Night	233	19	59	16	4	3	27	15	5	36	0	1	.253	.311	.395	.706
Grass	340	42	96	21	4	8	48	22	9	54	4	1	.282	.339	.438	.777
By Day/Month	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Last 7 Days	11	2	6	2	0	0	3	0	0	1	1	0	.545	.500	.727	1.227
April	23	6	8	1	1	1	2	2	1	3	2	0	.348	.407	.609	1.016
May	66	8	15	3	0	1	9	2	4	4	0	1	.227	.288	.318	.606
June	60	5	14	3	1	0	6	6	1	5	0	0	.233	.313	.317	.630
July	48	7	11	4	0	4	8	2	2	10	1	0	.229	.288	.563	.851
August	84	8	26	5	2	1	11	6	1	22	0	0	.310	.359	.452	.811
September	51	6	18	4	0	1	10	4	0	10	0	0	.353	.393	.490	.883
October	8	2	4	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	.500	.500	.625	1.125
Pre All-Star	173	24	43	9	2	4	20	11	8	15	3	1	.249	.320	.393	.713
Post All-Star	167	18	53	12	2	4	28	11	1	39	1	0	.317	.359	.485	.844

If you look at his numbers vs lefty's, the picture becomes even clearer: a decent .278 BA, .364 OBP, and .823 OPS, and that includes the numbers from his putrid May, June and July.

Similarly, Daniel Murphy had a horrendous May, June and July, and it seemed to click for him a little bit in August and September, especially in the power department.

Murph had a very respectable .556 Slg % in September, though he hardly walked at all during the entire season.

2009 Batting Splits
Overall	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Total	508	60	135	38	4	12	63	38	0	69	4	2	.266	.313	.427	.740
By Breakdown	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs. Left	94	10	21	6	0	4	14	6	0	19	1	0	.223	.267	.415	.682
vs. Right	414	50	114	32	4	8	49	32	0	50	3	2	.275	.324	.430	.754
Home	248	30	73	22	4	7	33	12	0	30	2	0	.294	.323	.500	.823
Away	260	30	62	16	0	5	30	26	0	39	2	2	.238	.304	.358	.662
Day	180	21	47	12	2	4	29	16	0	23	3	1	.261	.318	.417	.735
Night	328	39	88	26	2	8	34	22	0	46	1	1	.268	.311	.433	.744
Grass	508	60	135	38	4	12	63	38	0	69	4	2	.266	.313	.427	.740
By Day/Month	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Last 7 Days	15	1	5	1	0	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	.333	.333	.600	.933
April	68	13	22	2	1	1	7	6	0	6	1	0	.324	.373	.426	.799
May	68	8	12	3	0	3	10	10	0	8	0	1	.176	.278	.353	.631
June	75	7	18	3	0	1	7	7	0	10	0	0	.240	.298	.320	.618
July	84	9	21	9	0	1	11	9	0	17	1	0	.250	.323	.393	.716
August	113	9	33	11	1	1	11	3	0	18	1	1	.292	.308	.434	.742
September	90	13	25	9	2	4	15	3	0	9	1	0	.278	.298	.556	.854
October	10	1	4	1	0	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	.400	.400	.800	1.200
Pre All-Star	242	30	60	11	1	5	28	25	0	30	1	1	.248	.314	.364	.678
Post All-Star	266	30	75	27	3	7	35	13	0	39	3	1	.282	.313	.485	.798

You'll notice that his numbers against RH pitching are much better than his numbers vs LH'ers. Moreover, his 20 doubles in 203 August/September at bats is simply outstanding.

If we combine Tatis against LH and Murph against RH using their 2009 splits we can forecast a worse case "player" with about a .280 BA, .350 OBP, and .450 Slg % and 15 HRs and 80 RBIs.

While those numbers are still very average compared to most first basemen in the league, they are not terrible.

I think the two players will actually outperform their 2009 seasons based on the end of season trends, and they can very easily attain a combined 20 HR and 90 RBI season and get on base enough times with gap power to make a decent contribution.

That is good enough.