Rising Apple
FanSided

NY Mets: This is the perfect lineup for the 2021 season

ByZachary Rotman|
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General manager Sandy Alderson of the New York Mets speaks to the media before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on September 17, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Giants defeated the Mets 8-5. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General manager Sandy Alderson of the New York Mets speaks to the media before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on September 17, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Giants defeated the Mets 8-5. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
9 of 9
Mets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 19: Andres Gimenez #60 of the New York Mets runs to home during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on September 19, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Andres Gimenez – SS

Andres Gimenez was one of, if not the biggest surprise of the 2020 season. He displayed an elite glove during his rookie season and took over the starting shortstop role from Amed Rosario. His bat was also a surprise, as he slashed .263/.333/.398 with three home runs and 12 RBI. Gimenez also led the team with eight stolen bases despite not being an everyday player the whole season.

If the Mets don’t go out and trade for Francisco Lindor, I expect the Mets to have a platoon of Gimenez and Rosario, unless one really outperforms the other in Spring Training. Gimenez will provide some very good speed and defense at the bottom of the order, which are two things the Mets have lacked on their roster for years.

The reason I have Gimenez starting over Rosario is for his glove and speed. Even if Gimenez struggles at the plate, he can provide so much value in the field and on the base paths. Gimenez is a far better fielder than Rosario, and while both have tremendous speed, Gimenez stole eight bases while Rosario did not steal one.

Furthermore, when Rosario does not hit, he does absolutely nothing productive offensively. He drew a total of four walks in 143 at-bats and didn’t draw one until August 31st, more than a month into the season. At that time, he was the everyday shortstop.

I believe Rosario has more potential of the two, but the Mets don’t really need the firepower at the bottom of the order. What they do need is a steady glove who can provide speed and Gimenez can do both very well.

I do believe Rosario gets the starts against the lefties, and Gimenez will get a majority of the starts against the right-handers. The only way I see this changing is if one gets red hot or if they acquire Francisco Lindor.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

If Gimenez can produce numbers similar to the ones he put up this past season, I believe the Mets will be more than satisfied. This lineup is so deep already, they can afford to have a defensive and speed minded player rounding out the order.

Home/New York Mets News

Schedule