PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have only slightly fewer possible outfield combinations than a Rubik’s Cube heading into spring workouts.
With the team’s failed pursuit of Michael Bourn — the veteran outfielder agreed to a four-year contract worth $48 million with the Indians on Monday — the Mets are finished dreaming and back to reality.
Manager Terry Collins yesterday said Lucas Duda is ticketed to become the Mets’ everyday left fielder, but center and right are wide open, with the possibility he will employ a platoon at both positions.
One potential name to watch is the Indians’ Drew Stubbs, who became expendable with Bourn’s acquisition. The veteran hit only .213 last season with 14 homers and 40 RBIs, but is tough against lefties.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Collin Cowgill and Marlon Byrd are all candidates to play center field. The right field mix includes Mike Baxter, Andrew Brown and Zach Lutz, with Jordany Valdespin and Justin Turner candidates to play corner outfield positions as needed. Collins also mentioned former Dodgers outfielder Jamie Hoffmann as somebody with speed who can help cover ground.
“When you’ve got two inexperienced guys in the outfield, you better find a center fielder that can really run it down,” Collins said.
Nieuwenhuis and Cowgill both fit that description, but there are questions whether either player can carry the offensive load.
Nieuwenhuis shared the position with Andres Torres for the first half of last season — and also saw action in left — but his struggles at the plate earned him a demotion to Triple-A Buffalo in July.
“I love center field, I love playing out there,” Nieuwenhuis said. “I love going to get balls and just going all out for balls in the gap and over my head. I really dig that stuff.”
After scuffling as a right fielder, Duda will move to left — a position where he has looked more comfortable. But the Mets want Duda’s biggest improvement to come at the plate. He hit only .239 last season with 15 homers and 57 RBIs.
“This guy is going to hit home runs,” Collins said. “Outside of [Miami’s Giancarlo] Stanton, he’s the biggest, strongest, guy in the league. I told him, ‘If you hit .275, you’re going to hit 35 home runs, because you’re just that strong. But you’ve got to hit some balls to left-center field, because that is what got you here, and don’t go away from your strengths.’ ”
Baxter indicated he doesn’t feel slighted by the talk the Mets have a weak outfield.
“The guys that are looking to play the outfield right now kind of have enough to prove to begin with, regardless of the outside perception,” Baxter said. “I think we’re all pretty self-motivated to try and maximize the opportunity we have in front of us. Last year, this year included, I’m coming in and trying to prove I belong here.”