Mets all out of glove on right side of infield

SAN DIEGO — Last fall, Sandy Alderson realized the Mets had to change their approach to defense. It had never been a high priority when he was building around arms that overpowered hitters.

“When your pitchers aren’t striking everybody out, as we’ve had in the past, the defense becomes a little more important,’’ the Mets GM said in a press conference at Citi Field last September. “And I think probably recognition after this year that if we’re going to have pitching that puts the ball in play a little more, then the defense is going to be more of a priority,”

After a season in which the Mets finished dead last in defensive runs saved (-73) in the National League, improving the defense wasn’t that big of an assignment. And, technically, the Mets’ defense is better — than one other team in the NL heading into Friday night’s series-opener against the Padres.

The Mets were ahead of only the Phillies in defensive runs saved Friday at -12. The Phillies were last at -18. The Nationals had the third worst defensive runs saved ranking with a -4. But the Mets need to get better. So far, there have been some notable miscues and sloppy defense that have probably cost innings and games.

While pitchers talk about well placed hits, there has been some private grumbling about the defense within the organization. The Mets arms are pitching to a respectable 3.65 ERA, but with the team emphasizing pitching to contact and minimizing pitch counts, they really need to rely on their defense.

The right side of the infield has been a particular sore spot for some in the organization.

“I love his bat, but Asdrubal Cabrera’s range is like nothing, like a three,” one National League scout said. “His range is like a first baseman at second base.”

Cabrera has a -3 defensive runs saved rating. He has made some spectacular defensive plays, but has been unable to make some of the routine plays because of his diminished range, the scout said.

But, Cabrera has been critical on offense, hitting .326 with a .551 slugging percentage.

Adrian Gonzalez’s ability to move around first base has clearly diminished, the scout said. Gonzalez, a five-time All Star who was brought in as insurance for the rookie Dominic Smith, has a -1 rating. When the Mets signed him last winter, some in the organization said they would give it until May to see if it was working. With Gonzalez not producing at the plate and his defense not standing out, it might be time for a different look on the right side. They have limited options.

Smith, who ticked off the team by showing up late for a meeting in spring training, was also injured for most of camp, and he is not exactly forcing the Mets to call him up. The 22-yearold is hitting just .234 with seven extra-base hits, six RBI and 21 strikeouts in 78 at-bats.

The Mets have tried Wilmer Flores at first against left handed starters and he probably does deserve a chance to play more. The other option would be to have Jay Bruce move to first, a move he made a tad reluctantly in the past. Shifting Bruce would not only give the Mets a big bat at first base, but it would also loosen up the logjam in the outfield.

Signed at the major league minimum, Gonzalez was a cheap buy in case Smith, who disappointed at the end of last season, didn’t develop this spring.

“He looks a little better than he did last year, but his movement is limited,” another National League scout said of Gonzalez. Gonzalez is hitting just .203 with 12 RBI, 13 strikeouts and three extra-base hits in 70 at-bats. Gonzalez says he feels like he is more unlucky than struggling.

Mickey Callaway said that he sees good signs with Gonzalez, who missed most of the 2017 season with a back issue that he now has to manage.

“His exit velo, all the things to predict success other than are they catching it or not, are they hitting it at people, are really in line with his 2015 when he was going good in seasons past,” the Mets manager said.