Millar for the bench....

Missed in all the hoopla of the Jones-Castillo rumor is an article Buster Olney posted regarding the 10 free agents who deserve a second look. There are quite a few good players on the list who appear to be getting over looked this off-season, what really drew my attention was Olney suggested Kevin Millar for our bench.

Kevin Millar: He mashed 20 homers this past season and always will want to be an everyday guy. If Millar could embrace the idea of sharing time, he'd be a great fit in a lot of places -- and maybe he would best fit with the Mets, spelling Carlos Delgado against left-handed pitchers and lightening the clubhouse atmosphere. source ESPN

Every time Delgado has struggled Millar's name has been mentioned and if Delgado needed a platoon partner he would make a lot sense. Not only would he be solid at first base but he would be a true power threat off the bench and a great clubhouse presence. With all that said I don't believe it could ever happen as long as Tony Bernazard has an influential position within the organization. Rem. Millar crossed the picket lines while Bernazard was head of the union and from what I gather Bernazard still holds a grudge.

So I think Millar is really a moot point, but what it does raise is the question of whether the teams bench is constructed correctly. I've been on record as saying that I'm against the platoon of Tatis/Murphy in left field. I would prefer both players make the team but as bench players with a true starting left fielder who's right handed. Murphy I think is better off as a super utility player being used regularly against right handed pitching in numerous positions ( 3B, 2B, 1B, LF) . I think it's asking a lot to expect Tatis to repeat what he did last year and the more he's used/exposed the more chance he has of dimensioned returns, I'd use Tatis as a traditional back-up corner infielder and right handed pinch hitter.

But with a Tatis and Murphy in a true platoon and then a fourth outfielder of Reed or Pagan the Mets leave themselves vulnerable at first base. What will happen is just as they have expected Tatis to hit as he did last year they will rely on Delgado to produce as he did the second half of last season. Delgado played in 159 games last year and two of the three games he rested were when Willie benched him. I don't think a 36 y/o player should be relied upon to play that many games, he needs a right handed backup and I don't think Nick Evans is major league ready as a bench player ( needs to play full time in AAA). Another problem is Marlon Anderson who not only hit .218 last year but also is another left handed bat....

If I had my druthers I would compose the bench as follows; ( with a left fielder)

Castro- 2nd catcher

Tatis- Backup corner infielder (1b/3b), right handed pinch hitter

Murphy- Left handed super utility player

Pagan or Reed- Fourth outfielder

Cora/Miles/Graffanino- Backup middle infielder ( SS/2B)