Mets' Bench Nearly Complete with Ronny Cedeno

by Chris McShane on Jan 9, 2012 11:30 AM EST

On Friday, the Mets signed Ronny Cedeno to a one-year deal for approximately $1.2 million, presumably to back up middle infielders Ruben Tejada and Daniel Murphy alongside Justin Turner.

Thus far in his career Cedeno, who turns 29 in a few weeks, has hit .246/.286/.353. Despite his ineptitude in the on-base department, he's shown some flashes of moderate power, hitting 10 home runs in 2009 and 8 more in 2010 before only hitting 2 in 2011. Basically, the best-case scenario for Cedeno at the plate is Rod Barajas with a tiny bit more average and about half as many home runs.

While Defensive Runs Saved and UZR/150 consider Cedeno above-average at second base and just slightly below average at short, his game was good enough outside of his poor production at the plate for 1.1 and 1.4 fWAR and 1.0 and 1.6 rWAR over the past two years, respectively.

Cedeno's been mostly a regular player over the past couple of season with the Pirates, but if he continues to play as he has for the past two years and gets a moderate amount of playing time, he should at least be worth the $1.2 million he'll earn this season.

And if all else fails, perhaps you, like me, once had an AOL screen name using the name Cedeno because you were such a big fan of the 1999 Mets and will enjoy the fact that there's someone named Cedeno on the Mets now for nostalgic purposes.

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Until now

I was just unsure if I should go $97 per ticket for my family of four to see the Mets play the Astros on August 25 in the Caeser’s Box, or step it up big time to a $600 day by going $145 in the Metropolitan Box. It sounds so fancy, after all. But now, with Ronny Cedeno on board, it is settled. I am going all out to make sure I can see all of Cedeno in his glory… $200 a head for the Delta Silver club it is. My landlord will understand, believe you me.

"RBI’s does measure something – Wins."
-Bayonne Mets Fan on MMO

by Dandy Salderson on Jan 9, 2012 12:01 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Wait it out

— wait to get tickets from Stub Hub; there should be plenty of ’em and a lot cheaper.

by nj colgate field 24 on Jan 9, 2012 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 9, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Hey, don't knock the Delta Silver Club

there’s a meat carver in there.

That alone is worth the price of admission.

by tmu on Jan 9, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

tell me more

about freshly carved meats mmmmmmmmm

I hate Philadelphia so much.

by the caveman on Jan 9, 2012 2:41 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

What if the carving station were manned by

Tim McCarver?

Awesome, AMIRITE?

by tmu on Jan 9, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

McCarver the carver

I like it. He couldn’t be any worse at that than he is at color commentary.

by JoshNY on Jan 9, 2012 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, yes he could.

And I shudder to think of how that’s possible.

"And that's why anybody who invested with Lenny Dykstra should really call that number. Lawyers are standing by."

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 9, 2012 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

We get his fingers on the plate instead of meat?

Now, kids, being eaten by a crocodile is just like going to sleep; in giant blender.

by meigs1414 on Jan 10, 2012 8:47 AM EST up reply actions

Or maybe someone else's fingers.

"And that's why anybody who invested with Lenny Dykstra should really call that number. Lawyers are standing by."

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 10, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

isn't this

where our medical team does their internships?

Hoping the Wilpons become the Will-pawns

by exbrooklynite on Jan 9, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs

Only for the Hamstring studies.Chickens have been found to have a hamstring similar to

Homo Sapiens

by Putnan Prince on Jan 9, 2012 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe they get their meat from the Ghangis River.

Seems to be plenty of fresh meat there.

http://www.chinasmack.com/2010/pictures/filthy-india-photos-chinese-netizen-reactions.html

__________________________________________________________________
Really good kid.A very good player.Not a superstar. #BlameWilponz. Never Forget

by ScottfromPeekskill on Jan 10, 2012 12:30 AM EST up reply actions

Great Name

It’s a great baseball name. Evokes memories of the ’99 club and The Big Red Machine; nothing to get too excited about, but Mets need players like this. Time to add a pitcher or two.

by nj colgate field 24 on Jan 9, 2012 12:32 PM EST reply actions

Cedeno > Tejada

I see Cedeno outplaying Tejada.

Most arguments are really about context.

by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 9, 2012 1:06 PM EST reply actions

I see that position battle as deeply symbolic.

by tmu on Jan 9, 2012 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I don't

I don’t really see the need to have to do 40 man roster shuffling just to add Cedeno either. If there was a need, due to injury or other reasons, we have Valdespin on the 40 man roster already. He’s already going to be playing in Triple A. And if he’s playing like he did last year it’s not a terrible idea to call him up to cover a 15 day DL stint or to see if he’s in fact the new SS for this team.

