Throughout the offseason, the discussion has been ongoing about how to not only return the Mets to the World Series, but win it in 2016.
There were several needs to address, including Daniel Murphy and Yoenis Cespedes’ replacements, and bullpen help. The Mets also had to figure out what to do with Bartolo Colon and Jon Niese.
Niese was dealt for Neil Walker, and Murphy signed with Washington. While Cespedes is still a free agent, his return is unlikely, and the Mets will try to be a sum of parts with Granderson, Conforto, Lagares, De Aza and maybe one more signee (Ryan Raburn?). One issue that wouldn’t seem to be in question is first base, but many others seem to think otherwise.
Especially without Cespdes, this lineup is starved for power. The two proven commodities are Lucas Duda, who was kept over Ike Davis, and Curtis Granderson, who was arguably the Mets’ offensive MVP in 2015. For some reason, not everyone is smitten with Duda as the first-base solution moving forward.
I think this notion is downright ridiculous. I know he’s streaky, but he has the power that allows him to carry a team on his back for a week or more. While Citifield’s dimensions are more hitter-friendly than they used to be, Duda could hit the ball out of Yellowstone.
I’ve heard some who think first base could be Travis d’Arnaud or David Wright’s future position, but you don’t want to take from Paul to give to Peter. That’s not forward thinking.
As far as Duda goes, I think he’s a Met for at least the next 2-3 seasons, and depending on his development and maturation, the rest is up to him.
Do you believe in Lucas Duda as the future at first base for the Mets? Tell us in the comments section below.
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