Brian Erni

Given the options in the outfield, Valdespin should get a look. We’ve seen that he can be explosive offensively, and he looked serviceable defensively during his time at both the corners and in center. That said, he almost seems indignant in his refusal to take a walk. Without harnessing the element of his game, I think it’s going to be tough for him to be exposed to Major League pitching on a full time basis. This spring, Valdespin has looked good thus far, but remember that pitchers are still working on their stuff. Once they start throwing with purpose and baiting him with off speed pitches out of the zone, will Valdespin be able to lay off? If not, getting the full time reps every day at Las Vegas might be the Mets’ best move.

Matthew Cerrone, Lead Writer

He’s an interesting player, because he can play second (if Murphy isn’t ready for Opening Day) and he can play center field, right, he’s strong late in games off the bench and he can probably bat leadoff if needed. The thing is, for the most part, he isn’t that good. So, it’s a tough fit. He fills a void, he just doesn’t fill it as well as the team would like. That said, I wish he was awesome. The kid never takes his sunglasses off, his gold chain is ever-present, he has a hilariously awesome swagger, and in an ideal world he’d replace Jose Reyes’s style. I just don’t know yet that he’s talented enough on field to pull it off…