Scout On Mets' Infield Defense With Flores: 'Good Luck With That'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Mets are willing to sacrifice defense for offensive productivity.
That's why general manager Sandy Alderson designated shortstop Omar Quintanilla for assignment, called up Wilmer Flores and, in all likelihood, sent Ruben Tejada to the bench.
The Mets have gotten nothing offensively from the shortstop position thus far this season. Quintanilla batted .207 with one extra-base hit in 29 at-bats for New York. And Tejada -- who may no longer be the starter -- is hitting .183 with two extra-base hits over 82 at-bats.
Quintanilla was solid in the field, however, committing one error in 13 games, and Tejada has made two errors in 26 games.
But defense doesn't keep you in the lineup -- not when you're hitting your weight.
Flores has struggled with the glove in Triple-A this season, committing seven errors in 25 games for the Las Vegas 51s.
"I saw him at shortstop and he was serviceable," one scout told ESPN.com. "He's solid on routine plays with limited range to his left and right."
For what it's worth, Tejada has never shown great range. And Flores was crushing the ball in Vegas prior to being called up. The 22-year-old hit .307 with five homers and 25 RBIs in the minors.
Still, it could get ugly for New York defensively when balls are hit on the ground. David Wright is as good as it gets, but second baseman Daniel Murphy and first baseman Lucas Duda also have limited range.
"Oh boy!" the scout said in regard to the infield, according to the website. "Good luck with that."
In his first game back with the big club, Flores is batting seventh and playing shortstop in the Mets' series opener against the Phillies at Citi Field.
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