PORT ST. LUCIE — A new center fielder, coupled with incremental improvements by his right fielder, has Mets general manager Sandy Alderson feeling better about the team’s outfield defense than when last season ended.
There is little chance outfield defense will emerge as a team strength this season. But if it isn’t a glaring deficiency, that might be good enough for the Mets as they prepare for refurbished Citi Field and its smaller dimensions.
The big change is Andres Torres, who replaces Angel Pagan in center. Jason Bay returns in left, and Lucas Duda attempts to make inroads in right — the position he took over without much previous experience when Carlos Beltran was dealt to the Giants last July.
Alderson yesterday acknowledged there is vast room for improvement in his outfield, which by many metrics rated among the worst in the majors last season.
“I’d say it was a weakness,” Alderson said. “I don’t think Angel had a great year defensively, and Carlos was solid but was a different outfielder than earlier in his career. I would say, absolutely, it was not one of our strengths.”
In Torres, the Mets believe they have a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. Alderson rates Bay as above-average defensively, and just wants Duda — a first baseman by trade — to keep working and trying to master the basics in right.
“In the case of Lucas Duda we’re starting with the offense, and we know we’re going to get something out of him defensively,” Alderson said. “In that sense, we understand what the metrics tell us. There’s room for improvement and there’s an offset [offensively].”
Torres, who arrived from the Giants with reliever Ramon Ramirez in a trade for Pagan during the winter meetings, doesn’t shy from the fact he’s here because of his ability to cover ground.
“I love to play defense,” he said. “You know where the hitters hit the ball — you have an idea just watching them by their swing and everything. I am prepared to cover ground.”
Alderson said Torres’ ability as a center fielder could offset his offensive shortcomings, in the same manner Duda’s offensive potential may help the Mets forget about his defense.
The Mets likely will not explore the possibility of Duda playing left field — a position he played in the minor leagues — and moving Bay to right. Such a move would also give Duda less ground to cover at Citi Field.
“Now you’re just talking about a few extra square feet, before it was a little different,” Bay said, referring to the renovations that will drastically reduce the size of right field. “I don’t see moving everyone around to accommodate for that. If it was Fenway or a place it was a vast difference, you could see it.”
Bay added he never has played right field — and has not been approached about a position change — but is open to making a switch if the Mets want one.
Bay came to the Mets with a reputation as a poor defensive player, but says that perception was built on faulty metrics.
“I always felt I was adequate — I got to balls I was supposed to get to, and played a decent left field,” Bay said.
Overall, manager Terry Collins indicated he is not concerned with the Mets’ outfield defense.
“We know Andres Torres is an outstanding defender,” Collins said. “We know the left fielder is a very good outfielder, and the kid who is playing right field is working as hard as any guy that I’ve ever been around, so he’s going to be comfortable in right field and that’s the key.”