More teams placing importance on super subs
outfield (84 games), second base (nine) and even shortstop (five).
He hit .313 with 11 homers and 76 RBIs while shifting around to all nine spots in the batting order.
“A lot of times, with young guys, when they struggle, if they haven’t done it, you’re like, ‘Oh, man, are they over their head a little bit?’ ” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “But when they’ve done it, it’s nice to know that.”
The New York Mets discuss the versatility of their players in the earliest days of spring training. Wilmer Flores has been a starter at every infield spot. This spring, the team is planning to give infielder Jose Reyes some work in the outfield, and outfielder Jay Bruce will spend time at first base. This could be especially important for a team that doesn’t know how much it will get from David Wright after neck surgery.
“If somebody goes down, can we move this guy or that guy here?” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “You just never know when all of a sudden you look up, as we saw last year, and we need help. That versatility — if we have it and can make it work — will help us get better.”
Some players are taking this versatility thing to the extreme.
Christian Bethancourt, who made it to the big leagues as a catcher, is now looking to pitch for the San Diego Padres.
“I’ve never done that before, but we created a plan,” he said. “I’m getting better on the mound, and they clocked me between 94 and 98. My breaking ball now is a cutter, and throw that around 88, 89. I’m working on a curve and a change.”