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Mets Mulling Another Round Of Moving In The Fences At Citi Field

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If you can't beat it, keep shrinking it.

Not scoring runs the way they want to, the Mets are considering moving in the fences yet again at Citi Field.

The state-of-the-art stadium has afforded its tenants few advantages during its six-year existence. The Mets, who have been one of the weakest-hitting teams in the sport during that time, have messed with the outfield set-up twice before. Following the 2010 season an 8-foot high wall was put in front of the 16-foot wall in center field. After the 2011 season all the fences were set at 8 feet and were moved closer in left field, right-center and right.

Now, three years later, the Mets are hitting more home runs, but not nearly enough to manager Terry Collins' liking. They hit a total of 139 in 2012, 130 in 2013 and 113 so far this season.

"I think it's going to help us a little bit confidence-wise when you get in that batter's box and say, 'Hey, look, I can use the field and do some damage here,' because that's what a lot of guys in this lineup are paid to do, and that's get big hits. I think it would be great for us " Collins told the NY Post recently.

And while it's true the Mets have kept payroll low for several years, which has prevented them from landing difference-making power hitters, they do have players with pop. Lucas Duda, Curtis Granderson, David Wright and Travis d'Arnaud, who have combined for just 66 homers this season, would likely see a spike in production if the outfield wasn't so cavernous.

"It's something that we had talked about the possibility of in the past and we continue to look at it," general manager Sandy Alderson said. "We brought the fences in a couple years ago. It's not about tailoring the ballpark to a particular player or a particular composition of team, it's about making Citi Field as fan-friendly and as exciting as we can make it."

Obviously by moving in the fences the Mets would also be making life easier for their opponents, but Collins said it's a risk he's willing to take because he's extremely confident in the organization's young pitching, including Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Zack Wheeler, along with veterans Dillon Gee, Bartolo Colon and Jon Niese, who are all signed next season.

"Yes, it's going to help the other team, too, but I go back to what I've said in the past: we pitch pretty good in some [hitters'] parks," Collins said.

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