GNAC-Give Nick A Chance

by Hoyadestroya85 on Apr 21, 2010 12:00 PM EDT

The subject of Nick Evans (who?) is a sensitive one around here and while trying to conquer the internets today I found something interesting. According to Adam Rubin (he undoubtedly lobbied for this information,) Nick Evans is out of Minor League options after this season. Since we basically know that he will never be a regular for the Mets, what is the best course of action? It's not like the Mets can simply stash him to use against left handers as a DH and the outfield spots are pretty much set for years to come. Are we content with him being a bench player or would it be more worthwhile in the long haul to shop him and see if The Mets can get any kind of value or perhaps package him with another prospect to get something useful? I really don't know what the best course of action is, because Nick is a righty bat on a team that needs more help from the left side. At the same time, it would be nice to give him an opportunity to prove himself in the Bigs for more than a quick glance but there is a big prospect already playing his position. Ultimately I feel like it's going to come down to the missing man and the Irish Hammer and I think we all know who is going to remain on the team. I'm fairly confident that he won't be able to clear waivers in 2011, so I think the best thing to do would be to trade Nick and try and get something out of him.. maybe someone else will see what we all do.

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Comments

Obligatory "Who is Nick Evans?" joke.

But, yeah, agreed. At this point, I’d be okay with the Mets sending him elsewhere just because he’s not going to have any place on the big league club in the foreseeable future. He’s blocked at pretty much any position he could potentially play outside of RH pinch-hitter, or maybe third-string catcher if he wanted to go that route. Send him to KC and see what he can do for someone else.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Apr 21, 2010 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think his value as trade bait is too high

He is basically a AAAA type at best right now , a decent hitter without a real position. Why not keep him as a super utility bench player / platoon player?
As far as the competition with him and Murphy can’t one of them play second? I think I read somewhere that Murphy played second in the minors at some point.

by Blame-everyone-else on Apr 21, 2010 1:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yes, he has limited exposure to second.

He wasn’t particularly good at it, however.

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by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Apr 21, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I keep hearing this.

I could be wrong, but didn’t the AFL/second base experiment end because he got injured, not because of his performance?

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Apr 21, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

If he continues to hit, he'll have decent enough trade value.

Keep in mind that he’s only 23…the Mets brought him up pretty young. He and Carter will be out of options next year, and I really can’t see all of Murph, Evans, and Carter on the bench. One of the three almost has to be traded or DFA’d next season, and I think of the three Evans age and RH bat will probably make him the most valuable.

Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...

by Stephen Schmidt on Apr 21, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Tatis won't be on the team forever

I hope. Never know with Omar at the wheel though.

Evans can maybe take on that role next year.

by theflicker on Apr 21, 2010 3:20 PM EDT reply actions

We need a backup catcher, a guy that can play shortstop, and a guy that can play center.

That really only leaves 2 bench spots for guys like Evans, Murphy, and Carter. Carter and Evans are out of options next year, so unless we send Murph down we really need to move one of the two while we can still get something for them.

Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...

by Stephen Schmidt on Apr 21, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if Tejada creates an exception

In general, you’re right. But Tejada is a no-hit, all-glove guy, and it makes a lot of sense to use him as a starting 2B who shifts to SS when Reyes isn’t playing. Effectively, you’d have a Tatis-type as your backup 2B and plug the SS depth chart that way.

by Dan Lewis on Apr 21, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

The other option would be a guy who can play both center and SS, but with Pagan already in the fold I just don't see it happening.

Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...

by Stephen Schmidt on Apr 21, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

It really would be interesting to see Murph get a few reps at 2nd when he gets back.

Now that Ike’s up, we may get to see if he’s actually got the ability to be a viable plan B at 2nd.

Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...

by Stephen Schmidt on Apr 21, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

it would be a good way

to get another lefty bat in the order and give Castillo rest without Cora’s option vesting.

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by Hoyadestroya85 on Apr 21, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

If they put him at second

I’d rather see him do so in AAA before throwing him into the fire with the big club. Not necessarily because he couldn’t handle the position, which I think he can, but just because I’d rather see him get a couple of weeks at second base in games that don’t matter (sorry, Buffalo. The games might end up not mattering here, tho!) instead of in live MLB games.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Apr 21, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd be cool with him getting subbed in for an inning or two later in games.

I mean honestly, how much worse could he really field there than Castillo. On top of that, by the time he gets back the games might matter less than AAA ones do.

Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...

by Stephen Schmidt on Apr 21, 2010 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I can see that.

I think I’d prefer getting him into full nine-inning games at AAA with the idea of really making him learn the position instead of mop-up duty (of sorts) a few innings a week.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Apr 21, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I can't imagine he could learn a whole new position in a couple of weeks

besides its been said before but its worth repeating, It would be extremely hard to do worse defensively than Castillo, even hardly playing the position. Add his 50 points of OPS over Castillo and he’s more valuable to the Mets learning the position in the Majors.

by Blame-everyone-else on Apr 22, 2010 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions

also

the chances are he’ll make a few mistakes here and there, and might look pretty bad at times, even if he ends up being a decent 2b. If he makes those mistakes at Buffalo, well, no biggie. If he makes them in NY, the fans and media will determine that he can’t play second and we’ll have a repeat of the LF debacle from last season.

2009 Did Not Happen

by cjmulrain on Apr 23, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions