Upon hearing the news that Yoenis Cespedes will not have to go on the disabled list with his sprained wrist, everyone from Terry Collins to Mr. Met to each and every Mets fan breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as everyone realizes that Cespedes is day-to-day and Alejandro De Aza will get more playing time, the trepidation will return.
Given that prospect, it might be time to call-up Brandon Nimmo up to the majors now to play center until Cespedes is ready to resume playing everyday.
Nimmo has certainly earned the promotion. He has gotten progressively better as the season as progressed. Here are his monthly splits:
- April .260/.333/.315
- May .326/.421/.565
- June .400/.473/.638
Over his last 45 games, Nimmo is hitting .374/.458/.610 with 14 doubles, seven triples, five homers, and 34 RBI. Nimmo’s production is quickly moving from short sample size to true talent level. No matter the case, he’s playing extraordinarily well. This is the precise point you want to bring a player to the majors.
Furthermore, Nimmo helps the Mets in a lot of ways. On a station-to-station team, he’s a top of the order hitter that has the speed to take the extra base. He’s also a solid defensive outfielder, which would permit Cespedes to play left field, his Gold Glove position, when he’s capable of returning to the line-up on a full time basis.
There’s just one problem with this line of thinking. It discounts Michael Conforto. This is the same Conforto that was a vital part of the Mets offense not only last year, but this year as well. This is the same Conforto that has risen to each and every challenge before him.
This is also the same Conforto who has hit .150/.214/.307 in the 43 games he has played since May 1st. Over the past week, he’s 1-17. He’s 4-44 against lefties this year. There are many reasons why he could be hitting this poorly from his injured wrist to his approach at the plate. Whatever the cause, he’s not figuring it out in the majors right now, and he’s hurting the team in the process. The Mets need to do what is best for him and the team by sending him down to AAA. He can correct his approach there and gain some confidence while batting in the hitter’s haven that is the Pacific Coast League.
In the interim, Nimmo gets his well earned shot. Terry Collins can figure out left field until Cespedes is ready. With his recent play and especially yesterday’s game, it may not hurt to give Matt Reynolds some more games in left field. At least for right now, that is what will be best for the Mets.
It will also benefit the Mets in the future. Nimmo and Conforto are a big part of the Mets future. Conforto needs to get himself straight at the plate, and eventually, Nimmo has to be thrown into the deep end to see if he can swim. Both can happen now, and both players could be better for it. It’s time to send down Conforto and call-up Nimmo.
I’m calling SA now to make my recommendation to bring up Nimmo since he’s the one calling the shots. Heck I’ve been on hold for two hour.. snooze………..
I don’t understand why the Mets treat certain players like children. Conforto is simply not a ML caliber player at this time. It would serve him well to do some time in the minors just like it would benefit Nimmo by coming up to the ML.
After finally “finding Nimmo”, isn’t worth it to see what he can do? maybe he is the leadoff hitter we’re been waiting for all this time.
So lets make assumptions here; the Mets sign Reyes and bring up Nimmo. That in itself gives the Mets a speed on the top of the order. Something they desperately need.
Reyes 3B, Nimmo LF, Cespedes, Walker, Granderson, Cabrera, d’Arnaud, Flores 1B. The lineup obviously changes when Lagares, Duda come back.
Adding another LH OF option isn’t ideal at this point. I am more on board with Taijeron coming up on a temporary basis to cover Cespedes/Lagares.
2 weeks of Nimmo and Conforto switching places may help as well
Taijeron isn’t an everyday player at the big league level.
Agree 100%, and I haven’t been big on him at all. But RH OF is what is needed for the next week or so.
Whoever’s 40 man spot is slated for Reyes can be cleared now and adjusted when Cespedes returns.
With Nimmo, I’ve heard a lot of people say that he’s a solid defensive center fielder, while others have said he’s a corner outfielder who can’t really play center anymore. Does anyone know which is more accurate? His ability to play center is important for the team, although less so if his bat is really coming around
The Mets need guys at the top of the order that get on at a high clip whether or not that comes with speed. I would certainly promoted Nimmo and demote Conforto but sure what that has to do with treating them like children.
Agreed on Taijeron, at this point he is more useful to the Mets than Kelly/Campbell. He is going to strike out a ton but would rather have his power off the bench. Also agree that it’s time to send Conforto down even if it’s only for two weeks. He can’t hit major league pitching right now.
It has been solid in the past, I would say it’s been slightly below average this year which could be a reason why Mets have paused on bringing him up.
I am definitely not Taijeron’s biggest fan, but without a legit RH OF, it’s just making it much easier for the other manager. I would have no problem leaving a LOOGY in an extra batter if it’s Kelly or Campbell pinch hitting for the pitcher, so he can than face Granderson.
Taijeron makes that a little more challenging
On Conforto, pressing, which leads to trying to kill everything. Only leads to bad habits then trying to adjust bad habits….2 weeks clear his head in a hitters haven, bring him back coming out of the AS break
I agree the Mets need Nimmo now. We can’t afford to play Conforto against the Nats. He is an automatic out.
I think that is absolutely the right thing to do now and I was very much against it only about a week ago but it’s abundantly clear that he is pressing.
Great point and definitely agree. I don’t think Taijeron ever amounts to much but he is a better offensive option than the Mets have had on the bench for much of the season.
As far as Nimmo’s play in center, I think he takes bad routes to the ball sometimes. I don’t envy anyone having to play against the wall in Cashman. Everyone has trouble. Only Lagares and den Dekker did a good job with it. But according to my eyeball, Nimmo’s speed is still very good.
The guy plays a bad center field, sorry Mets fans. When he misplayed a fly ball into a triple in Salt Lake, Russ Langer (the radio voice) torched him on air. Never heard Langer go off on a guy like that.
Nimmo has misplayed dozens of fly balls to center. Source: my eyeballs. They go as hits and thats why you can’t trust a AAA box score. Orders from up top I guess.
I would agree with the swap at this point. Conforto’s problem has been the breaking pitch and he needs to adjust. The have stuck with him is that he likely won’t see many good ones in the PCL. Altitude and lack of humidity.
But at this point he needs to get his head back on. So I agree, make the swap.
Hopefully he regains his confidence and Nimmo proves he belongs. Then they can move Grandison to the end of the bench where he belongss at this point. Can’t continue to have a .290 OBP at the top of the order.
I meant it on the context that the Mets seem to think that Conforto is not able to handle a demotion. If that is the case, then they already have a problem child.