The Mets are in the second year of a rebuilding program, and have now endured three straight losing seasons. They are attempting to tread water this season with an eclectic mix of returning veterans, young players and prospects, and free agent signees. One area with a returning veteran is left field.
1. Jason Bay: Bay is returning to complete the third year of a four-year deal in a Mets uniform. Last season did not go well for Bay, as he spent some time on the disabled list with a back injury and only batted .245 with an alarming 109 strikeouts. The Mets are hoping for a fully healthy season from Bay and a return to his 2009 form this season.
2. Scott Hairston: Hairston was re-signed this off-season to once again serve as a right-handed bat off the bench. Last season produced mixed results for Hairston, who finished the season on the disabled list and only batted .235 in 132 at-bats, although he did manage to hit seven home runs in those at-bats. The Mets are hoping that Hairston can stay healthy over the course of a full season, provide stability off the bench against left-handed pitching, and produce a double digit total of home runs.
3. Juan Lagares: Lagares is a player coming up through the Mets system who was placed on the 40-man roster to protect from the Rule V Draft. He had a good season last year, batting .349 in 470 Minor League at-bats, although he's not known as a good defensive outfielder. Lagares doesn't really stand much of a chance of making the team, as he's probably headed to Binghamton to start this season.
4. Vinny Rottino: Rottino is a career Minor Leaguer whom the Mets have signed to a Minor League contract and invited to Spring Training. He batted .167 in 12 at-bats in a September call-up with Florida last season, but batted .304 in 467 at-bats with New Orleans and showed versatility by playing in 39 games at catcher and 11 games at first. Rottino doesn't really have much of a chance of making the team, but he's good for depth and will probably get a recall in September.
The Mets don't look good in left field. They have moved in the fences at Citi Field due in large part to the offensive struggles of Bay, but he was essentially an automatic out last season and the location of the fences probably won't change that. Hairston is a decent right-handed bat off the bench with some power but he can't be expected to play much in left as he is a bad outfielder. Lagares is a player that the Mets are looking at but he shouldn't be expected to make his big league debut until sometime late in the 2013 season. Rottino is an interesting player to have around for depth, but that's about it.
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