De Aza arrives without clear role on squad
PORT ST. LUCIE — Alejandro De Aza might have the cushiest $5.75 million job in America: Sit in the dugout and watch the Mets play.
The veteran outfielder received his contract in December with the idea he would share time in center field this season for the Mets. But that was before Yoenis Cespedes seemed like a realistic possibility to return, and De Aza’s lefty bat was considered a respectable complement to Juan Lagares from the right side.
Cespedes and the Mets ultimately reconnected — with the player signing a threeyear contract worth $75 million that contains an optout after this season — leaving De Aza to report to spring training Tuesday as mostly an insurance policy.
“Right now we just let camp progress and see what happens with all of our players, not just De Aza,” general manager Sandy Alderson said. “We’ll see when we’re into spring training how things fit together, so I wouldn’t anticipate any decision any time soon regarding his playing time or his position on the team.”
The 31yearold De Aza played for the Orioles, Red Sox and Giants last season and posted a .755 OPS. He did his best work against righties, posting an .800 OPS, which included seven homers in 281 atbats.
As somebody who signed a freeagent deal, De Aza would have to give his consent to be traded before June 14, but likely would give his permission if it meant jumping into a more prominent role and potentially increasing his value for his next contract.
De Aza said he was unaware the Mets need his permission to trade him before that date.
“I am going to have to ask my agent,” he said. “The only thing I know how to do is play baseball.”
A club source indicated the Mets are not in active trade discussions involving De Aza and expect to begin the regular season with him on the roster. The club’s big fear is losing a starting outfielder for an extended period and not having a lefty bat to complement Lagares.
De Aza said he certainly understood the Mets’ decision to sign Cespedes.
“This is a game and you will do anything as an owner that you think is better to win games and to get a championship and that’s the key,” De Aza said.
Michael Conforto and Curtis Granderson will handle the corner outfield positions, with one occasionally sitting against a lefty to get Lagares into the lineup. De Aza has the fifth outfielder’s tag and may be relegated to occasional pinchhitting appearances.
“He might have a big role on this team, it’s just, we haven’t gotten on the field yet,” manager Terry Collins said. “I’ve known this kid for many years and just told him to get ready to play, and there’s only certain things you can control in our game and that’s how you play. If he goes and plays good, we’ve got to find a way to put him in the lineup once in awhile.”
Collins’ history with De Aza dates to 2001 in the Dodgers farm system. Collins was the minorleague field coordinator when De Aza was signed as a 17yearold free agent from the Dominican Republic.
“He was a skinny guy the last time I saw him,” Collins said. “He’s a little bit better hitter, a little stronger than he once was, but he’s a good defender. He was a center fielder when I first saw him, but he plays the corners now and he gives us some options to move things around.
“What he is right now is a veteran lefthanded bat on the bench, which is a position we’re certainly going to need.”
De Aza will embrace the fresh start — if it ever arrives with the Mets.
“[Last year] wasn’t my best year, but I’m hoping this one is better,” he said. “I’m just going to think about this year and try to do better than I did last year.”