JUPITER, Fla. — There won’t be a winner in the Mets’ second-base derby, only a least-disappointing player.
Brad Emaus yesterday appeared to be anointed the new second baseman, but last night a source involved in this week’s organizational meetings told The Post the position still is up for grabs.
According to the source, Emaus will play second base for the next three or four days — he may receive a day off somewhere during that stretch — then be re-evaluated by team brass. If he is not deemed capable, the Mets could change course.
Mets special advisor J.P. Ricciardi, who was behind the team’s decision to select Emaus in the Rule 5 draft last winter, is on board with the idea, according to the source. Emaus has done nothing to impress the Mets defensively, and his .216 batting average with no homers and one RBI this spring hardly provide a convincing case to make him the starter.
GM Sandy Alderson refused to declare a winner in the competition yesterday, but said the direction is becoming “clearer” for the Mets.
As The Post reported last week, Luis Hernandez was manager Terry Collins’ choice for the job — a fact reaffirmed by a source last night — but the front office is not happy with the progress the infielder has made in his comeback from a broken foot. Hernandez has been told to lose about 10 pounds, and could begin the season on the disabled list (he doesn’t have minor league options remaining).
Chin-lung Hu is the new name the Mets are discussing if Emaus fails to impress over the next few games. Hu has not been part of the second-base competition, but is a known quantity defensively. There is also an outside chance Daniel Murphy could re-enter the competition.
Team brass is grappling with the situation. At least one team official was against yesterday’s decision to option Justin Turner to the minor leagues and give Emaus a string of games at second base, because it would paint a picture to the other players involved that Emaus had won the job. In the end, Collins — who has been unimpressed by Emaus, according to the source — insisted it was the right thing to do.
Collins affirmed that idea after yesterday’s 5-3 exhibition loss to the Cardinals.
“I think it’s really important for me to see [Emaus] play more,” Collins said. “It’s important to get him out there on a consistent basis so he gets a little more comfortable with his swing and what’s expected.
“I haven’t been around Brad much. I need to see Brad Emaus play a little bit. The offensive side is what intrigues us. I just want to see it against major league pitching a little bit on a consistent basis.”
Turner was batting .231 with no homers and five RBIs this spring, but had minor league options remaining, making him a long shot in the competition. The Mets view Turner as an insurance policy should they have to make a change during the season.
mpuma@nypost.com