Just Some Thoughts As Opening Day Quickly Approaches

Just some thoughts. How many at bats does Juan Lagares get? Does Conforto play a full season in the majors? How does Flores respond to his new role with the team? Can the Mets get anything worth while for De Aza? Can Plawecki or d'Arnaud play first and/or third base?

First, I feel like Lagares gets anywhere from 300-400 at bats. He will be moved around the whole outfield, predominately being a late inning defensive replacement, hopefully his range returns from two years ago. Conforto's contribution to the team directly relates to Lagares's role, if Conforto is on the team, Lagares gets less time in the outfield. If Conforto spends any bit of substantial time in the minors, Lagares might be able to get 500 at bats.

I think Flores wants to be on the team, at any cost. I don't think he cares much where he plays, so long as he plays. I love a guy that cares more about the name on his chest more than the one on his back. You can see how much Flores wants be on the team and how he will do anything necessary to stay in that home clubhouse at Citi Field. I think maybe you even see Flores at first base this year while a bulk of his time will be at the other corner, the hot corner.

De Aza has swung a pretty good bat this spring while showing he still has life left in those legs, Maybe he can be a good fifth outfielder. Maybe even tested at first base some days? The Indians are in the market for more outfield depth but as the spring starts winding down, more teams start to figure out what they need and some might be more inclined to take on the five plus million dollars that is owed to De Aza. From the sound of it, the Mets aren't looking for much in terms of a player, just a team that can take on De Aza's salary.

It is interesting to note that the Mets brass was thinking about sending Plawecki down to the minors but it looks like they have elected to keep him on the big league staff. It is interesting because he's young and his and d'Arnaud's bat should see consistent at bats. They will need to be creative in finding playing time for both of the catchers. Maybe one catches and one plays third or first base, while Flores either gets a day off is playing the other position. It will be fun to see as the season opens how they use the two catchers. Is Plawecki going to be nothing more than a backup catcher for this 2016 team?

What do you think about this? What do you think they do with Plawecki and d'Arnaud? Who, if anyone, takes on De Aza's contract? What position will Flores get the most time at? Who will log the most innings by the end of the year playing each outfield position?

Either way, this is a very exciting time of the year where questions get answered and some arise. As the fast approaching Opening Day arrives, I am patiently waiting for this exciting day, like a non-Italian little kid on Christmas Eve.