PORT ST. LUCIE — Extra gamers nearly definitely will probably be added to the Mets roster as soon as the lockout concludes, and supervisor Buck Showalter acknowledged Friday that one other outfielder may very well be a consideration.
The Mets already signed free brokers Starling Marte and Mark Canha this offseason to affix Brandon Nimmo within the outfield, however past that there's haziness: Dominic Smith and Jeff McNeil can play the outfield, however are additionally commerce candidates.
“[The outfield] is one thing we have now talked about, the place we're,” Showalter mentioned, referring to his conversations with basic supervisor Billy Eppler. “We're on the identical web page with the whole lot the place that's involved. It’s a situation that we're analyzing to see if we really feel comfy with it. We’re at all times going to look inside first.”
Showalter isn’t supposed to debate main league gamers through the lockout, however at one level he slipped and mentioned “if” Michael Conforto indicators with one other crew. It may very well be the supervisor simply misspoke, however it additionally left room to marvel if the door may very well be ajar for a Conforto return. Conforto declined the Mets’ qualifying supply and stays a free agent. As soon as the lockout concludes, there will probably be a recreation of musical chairs for gamers to signal contracts, and that would profit the Mets in the event that they hope to re-sign Conforto to a brief deal.
The ratification of the common designated hitter would create further at-bats that would justify including one other high-end bat.
Showalter mentioned he expects the DH to profit the Mets.
“In years previous perhaps it was a bonus to not have one the best way the membership was constructed,” Showalter mentioned.
“However the best way it seems to be like we're going to be, I believe it'll match us higher. I used to be pulling for it for lots of causes — I believe for followers and the sport itself. However for us selfishly, I believe it matches higher.”
David Wright will probably be among the many visitor instructors in spring coaching, in accordance with Showalter. The previous Mets captain wasn’t in camp final yr due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Showalter is finishing his second week on the Mets’ spring coaching advanced, throughout which he has been relegated largely to assembly with workers members. The supervisor mentioned he might return dwelling to Dallas within the coming days, relying on the vibe he receives from the negotiations between the MLB and MLBPA that might finish the lockout. These discussions are scheduled to renew on Monday.
The Mets employed former pitcher Danny Barnes as an assistant coach on the main league workers. Barnes, 32, spent three seasons pitching for the Blue Jays. The Manhasset native has been pursuing a graduate diploma at Columbia. Barnes received’t have a selected function; Showalter in contrast him to a utility infielder.
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