Mets Need Todd Frazier Back
Right now, the Mets have the worst defense in the National League, and they have the worst left side of the infield defense. Amed Rosario has been the worst shortstop in the National League, and J.D. Davis has been the worst infielder in all of baseball.
Now, it is fair to point out these are small sample sizes. However, historically, both of these players have been poor defenders. Considering this is their respective histories, the Mets are in desperate need for a defensive upgrade at third. Fortunately, they already have a very good defensive infielder on their 40 man roster. It’s just a matter of when he will be available to play.
During Spring Training, Todd Frazier suffered an injury. As a result, he opened the season on the Injured List. For a player who had never been on the Injured List over the first seven years of his career, Frazier has now landed there three times over the past year plus.
So far, it has been slow going for Frazier. Over 10 rehab games for St. Lucie, Frazier has struggled hitting .200/.282/.200. However, yesterday, he finally broke out. He was 1-for-2 with a run, home run, three RBI, and two walks.
That could be a sign he’s finally ready and not a moment too soon.
The Mets have lost four of their last five games with their defense being a culprit. Davis plays way too deep, he has difficulty getting in front of balls, and his throws have been very poor. Really, his defense has been hurting the team.
Defense is one thing Frazier does really well. Since 2017, his 12 DRS is the fourth best among third baseman. His UZR is fifth best. Put another way, the Mets are getting the chance to replace the worst third baseman with one of the best.
It’s a reason why McNeil should continue playing left. Another reason is the Mets organization outfield depth is poor. Moreover, Keon Broxton and Juan Lagares not hitting, and Brandon Nimmo dealing with neck issues.
With McNeil in left, Frazier can play third until Jed Lowrie returns (whenever that will be) or Frazier establishes he shouldn’t be playing everyday. At a minimum, the Mets defense will be vastly improved. Best case, he goes on and has a Ray Knight type of season.
HEY WHAT GAMES ARE YOU WATCHING ,DO YOU REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT INFIELD DEFENSE,DAVIS FOR THE MOST PART IS FINE AT THIRD. HIS ARM IS PLENTY STRONG AND ACCURATE…FRAZIER IS BETTER ,BUT THE POINT IS DAVIS IS OK,AND HAS A MUCH NEEDED OFFENSIVE GAME,YOU SEEM TO NOT HAVE MUCH BASEBALL KNOWLEDGE……
If you think a guy who can’t get in front of a ball defensively, can’t make a strong throw without double clutching, and plays near the outfield grass in every play is okay at third, you don’t know what you’re talking about
Mets Daddy has been against Davis since his acquisition.
While JD has some defensive issues that are more mental than physical and could benefit from more time in AAA for that reason, it’s abundantly cleat Mets Daddy will say anything here and on MMO, to talk negatively about JD Davis while engaging in hypocrisy about other players.
I pointed out the hypocrisy in a post on MMO after Mets Daddy said Dom Smith should play left field for his bat even though he’s bad there defensively – that it’s better than playing McNeil in left and Davis at third. The agenda of course was to displace JD Davis. I got a lot of MMO upvotes on that comment pointing out Mets Daddy’s (AKA John Sheridan) hypocrisy and anti-JD agenda.
And BTW, it’s JD Davis who is now taking fly balls in the outfield in anticipation of Todd Frazier’s return – not Dom Smith which strongly suggests Mets are leaning toward demoting Dom Smith.
I believe it’s better for the team long term to temporarily demote Davis to work out throwing hesitations which is mental, not physical. Send him down for two weeks or whatever amount of time needed, and then recall. Send him down if he doesn’t fix his issues before Frazier returns. JD’s bat, exit velocity and plate approach, is very promising. it’s better than Frazier’s, JD also has an organically stronger arm, and has a future with the Mets that Frazier doesn’t.
Dom Smith is also valuable for the Mets but it looks like Mets want him exclusively backing up first and pinch hitting, plus an occasional start.. With the expansion to 26-man roster next season and Frazier and Lagares departures, it’s possible to carry Smith, JD, Lowrie and Cespedes for the whole season with McNeil, Davis and Broxton outfield options.
It’s not hypocritical, nor is it an agenda.
Davis has been worse than advertised defensively, and he’s exactly what we thought he was offensively. Really, take away the two home run game, and you have a .233 hitter who is striking out at a high clip, and who is hitting the ball on the ground an inordinate amount of time.
In terms of Dom, he’s hitting and more athletic. He’s always had the tools to be a good hitter. He’s also more athletic and quicker.
Wanting Dom in LF on a very part time basis is not the same as Davis at third everyday.
Dom in LF and McNeil at third makes the Mets a much better defensive team than McNeil in left and and Davis at third.
If you still thinking being judicious finding spots for Dom and having a better offensive and defensive lineup is hypocritical or a bias, I think you’re simply just ignoring what I’m saying.
The hypocrisy is in a different set of standards for these players.
Neither hit in the majors until this season. Both are hitting this season and JD had the better minor league career.
You can’t selectively take a way 2 homers from JD because you want to.
He’s now hitting .300/.417/.540 with 10K’s and 10 BB’s in 59 PA’s. His K rate is low, below 18%.
What’s his GB rate this season?
You have valid point about JD’s throwing accuracy and hesitations which is an issue. The arm strength is well above average. He may need additional time in the minors to work that out and is the only reason he should return to the minors.
Dom’s defensive prowess is at first base, not LF with below average speed, and not much athleticism in the outfield.
He has history of losing weight in the offseason and then gaining a bunch back as the season progresses.
I think he’s already looking like he’s gaining. He’s been obese for much of his pro career.
I like the Dom Smith we see this season in the role he has now. Putting him in the outfield other than emergency of spot start weakens the defense.
Because Smith throws left handed and the Mets have made no overtures this season for him to play outfield, he’s a one position player blocked by Alonso.
I meant “emergency or spot start”
“not emergency of spot start”.
You’re completely ignoring the fact I’ve analyzed data and scouting reports from the Majors and minors. I’ve talked to scouts.
Really, you’re only considering it hypocritical because your inserting your opinions of the players over mine.
I’m not impressed with your analysis here and in general.
You can analyze all the data you want but that won’t get you far if you believe as you appear to think players don’t grow, that mechanics, approach, mental make up, talent, skill development, training and other factors don’t matter.
And I back that up with a track record that includes 50 years of observing MLB baseball as I diehard fan and student of MLB history and a strong interest in player and skill development, mechanics, approach, mental make up and the nuances and details of the sport. You seem to get stuck on believing that analytics define the player, that the past defines the present, and that current flaws define the future regardless of age, work ethic and raw tools. A lot of players with good careers would never have made it past go had they listened to you thinking you have it all figured out.
Be as unimpressed as you want. Fact of the matter is your impression that Davis and Smith are the same players is just plain wrong and calling someone hypocritical for being able to properly differentiate between the two is wrong.
I’d also note unless you have 50 years as a scout, I don’t trust anyone else’s flawed eye test, especially when it is contrary to more learned eyes and data.
I’m in agreement with in support of JD Davis a good all around hitter with power and good plate approach.
It’s his mental blocks throwing the ball quickly and with accuracy that’s his problem – one that needs fixing. It’s ironic because he has a 65/80 arm.
In fairness to Dom Smith, he has power capacity – 14 big league homers – but he didn’t hit for average and OBP under those circumstances and only 40 homers in the minors.