Mets Rumors: A Roster Spot Belongs To Michael Conforto
New York Mets Rumors: With Juan Lagares questionable to start the season, Michael Conforto reportedly has the inside track to a roster spot.
New York Mets rumors have popped up in recent days with injuries popping up. Injuries at any time are tough to deal with, but when they occur with the regular season on the doorstep they cause a little more panic.
Over the weekend Mets center fielder, Juan Lagares strained his oblique against the Atlanta Braves. He was taken out of the game and was scheduled for an MRI on Monday. The Mets are unsure of whether or not Lagares will be ready for the regular season but do not seem to have plans to go outside the organization to fill the hole.
MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo said that the Mets do not sound interested in veteran Drew Stubbs. Stubbs opted out of his minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins on Sunday and is hoping to land elsewhere with a shot at a major league roster.
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If the Mets are not going to look outside the organization, one in-house option is Michael Conforto. If Lagares is unavailable for Opening Day, Marc Craig of Newsday reports that Conforto would be in line for a roster spot.
In a crowded Mets outfield, Conforto looked to be the odd man out. Jay Bruce, Curtis Granderson, and Yoenis Cespedes will probably see the most starts from right to left field. Lagares was expected to backup Granderson in center field, with Conforto being the fifth outfielder at best.
That does not sound like a role fit for Conforto; beginning the season in Triple-A seemed like the most likely route. But, with Lagares iffy for the start of the season, Conforto could slide into his vacated role as the backup center fielder to Granderson.
While Conforto probably won’t see consistent at-bats, he will see a lot more as the No.4 outfielder than No.5. How the Mets will deploy him is unknown at this point. Conforto, Granderson, and Bruce are all left-handed, so platooning them would make little sense. Terry Collins will have his hands full trying to juggle that lineup card every day.
Conforto has earned a spot with the big league club with his play during the spring. He has played well in the Grapefruit League, slashing .321/.345/.934 in 56 at-bats. He has hit three home runs, driving in five runs and scored seven times as well.
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Those numbers are strong enough to make the Mets roster right out of Spring Training. Talent has never been the question for Conforto; it has been trying to find him regular playing time. While he doesn’t project as an everyday player right now, if he carries his success from the spring over he could force his way into the lineup more often than not.