The lineup platoons we could see regularly in 2023
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Platoons were the bread and butter of past New York Mets teams that went on to win the World Series. The lefty/righty pairing of two players at a single position makes it easy for the manager to decide who starts. Last year’s Mets only instituted this in a traditional fashion after the trade deadline when we got the ill-fated pairing of Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf.
We’ve all concluded the Mets won’t give us precisely this same duo at the DH. However, we can expect Vogelbach and another righty to share the DH duties in one of three potential platoons the club could institute.
1) NY Mets platoon: Daniel Vogelbach and Eduardo Escobar at DH
This won’t be a strict platoon as I can see Eduardo Escobar getting into the field occasionally. While we remain in limbo about what will happen with Carlos Correa, his exact role remains undefined. Assuming the Mets and Correa do come to a deal, it pushes Escobar off of third base and to the bench where he can give the Mets depth there, second base, and at DH when they face a lefty.
Escobar had a decent year versus lefties in 2022. Slashing .259/.299/.519 in 174 plate appearances, he showed that, if nothing else, he can hit for great power and put up other acceptable numbers against southpaws.
This won’t be a strict platoon, however, we should expect the Mets to find ways to get Escobar into the lineup regularly if he continues to rake versus lefties. This was a problem for the team in 2022. Improvements from him in a more limited role can keep him active and on the lineup card.
2) NY Mets platoon: Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido at catcher
Omar Narvaez is the left-handed half of this platoon with Tomas Nido as the righty. It won’t be as strict as other platoons. Each should face enough pitchers from both sides.
With a catcher platoon, a logical thing to do is to pair them up with certain pitchers. We know how much past Mets pitchers and even Max Scherzer have enjoyed Nido. Narvaez is the new guy in the picture. Would the team start Nido every time Scherzer starts? It’s not impossible to expect.
Regardless of how they plan out this platoon, Narvaez and Nido will both see a lot of action. Narvaez would benefit from not getting run into the ground as a more “everyday” style. Giving him two or even three days off a week will be beneficial.
Mets fans will eagerly await the arrival of Francisco Alvarez into the picture, too. How does he factor into this picture?
Alvarez may actually play a factor in this and the DH platoon. He isn’t known for his defensive skills. As a rookie this coming season, we can expect the Mets to ease him into more regular action behind the plate at the big league level.
This is actually a perfect setup for him to wear two hats for the team. Alvarez is hyped for his bat. He should, at some point, get opportunities to show it off.
3) NY Mets platoon: Mark Canha and Brett Baty in left field
Still assuming Correa signs with the Mets, this makes Brett Baty a logical left field choice for the team in the near future. To start 2023, we should prepare for more Mark Canha. This isn’t a bad choice whatsoever. Canha did exactly what I think we should have expect him to do in year one with the ball club.
Somewhere down the line further into the 2023 season, the Mets could look to use them both at the position. What makes this platoon option a little more interesting is that the less experienced player would get the yeomen’s share. Baty remains a promising young player. Rushing him too quickly into a starting job could have some side effects.
Many expect Baty to begin the season in Triple-A where he can get at least a few weeks, if not months, of work in as a left fielder. A planned platoon further into the season only works if the Mets don’t add a significant piece to become their fourth or fifth outfielder. Someone like Travis Jankowski can be designated for assignment. Someone in the category of Jurickson Profar probably fits in better as a longer-term option for the outfield mix.
Baty does seem destined now to become either a trade piece or the starting left fielder for the 2024 Mets. It can start with a platoon with Canha in 2023.
Next. 3 Mets players in danger of losing their 40-man roster spot. dark