Mets Third Basemen

The Mets are attempting to tread water this season as their rebuilding phase enters its second season.  As such, they are proceeding with a mix of returning players, young players and prospects, and veteran free agents.  One area with a returning player in place is third base.

1.  David Wright:  Wright had a largely mediocre season last year.  He batted .254 with only 14 homers and 61 runs batted in, and he only stole 13 bases.  On the plus side, his defense was probably the best it had been since 2009.  The Mets are hoping for a stronger and healthier season from Wright this year, and they're hoping that the moved-in fences will allow for some of Wright's opposite-field power to return and for his defense to remain strong.

2.  Justin Turner:  The notion of Turner serving in any large capacity as a backup third baseman is probably remote, unless a major injury befalls Wright.  In all likelihood Turner will win the starting second base job and IF/LF Daniel Murphy will serve as Wright's backup.  But right now Turner is banking on his versatility, because if he doesn't win the second base job (against all odds) he'll be battling against IF Ronny Cedeno for the utility player job and against OF/2B Scott Hairston for the right-handed pinch hitter job, competitions he's not likely to win.

3.  Josh Satin:  Satin is a former College All-American and MVP of the Florida State League who has come up through the Mets system.  He got a call-up in September last season and didn't look too good, batting .200 in 25 at-bats.  To his credit, he was probably rushed to the Majors.  It looks like he'll need some more time at Buffalo before he's ready to conquer the Major Leagues.  He has still has options left so a demotion will not be terrible, but Satin is still competing for a job as a utility player and/or right-handed pinch hitter in Spring Training, although he's likely to lose both of those competitions to Cedeno and Hairston, respectively.

4.  Zach Lutz:  Lutz is a guy who has come up through the Mets system who they have opted to protect from the Rule V Draft by placing him on the 40-man roster.  Lutz spent an injury-riddled season at Buffalo in 2011, batting .295 with 11 homers in 220 at-bats.  In addition, Lutz is known more for his defense at third than for his bat.  He's probably ready for a job in the Majors now, though there doesn't seem to be a place for him.  It's possible he could be traded in Spring Training to a team who needs a third baseman, but until then he'll be competing against Turner, Satin, Cedeno, and Hairston for a spot on the team as a utility player or pinch hitter.

The Mets look like they have a lot of potential at third base, but the potential for results is questionable.  The Mets are hoping for a fully healthy season from Wright and a return to his 2008 levels with the fences being moved in, or at the very least a return to 2010 when he hit 29 homers and had over 100 runs batted in.  Turner is probably going to be the team's starting second baseman or playing second base at Buffalo.  Satin and Lutz are players who look somewhat promising and could help the team in the future.