PORT ST. LUCIE – Jeff McNeil’s hat trick playing third baseman on Sunday – he made a pitching and pitching error in addition to another in a missed catch – offered a reminder of why the Mets removed him from the position this season past.
Uncomfortable especially with the throws, McNeil moved to the left field in 2020 and also operated at second base, behind Robinson Cano. With Cano suspended all this season after testing positive for a banned drug to improve performance for the second time, McNeil figures primarily as second baseman. But there are also questions about whether JD Davis is a full-time third baseman, leaving manager Luis Rojas to try out different options this spring.
“We believe in [McNeil’s] the possibility of playing third, but if you want to classify his positions I know that he is more acclimatized playing in second base and even in the left field, but in the past he has seen third base well “, said Rojas after the Mets and the Marlins would play a -4 display tie at Clover Park. “I know we can go back to last year when he also struggled a bit in the third, but we think he can play there.”
According to Rojas, the most likely Plan B at third base is Jonathan Villar, who destroyed a three-run homer as a second baseman. Veteran Villar arrived this offseason with a $ 3.55 million one-year contract, which gave the Mets a veritable safety field, behind Francisco Lindor, as well as someone who can play second and third. .
Villar, who has not played third base since 2016, began occupying the position in a game last week and continues to amass representatives during pre-match training. Villar could also make an occasional turn on the outside field, where he has played in moderation in his career.
“They paid me the money, so if they need me to play off the field, I’ll go out there,” Villar said. “Whatever position they want me to take, I’ll be ready to play anything. If they want me to act as a catcher, I will do it ”.
Team officials liked Davis ’first game at third base. A notable adjustment has been his repositioning to not play so deep, reducing his chances of being hit on slow ground in front of him.
But the Mets may also want to find opportunities for Villar’s left-footed bat and see third base as the best option.
“He’ll have more exposure in the third camp than McNeil in the camp,” Rojas said. “[Villar] and JD will be the two who play the most at third base and we want to see Mac at the beginning of the field playing at third and maybe we’ll see him again. “
While it could be argued that McNeil would be better served only by concentrating on second base, there is value for versatility.
“Spring training is for that and only to give [McNeil] a little more exposure and to make sure he feels comfortable and clicks on the position again, but I think he can play with it, ”said Rojas.
McNeil’s chances of playing off the field could be restricted by the additions of Kevin Pillar and Albert Almora Jr. Also, the lack of a universal DH indicates that Dominic Smith will start most of the time on the left field. But expect McNeil to have chances left before the camp ends, as well as at least another look at the third.
“We want to see the combinations,” Rojas said. “We want to see the different positions and how the boys look there. It is won every day. Today we haven’t played a good defense, but you can be taught a lot of that and it can definitely tell you where to work. “