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New York Mets Rumors: Matt Reynolds Set For Outfield Work?

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 26, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) and shortstop Matt Reynolds (56) during workouts the day before game one of the 2015 World Series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) and shortstop Matt Reynolds (56) during workouts the day before game one of the 2015 World Series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Mets Rumors: Could infield prospect Matt Reynolds begin dabbling in learning the outfield to increase his chances at an MLB roster spot?

With the New York Mets improving their roster as much as they did this offseason, some players will have their roles reduced more than they originally thought. Last season’s starting shortstop Wilmer Flores will be moving into a utility role on the bench, as the Mets have a new middle infield in Asdrubal Cabrera and Neil Walker.

With new starters at second base and shortstop, younger players will be blocked from playing time at the major leauge level unless playing time opens up. The only way that will occur is probably with an injury. But, if that doesn’t happen, the Mets Triple-A team will have a strong duo up the middle in prospects Gavin Cecchini and Dilson Herrera playing shortstop and second base.

Herrera was expected to be in the running for the major league second base job, but that one Walker will be entrenched at unless he becomes injured. It makes little sense to stunt Herrera’s growth, so he will get as much playing time with Las Vegas as he can handle.

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With Cecchini and Herrera locked into starting jobs in the middle infield, where does prospect Matt Reynolds fit into the equation? Reynolds does not really have a spot at second base, so could we see him expand his position flexibility this Spring?

That is something that manager Terry Collins mentioned at his introductory spring press conference. He said Reynolds is due to begin dabbling in the outfield for the first time in his career. That is something that Reynolds has not yet been informed of, but something that he would be willing to try out if it meant improving his odds at landing a spot with the major league roster.

"“No one has talked to me about it, but I heard about it from the press conference and everything. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get to the big leagues. I figured that I’d probably be changing positions. Honestly, I just look at it as it makes me more versatile, and there’s more opportunity for me to get called up and maybe stay up there.”"

Reynolds has not played the outfield much in his professional career, playing there only in the Cape Cod league. He has spent a majority of his time playing second base and shortstop professionally, but did also play third base in college at Arkansas. He started 91 games at shortstop last season and 10 at second base.

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He hit .267 last season in Triple-A, knocking in 65 RBI with six home runs. If he can acclimate himself to the outfield well enough, there is a strong chance that Reynolds could make the major league team over someone such as Ruben Tejada. Versatility is the name of the game in the National League, and if he can play a decent outfield, with the experience he has working in the infield, he could find himself with a spot on the 25-man roster.

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