You always root for laundry. Of course, you'd like to have good players in that laundry as well.

by MetsCity on Jan 9, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

I think its likely

This means Turner won’t be on the opening day roster, probably due to trade. There is no reaon to have Turner and Cedeno on the bench. Cedeno’s glove is much better at SS or 2B and he could even back-up 3B in a pinch (though I think it is likely the Mets roster a 1B/3B backup with a better bat). I don’t think this was really a necessary move, but it is probably a very slight bench upgrade.

Amazin Avenue News Guru
http://metropolitantales.com
@jeffpaternostro

by Jeffrey Paternostro on Jan 9, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

This

Cedeno was brought in the play 3B.

For when Wright is traded.

To the Phillies.

"RBI’s does measure something – Wins."
-Bayonne Mets Fan on MMO

by Dandy Salderson on Jan 9, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

If anybody ends up at 3B

When Wright is traded, I would bet on Murphy.

Amazin Avenue News Guru
http://metropolitantales.com
@jeffpaternostro

by Jeffrey Paternostro on Jan 9, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

i get why dubs will be gone

but is it a must? alot of folks here believe its a forgone conclusion. if CRG does what they think is right, ie bankruptcy & sell, then dubs could be saved right

I hate Philadelphia so much.

by the caveman on Jan 9, 2012 2:47 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I really have no idea

He’s at his lowest value point right now, so a lot will depend on how he plays the first half of this year. If say, the Tigers or Rockies need to add a bat at the deadline, I could see them making a strong offer for Wright if he is back to even his 2010 form. I simply don’t think we have enough information about how much finances are going to impact the Mets FO decision making process in 2012 to really know if a trade is likely or not.

Amazin Avenue News Guru
http://metropolitantales.com
@jeffpaternostro

by Jeffrey Paternostro on Jan 9, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Because people are doom & gloom and silly

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 9, 2012 4:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

If the Wilponsa are not in sell mode before the trade deadline of his final year

there is little reason to believe they will have the money to keep him, so a trade wouldn’t be unimaginable.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 9, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

They trade him in july then Citifield will be a ghost town.

They will lose more in ticket sales than they would have saved on his contract.

Real dumb move.

__________________________________________________________________
Really good kid.A very good player.Not a superstar. #BlameWilponz. Never Forget

by ScottfromPeekskill on Jan 10, 2012 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

I thought more along the lines of

if CRG does what they do, Dubs being gone will be because they do what they do.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jan 9, 2012 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

Murph will be gone long before David!

by Putnan Prince on Jan 9, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Cedeno is not a 3b

Only played 13 games there, and 3 starts his whole career.

I think he was primarily brought here for his SS capabilities. If they just wanted someone to fill in at 3b if/when Wright leaves, they could call up someone from the minors or likely would have signed more of a corner OFer than a middle infielder.

Maybe if Wright was traded, Murphy would move back to 3b (though unless Havens proves ready or Murph is awful at 2b…I’d keep him at 2b), and Cedeno will become the 2b. But really if they were just concerned about 2b and 3b, they’d be fine with Murph and Turner

by LGNYM on Jan 10, 2012 7:50 AM EST up reply actions

Whatever you're smoking,pass it on.

by Putnan Prince on Jan 10, 2012 9:37 AM EST up reply actions

Turner

Can see him not being on the team, because his usefulness is not really evident at this point. He’s not an everyday 2B, and he can’t backup SS or 3B well enough to stick as a super sub. Again, though, I don’ think adding Cedeno was necessary. His contract is decent so it’s not real problem there, but the need to cut someone from the 40 man to add a bench piece seems redundant, when there is players on the 40 man who can be called up to the bench if need be. But if it’s for Turner, then I guess it’s not really a big problem.

P.S. Please dump Carrasco to make room for Hairston.

You always root for laundry. Of course, you'd like to have good players in that laundry as well.

by MetsCity on Jan 9, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

If thre is any position Turner can play average defense at

it is 3B.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 9, 2012 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

What will a 2 week stint as a DL replacement for Valdespin tell the team

over and above what he might do in AAA as a full time shortstop? I mean, I’ve read all the notes about the tools and he’s a had a few nice BABIP driven seasons, but I think the teams best served by playing him in AAA to seem if he can develop more plate discipline, letting Cedeno be the guy to give Rubes a day off when he needs it.

