ALIKE IT OR NOT
Mets, Yankees loaded with similarities
PORT ST. LUCIE — You have the burly right-handed hitter who probably had the job to lose. And you have the lefty whose reputation has dimmed with injury and lack of production.
Are we talking about the Mets firstbase job or Yankees? The answer: Exactly. Anyone else noticed the Mets and Yankees are having the same first-base battle?
The burly righties Pete Alonso and Luke Voit showed up with the job to lose — and haven’t. Instead, they have fortified their standings with strong springs. The fading lefties Dominic Smith and Greg Bird were charged with reviving their statuses and trying to win jobs. They also have had terrific, resuscitating exhibition seasons.
When camps opened it was dubious that all four could make their respective teams, but injuries to Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie (both likely to begin the season on the Injured List) and Aaron Hicks (certain to be on the IL) have provided scenarios for all to make the Opening Day rosters, though that is more likely with the Mets than the Yankees.
Both New York clubs would be better structured if the lefty won the job, making the rosters more flexible. J.D. Davis and eventually Frazier would serve as the righty complement to Alonso. DJ LeMahieu would do so for Bird — and in the Yankees’ case they are just short on lefty hitters, especially with Didi Gregorius out months and Hicks sidelined at least to begin the year.
But both New York general managers have established a blueprint that leads to the burly righty.
Brian Cashman termed Voit as the front-runner based on how he went from small trade to big deal late last season. And Voit, with a 1.061 OPS after go- ing 1-for-3 with a home run in the Yankees’ 7-4 exhibition win over the Braves Monday night, has only fortified that he was no fluke. Bird (1.089 OPS) for now looks more like insurance and a potential trade chip.
Brodie Van Wagenen, meanwhile, pledged the best 25 players will break camp. And Alonso with eight extra-base hits (four homers) and a 1.058 OPS in 49 at-bats has outplayed a fitter Smith (.869 OPS). But service time — despite Van Wagenen’s assurances that it will not — must be a factor. It would feel terrible today if Alonso did not make the team, but worse if he becomes a star and for the matter of artificially keeping him down for two weeks to begin this season, the Mets lost out an extra year of service time. Smith’s strong play, though, gives the Mets a hedge. Alonso could open as the first baseman and if he takes off, so be it. A young player thriving tends to boost an entire franchise because there is youthful energy and the fans tend to love a homegrown success and multiple employees of an organization feels responsible for the acquisition and development of the player.
But if Alonso struggles, the Mets can bail quickly to Smith and send Alonso to the minors and get the extra year of service that way. Smith at least provides legitimate cover for that win-win situation.
First base is not the lone place the Mets and Yankees have similarities. Some thoughts on others: Jed Lowrie vs. DJ LeMahieu
They have been two of the majors’ better second basemen, yet both signed two-year contracts (Lowrie for $20 million, LeMahieu $24 million) to play elsewhere. Lowrie was expected to man mainly third, but a knee capsule sprain has derailed him. LeMahieu is slated to get regular at-bats at first, second and third — lots of second when Gleyber Torres gives Troy Tulowitzki rests. Can LeMahieu provide offensive impact outside of Coors Field? Can Lowrie, 35 next month, stay healthy?
Jeurys Familia vs. Adam Ottavino
Both signed three-year deals — Familia for $30 million, Ottavino for $27 million — to return home: Familia to the organization in which he grew up and Ottavino to the team he rooted for growing up in Brooklyn.
Yoenis Cespedes vs. Jacoby Ellsbury
In the money for nothing division, Cespedes will begin the year on the IL after having surgery to remove spurs from both heels. He played once after May 13 last year. He has two years at $58.5 million left on his four-year, $110 million pact. Ellsbury did not play at all last season, mainly due to a torn hip labrum. He will begin this season on the IL, as well, with two years at $47.3 million left on his seven-year, $153 million pact.
Does either play this year? Provide impact? Does either shake the reputation that they do not burn to play? Mickey Callaway vs. Aaron Boone
Each is in his second year as manager. Callaway begins more on the griddle, in part because the Mets were far worse last year and he was hired by Sandy Alderson not Van Wagenen. Boone has Cashman’s endorsement. But he also finished second in the AL East and lost the Division Series last year to another first-year manager, Boston’s Alex Cora, whose touch was near impeccable in 2018. Boone has an edge on Callaway, but can he demonstrate Cora’s persistent deft touch?