Former Mets Andres Gimenez, Amed Rosario get their position assignments in Cleveland

There won’t be a Cleveland Indians shortstop battle this year. Equipped with a pair of former New York Mets, the team plans to name Andres Gimenez the starter at shortstop.

Meanwhile, Amed Rosario will get reps in center field and several other positions.

For at least the last two years, Mets fans had wondered what the future held for these two. Rosario was a former top prospect who didn’t quite develop into the player many had hoped for. With Gimenez knocking on the door with Ronny Mauricio not far behind, a logjam was looming. Cleveland appears to have figured out what they will do to possibly get both players in the same lineup.

What Indians fans can expect from these former Mets

What Gimenez and Rosario do or don’t accomplish in Cleveland has little to do with the Mets. Over in Flushing, the team’s focus is on signing star shortstop Francisco Lindor to a lengthy and likely record-setting deal as soon as possible.

Nevertheless, I always find it fun to check in on how former Mets are performing and whether or not the Amazins came away as winners in the deal. Until we have an answer on that, I can provide Indians fans with a little insight into what they can expect from these two youngsters.

I don’t think Gimenez becomes a star player, but there’s definitely Gold Glove potential in his future. Certainly something Indians fans know from the days of Omar Vizquel, at his very best Gimenez could be a number two hitter in the lineup. This year, I expect him to slot somewhere closer to the bottom as he continues to grow as a hitter and steal bases regularly.

Rosario may need a little more adjusting. A poor defender with some quality offensive abilities, it’s really up to him and the coaching staff to teach the kid a little more patience at the plate. During his time in New York, Rosario’s lack of walks was immensely frustrating.

Learning a new position or two may further delay Rosario’s development. However, moving him off of shortstop is a good thing. Rosario can run which means center field could end up as a good place to play him.

What the Indians are doing is exactly what we could have expected from the Mets in 2021 had this deal never happened. Rosario has been rumored to move off of shortstop for a while now. And considering Gimenez practically stole the shortstop gig from him last year, it looked like the next logical move.

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I’ll be sure to follow these two over in Cleveland or wherever they may end up. Although we didn’t get their expected prime years in New York, they still grew up as Mets.