In today's Mets news update, with a host of injuries hitting the top of the New York Mets lineup, the team could very well turn to a very unconventional option in their leadoff spot.
As both Juan Lagares and Eric Young Jr. are shelved on the disabled list for an indefinite period of time, Wall Street Journal writer Jared Diamond argues that 40-year-old veteran Bobby Abreu should be slotted into the first spot.
"Despite his advanced age and diminished ability, Abreu's skill set probably still translates as an ideal leadoff hitter better than anybody else's on the roster," Diamond writes in an article posted on Wednesday night. "He sees 4.14 pitches per plate appearance, which ranks third on the team among players with at least 60 plate appearances. He chases pitches outside the strike zone just 22.7% of the time, the best on the team."
Those aren't bad numbers at all for a player entering his fifth decade of life who didn't play in the majors in 2013.
However, is Abreu truly a viable candidate?
"In 18 major-league seasons, Abreu has batted in the No. 3 spot in the lineup about two-thirds of the time. But he has some experience with leadoff, starting 57 times in that position," Diamond argues. "Most recently, manager Mike Scioscia put Abreu there 20 times when he played for the Los Angeles Angels in 2010, aiming to take advantage of his elite-level patience at the plate."
If the Mets truly believe that Abreu's "elite-level patience" could used to properly set the table for the offense, this move is definitely not out of the realm of possibility.
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