After OF Moises Alou's career finally ended after yet another injury in 2008, the Mets turned to Minor League 3B Daniel Murphy and Minor League 1B Nick Evans to man left field. That trend continued in 2009 with OF Gary Sheffield providing the right handed part of the platoon. But injuries, poor defense, and a need at first base left the Mets without a left fielder. They thought that they solved that problem last season with one of the biggest free agent signings of the off season, but that proved not to be true.
1. Jason Bay: 2010 was a lost season for Bay. He missed nearly half of the season due to a concussion suffered after running into the wall at Dodger Stadium and his health will probably be in question for the remainder of his career. But things weren't going that good even when he was healthy. Bay did manage to bat .259 with ten stolen bases in his time, but his power and production numbers were way down. He hit six homers and had 47 runs batted in. The Mets wanted him to be somewhere around 23 home runs and 75 runs batted in at the time of his injury. GM Sandy Alderson and manager Terry Collins are hoping for a productive and injury-free season from Bay.
2. Lucas Duda: It appeared that Duda was taking a step back at the beginning of 2010. Now 24, he was starting the year at AA for the second season in a row and he hadn't lived up to his potential yet. But he got off to a quick start in Binghamton, hitting six home runs and knocking in 34 runs. He got promoted to AAA Buffalo and hit 17 home runs and drove in 53 runs. He got recalled when rosters expanded in September and continued his slugging ways, hitting four homers and driving in 13 runs, for a season total of 27 home runs and 100 runs batted in. Duda was named by LeRoy as an up-and-comer in the Mets system and will battle for a role as left handed bat off the bench. His primary competition will be IF/OF Daniel Murphy.
3. Angel Pagan: Pagan had his first full season in the Majors last year and he didn't disappoint, batting .290 with 37 stolen bases. He started off the year as a fourth outfielder but quickly usurped OF Gary Matthews Jr. in center field. When CF Carlos Beltran returned from injury Pagan replaced the concussed Bay in left. And when RF Jeff Francoeur was traded to the Texas Rangers Pagan took over in right. He'll play right field this year (there's a small chance he and Beltran may be flip-flopped) and the Mets are hoping that he can follow up his breakout season of last year with another strong year. Though he'll be a starter all season long, he may still fill in for Beltran and Bay.
4. Scott Hairston: Hairston was signed to a guaranteed contract this off season and is the front runner to make the team as a right handed bat off the bench. Hairston's a slugger who probably won't make a very consistent pinch hitter but his power can be useful to the Mets; he had ten home runs and 36 runs batted in in 295 at-bats last season for the San Diego Padres. Hairston's a natural infielder and is not strong defensively and shouldn't expect to see much time in left but if he's on the team he'll be in the mix.
5. Willie Harris: Harris was signed to a Minor League contract and invited to Spring Training by the Mets this off season. He had a bad year at the plate last season, finishing below the Mendoza line, though he did manage to hit ten home runs and drive in 32 runs in 224 at-bats. Harris is a speedster and is known primarily for his defense and penchant for making game-saving catches. He's the only reserve outfielder in the mix who can play center field, so he's the only logical choice as the front runner to win the fourth outfielder's job.
The Mets appear to be weak in left field. Bay may be past his prime and he has questions about his health. Duda has about a 50/50 shot at making the team as a left handed bat off the bench but will provide good depth even if it comes from Buffalo. Pagan will be a starter but will still be around as an insurance policy in left field. Hairston and Harris figure to make the team as reserves.
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