Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Mets: What to do with Alejandro De Aza?

By Nick Ziegler

September 28, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Alejandro De Aza (45) hits a sacrifice fly scoring right fielder Marlon Byrd (6, not pictured) for game-winning run during the 12th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 3-2 in 12 innings. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 28, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Alejandro De Aza (45) hits a sacrifice fly scoring right fielder Marlon Byrd (6, not pictured) for game-winning run during the 12th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 3-2 in 12 innings. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The decision by the New York Mets to sign Yoenis Cespedes pleased their fans immensely, but it also led to another new player having a very uncertain role heading into 2016.

Before the Mets signed Cespedes, they had reached an agreement to sign outfielder Alejandro De Aza to a deal worth nearly $6 million dollars. With a crowded outfield in New York, De Aza has become buried on the bench it would appear.

“Right now we just let camp progress and see what happens with all of our players, not just De Aza,” general manager Sandy Alderson said to Mike Puma of the New York Post. “We’ll see when we’re into spring training how things fit together, so I wouldn’t anticipate any decision anytime soon regarding his playing time or his position on the team.”

The Mets have expressed an interest in trying to move De Aza, but in order to do that, they’ll need his permission any time before June 14th, which came to the surprise of De Aza

“I am going to have to ask my agent,” De Aza said to Puma. “The only thing I know how to do is play baseball.”

De Aza completely understands the Mets’ decision to bring back Cespedes, and as of now, he is getting paid a lot of money to be a bench player and insurance policy.

More from Empire Writes Back

“This is a game and you will do anything as an owner that you think is better to win games and to get a championship and that’s the key,” De Aza said to Puma.

Mets’ manager, Terry Collins, wouldn’t say whether or not De Aza is going to have a small role on the team, as he is saying all the right things as the manager.

“He might have a big role on this team, it’s just, we haven’t gotten on the field yet,” Collins said Puma. “I’ve known this kid for many years and just told him to get ready to play and there’re only certain things you can control in our game and that’s how you play. If he goes and plays good, we’ve got to find a way to put him in the lineup once in awhile.”

“He was a skinny guy the last time I saw him,” Collins said Puma. “He’s a little bit better hitter, a little stronger than he once was, but he’s a good defender. He was a center fielder when I first saw him, but he plays the corners now and he gives us some options to move things around.

“What he is right now is a veteran left-handed bat on the bench, which is a position we’re certainly going to need.”

Last season, De Aza played on three teams and totaled a .262 batting average, seven home runs, 35 RBIs, and seven stolen bases.

“[Last year] wasn’t my best year, but I’m hoping this one is better,” he said to Puma. “I’m just going to think about this year and try to do better than I did last year.”

Next: What was the biggest trade made by the Mets in the last 20 years?

It’s hard to imagine that the Mets will be fine with paying De Aza so much to sit on the bench in 2016, but they will likely not be able to get a deal done until the regular season starts and a team has a need for an outfielder.

Home/New York Mets