The Curious Case of Todd Frazier vs. Wilmer Flores
In the context of life, baseball careers are transient in nature. Unfortunately, oft times the end is not always pleasant. More players fail to leave the game on their own terms than those whom retire more gracefully and personally satisfied with their body of work.
When the situation involves a locally venerated player such as David Wright, conflicting emotions and opinions usually rule the day. In truth, no graceful manner exists for reconciling the physical condition of David Wright and his continuing inactive status among (us) Mets fans, the organization, nor Wright himself.
That's why at this juncture in David's career, I prefer he solely focus on quality of life issues beyond the diamond. David is still young in the game of life. There's no reason for him to risk a future potentially compromised by physical limitations when an honest, introspective, responsible assessment of his ongoing condition can prevent just that.
I'm no doctor, but, yes, I'm suggesting one of the greatest Mets players of all-time finally retire.
He's done enough.
At the same time, I'm also not looking to disparage or cast blame over what has transpired at third base in Wright's absence.
The Mets essentially spent much of the 2015 and 2016 seasons crossing their fingers, and adopting a wait and see approach with regard to Wright, whom was limited to just 75 total games over that time. Then, of course, he missed all of the 2017 season.
At least ten different players have manned third base over the last three seasons in lieu of Wright, with none seizing it outright.
- Eric Campbell; Matt Reynolds; Jose Reyes; Juan Uribe; Wilmer Flores; T.J. Rivera; Ty Kelly; Daniel Muno; Kelly Johnson; Neil Walker; Asdrubal Cabrera.
Therefore, it can be argued positively that signing Todd Frazier was a pragmatic, proactive off-season acquisition, and that the matter of third base is, for the moment, closed.
Frazier is 30-years old, a third baseman by trade, and a veteran of seven major league seasons. He provides a short term yet solid solution - just the way I like it. And at $17 million for two seasons, he is also price worthy - just the way the Mets like it.
He provides the line-up with a measure of protection, and particularly helps break up the left-handed bats of Michael Conforto, Jay Bruce, Brandon Nimmo, and Adrian Gonzalez/Dom Smith.
Over the course of a full season, none of the aforementioned back-ups to David Wright quite match up to Todd Frazier's career 162 game averages ...
Unless you're Wilmer Flores, that is ...
Here are Wilmer Flores' and Todd Frazier's overall totals for the last two seasons:
- Flores: 213 games; 697 at-bats; 31 doubles; 34 home runs; 101 RBI; .269/.313/.478.
- Frazier: 305 games; 1,064 at-bats; 40 doubles; 67 home runs; 174 RBI; .219/.323/.446.
Wilmer is still only 26-years old. There is a part of me that still believes he can yet approach the .300 hitter he often demonstrated himself to be throughout his minor league career.
He played a career high 137 games as a 23-year old in 2015, slashing .263/.295/.446, with 22 doubles, 16 home runs, and a career high 59 RBI. He is averaging .267/.307/.455, with 15 home runs and 53 RBI in 375 at-bats over his last three seasons in the majors. And last year, he established career highs in home runs (18), slugging (.488), and batting average (.271), in just 336 at-bats.
Intriguing ... isn't it?
Defensively, though, not so much.
Todd Frazier owns a career .965 fielding average at third base. Wilmer owns a .943 mark in 133 career games at the hot corner, and last year posted an unsightly .929 FA through 59 games at third.
I just feel the Mets have done more to hinder Wilmer Flores than help him. Then again, performance trumps all. And that's why the Mets went off campus in order to stabilize third base.
Frazier is the better known and more reliable variable in this equation.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Say what you feel. The worse comment you can make is the one you do not make.