I do concur with the idea that Cedeno’s presence makes Turner a bit less useful, but realistically, Turners bat as unimpressive as is, is still probably better than Cedenos, so while there is some redundancy positionally, their skill sets really don’t overlap.

by SoCal Metfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

True

But Turner is not nearly a good enough hitter to roster him merely for his bat. He’s not good enough defensively to be a late inning caddy, and Cedeno is just as flexible positionally. Cedeno has one above average major league skill, glove at an up the middle position. Turner has zero.

Amazin Avenue News Guru
http://metropolitantales.com
@jeffpaternostro

by Jeffrey Paternostro on Jan 9, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

You see the 29 year old with a career .282 wOBA outplaying

the 21 year old with the career .311 wOBA? Really?

I mean, that’s your prerogative and all, but it doesn’t seem like a likely outcome.

by SoCal Metfan on Jan 9, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

AAA

The Cedeno that OPS-ed 900+ in AAA is in there somewhere!!

Most arguments are really about context.

by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 9, 2012 11:18 PM EST up reply actions

Let's not forget that the Iowa Cubs play in the PCL,

one of the best hitters’ leagues in the minors. In comparison, he put up a .552 OPS in A+ ball and a .729 OPS in AA. I’m not going to take his AAA numbers with more than a grain of salt, especially considering he has seven (7!!!) big league seasons of cumulative 68 OPS+ offense to his name.

Unless he makes some big adjustments or David Wright injures Ruben Tejada’s ankle, the guy’s not starting at shortstop or second and he’s probably not anything more than a bench player.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!
You might know me as mistermet.

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 9, 2012 11:26 PM EST up reply actions

Bonds

I say we sign Bonds to play SS to generate the craziest 0 WAR season ever.

Most arguments are really about context.

by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 9, 2012 11:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Does anyone feel like lobbying that BA, SLG, OPB and OPS must statutorily be immediately followed by (MLE)?

So Cedeno’s stat would look like .900 OPS (,02 MLE).

by Curtis3331 on Jan 9, 2012 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

.

Interesting. When I typed “insert sarcasm font” nothing happened. Oh well, maybe it works as it stands.

by Curtis3331 on Jan 9, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions

Are you sure you did it right?

"And that's why anybody who invested with Lenny Dykstra should really call that number. Lawyers are standing by."

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 10, 2012 1:59 AM EST up reply actions

No.

by Curtis3331 on Jan 10, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

Uh, no

Absolutely not is Cedeno > Tejada.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 9, 2012 4:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

LOL what?

Not in this galaxy.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!
You might know me as mistermet.

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 9, 2012 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

lets see, defensively worse

offensively negligibly better, age wise way less time to improve. I’ll take the young mediocre cheap player over the older, slightly more expensive one any way.

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Jan 10, 2012 12:25 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Let's face the FAX.Our bench is filled with cheap,borderline major league players.

by Putnan Prince on Jan 9, 2012 4:34 PM EST reply actions

what team's isn't?

Am I doing this right?

by brooklynberger on Jan 9, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

the yankees

all stars all of them

I hate Philadelphia so much.

by the caveman on Jan 9, 2012 9:53 PM EST via Android app up reply actions 1 recs

The winning ones.

by Putnan Prince on Jan 9, 2012 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

Not really

This year’s playoff rosters were filled with Nick Puntos, Elliot Johnsons, and Willie Bloomquists.

Bench players, aside from the rare Tony Phillips super utility player, are by definition cheap, borderline major league players. Otherwise, wouldn’t they be starting players?

"Let them be stud muffins"
-Tom Seaver
Proud Mets, Jets, Knicks, Islanders fan.

by piazza62 on Jan 9, 2012 10:53 PM EST up reply actions

Allen Craig

Was technically a bench player and all he does is mash.

Craig > Most Mets hitters.

Most arguments are really about context.

by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 9, 2012 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

That LaRussa is a genius, I tell you what.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 10, 2012 12:08 AM EST up reply actions

They wanted him to play right field for them next year

but he had surgery, so they had to sign Beltran. So he could be a bench player again, but I’ve heard they’re going to play Carlos in cf, which is insane. For all we know, Allen Craig is the new Shane Spencer.

"Let them be stud muffins"
-Tom Seaver
Proud Mets, Jets, Knicks, Islanders fan.

by piazza62 on Jan 10, 2012 12:56 AM EST up reply actions

And if bench players excite you

Check out Mets prospect Danny Muno. He had a monster season for the ‘clones, with great plate discipline. He’s projected to be a utility player, but a good one, I think he can be the next Tony Phillips.

"Let them be stud muffins"
-Tom Seaver
Proud Mets, Jets, Knicks, Islanders fan.

by piazza62 on Jan 9, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions