Why the Mets Should NOT Put Duda in the Outfield

Earlier today Adam Rubin of ESPN reportedly spoke with GM Sandy Alderson, who told Rubin he expects Lucas Duda to continue getting playing-time in the outfield (ESPN New York). Duda played 58 games in the outfield last year--all in left field (Baseball Reference).

I, for one, am shocked they would put him there; Duda doesn't play well in the outfield and has expressed his distaste for the position in the past. The lefty's fielding percentage has been consistently lower in the outfield throughout his time in the majors. Plus, it has been below average there and on-par with MLB positional averages at first base.

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According to Baseball Reference, Duda's "Rdrs/yr" has been severely below average in the outfield and right around average at first base. They explain the statistic to measure "the number of runs above or below average the fielder was worth per 1,200 innings (approximately 135 games)."Duda's career Rdrs/yr in the outfield stands at -27 while its at 1 when he's on first. For anyone who watches him play, looks at his stats or even listens to him, it's obvious he shouldn't be playing the outfield.

Much debate has ensued this winter about who should play first for the Mets, i.e. Duda or Ike Davis. GM Alderson clearly preferred to hand Duda the job after attempting to trade Davis all offseason. After no deal could be reached, the trade talks stopped and consensus is Davis will be at Spring Training (competing with Duda for first-base).

I don't see any good reason to keep Duda on the club if he won't play first base. Alderson's comments concern me because it is clear he doesn't perform well or comfortably in the outfield. If Davis will have the starting job in April, the two productive things to do with Duda options would be either to demote or trade him. If he doesn't get the job and the Mets could get something good for him--like a backup infielder or reliever--then they will have every reason to do it.


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10 Reasons to be Excited about the Mets Future

1. Two words: Curtis Granderson. 

   

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2. The top catching prospect in the MLB is our own Travis d'Arnaud (MLB.com). (Plus, Kevin Plawecki was apparently close to also cracking the MLB.com's top 10). 

   

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3. 18-year-old Dominic Smith has been ranked the number two first base prospect in all of the MLB.  

   

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4. When Matt Harvey returns from injury next year he will still only be 25. 

   

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5. 23-year-old pitcher Zack Wheeler is expected to have a very bright future. 

   

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6. The Mets number one prospect is 21-year-old, lefty pitcher Noah Syndergaard, whom the club has invited to spring training this year. As put by MLB.com the hurler has a "future as a frontline starter." 
   
7. The Mets' starting pitching depth has greatly expanded. Guys like Bartolo Colon, Jenrry Mejia, and the aforementioned Wheeler and Syndergaard (along with rising prospect Rafael Montero) will help keep rotation spots competitive this season.  

   

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8. Fireballer Bobby Parnell is healthy and ready to be our closer again--here's to hoping he stays that way. 

   

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9. Captain David Wright is still only 31. 

   

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10. Mets fans will always be classier than Yankees fans as Harvey can tell you first-hand: (NJ.com).

    @MattHarvey33 You have what? NINETEEN career wins? Why on Earth do you think you can act like you're in the Hall of Fame?
    — Nick DeBabylon (@NickDeBabylon) January 13, 2014

5 Reasons Mets Fans WANT Ike Davis at Spring Training

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1. To see if him or Lucas Duda has a better spring.



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2. To see if (or pray that) Ike can somehow fix his swing. 

   

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3. Provided he produces, to show other teams he can. 

   

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4. So he can lean over a dugout railing to make a catch. 

   

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5. To see how far Ike can hit BP into the right field swamp. 

   

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[Reaction] How Deadspin got a Hall of Fame Ballot

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ESPN Radio host and long-time Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard has admitted to giving away his Baseball Hall of Fame ballot to sports-blogging website Deadspin. According to Le Batard himself, Deadspin attempted to buy his ballot but he refused in an attempt to abide by the rules. (ESPN)

Upset with the voting process, Le Batard allowed Deadspin to poll its voters as-to which players they would elect to the Hall. The ten players who received the most votes in the poll were the ten he voted for. 

His motivation for the controversial move was specifically his view that steroid-users with qualifying numbers should be voted into the Hall despite cheating. Aside from that main reason, Le Batard said "I always like a little anarchy inside the cathedral we've made of sports." (Deadspin)

The journalist's actions have left many astounded and with questions. Why does he think he knows best? Why couldn't he have raised his concerns in some democratic and less controversial? What does this mean about the integrity of the system?

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz made clear in a statement that Le Batard recieved his voting right while still at the Miami Herald, and that ESPN "wouldn't have advocated his voting approach". (ESPN)

In a statement posted on--of all sites--Deadspin.com, the "hero" wrote that he is aware of the likely consequences for his actions. He stated he knows his vote will likely be stripped but wouldn't want to vote in this system without its being "reformed". (Deadspin)

This scandal has personally angered me. It seems a narcissistic and immature jerk tried to play hero and single-handedly change a system which has regulated the greatest honor a baseball player could ever have. Dan Le Batard just showed the entire baseball world how highly he thinks of himself and how desperate for attention he is. While I'll admit the system has its flaws and needs to be changed, there are respectful and systematic ways to do that. Le Batard should've added his opinion to the plethora out there and found a different path to intense and legitimate debate.