On Sunday, Terry Collins told reporters Michael Cuddyer could play left field, and Curtis Granderson could play right field this season.
Cuddyer – who is deaf in his left ear – said he doesn’t have many concerns about playing left field.
“Obviously I don’t have much experience, but at the same time there’s no saying that I can’t come over there and learn,” Cuddyer told reporters on Sunday.
Cuddyer is deaf in his left ear, although he said it is a non-issue for him.
“Even going through the draft and stuff, it would be like, ‘do you have hearing problems?’ I’d always check no, because it was never a problem.”
Cuddyer has not played left field since 2006 while with the Twins.
In regards to Granderson playing right field again, Collins said he prefers him there because he’s already familiar with the awkward alignment of the walls there, and it eliminates the need for him to switch to a position he hasn’t played much when Cuddyer plays first base.
Collins said isn’t worried about Granderson being in right field again despite his throwing issues.
“I know everybody talks about his arm strength,” Collins explained about Granderson. “I had an old scout tell me years ago, ‘You worry about arm strength, you’re going to get your butt kicked. You better worry about catching the baseball.’”
Collins said he will try this option over the course of camp, but if it’s not working, he will not force the issue.
Granderson’s -8.1 UZR in 2014 ranked third worst and his -16 defensive runs saved ranked second worst in 2014 among qualified right fielders.
Granderson has played 45 games in left field in his career.
I get Terry’s reasoning, but this comes as a surprise to me since the team’s defense is a major issue right now. Given Cuddyer has more recent experience in right field, and Granderson struggled so much in right last season, it seems to make more sense to me to go with that alignment instead. On the other hand, as I said, there’s no perfect solution here since neither will be great regardless, and ultimately, I have to believe Terry will go with the best possible defensive alignment where both are most comfortable.
Just Mets 