Just Mets

For years it seems, the Mets have questioned Wilmer Flores’ ability to play shortstop competently at the Major League level, so much they began to move him away from the position in 2011, and was a full-time second baseman in the Mets minor leagues by the 2012 season.

But with no other option emerging in their organization and no realistic quality upgrades available to them on the external markets, the Mets have committed to Flores as their shortstop.

Earlier this spring, Sandy Alderson identified Flores as a, “central player” on the roster, despite the emergence of prospect Matt Reynolds and Terry Collins proclaiming there was a competition at the position at the beginning of camp.

This is important. Flores has said himself knowing he’s an everyday player has helped his confidence, which he feels has translated to general performance improvements both offensively and defensively.

The biggest and most obvious question about Flores is his defense. The perception is what he gets to he will have no issue handling. He has a strong arm and a good glove, and he’s told me many times he’s more comfortable at shortstop than any other position.

That stands to reason. He’s played 536 games at shortstop (including his stints in the winter leagues), more than he has anywhere else as a professional. And, there’s some merit to a player being comfortable defensively, as often times a player’s all-around game is affected when a player is at a foreign position on the diamond.

The main issue with Flores – which has been well publicized – has been his lack of range. However, no matter where he ultimately ended up, the organization felt confident his lack of range could be compensated to a degree with his unusually long reach with his arms.

Infield coach Tim Teufel has been pleased with Flores’ progress at shortstop, telling Matt Ehalt of the Bergen Record his ability to read the ball off the bat has improved.

“His instincts and his ability to read a ball off the bat have increased,” Teufel said. “I see a lot of good things coming out of Wilmer right now. I think he’s ready to go.”

Theoretically, improved reads could mean improved anticipation, which could allow him to get to more balls beyond his natural range.

Still, there are doubts Flores will succeed at this level. But, Flores has been glowing with confidence all spring, and doesn’t pay attention to the cynics.

“Every person is going to have their opinion. You can’t control that,” Flores told Ehalt. “What you can control is playing hard out there and doing your thing.”

Like Daniel Murphy, Flores will probably be known more as an offensively-oriented shortstop, and anything he provides defensively will be a bonus. Not everyday is going to be pretty for Flores defensively, but again, as is the case with Murphy, the Mets are depending on Flores’ bat to carry his defensive over a long period of time.

But if his bat continues to mature and he can be at least competent defensively, the Mets will have likely solved their problem sufficiently at a premium position.

“After this year is over, I foresee everybody saying, ‘I’m really glad we didn’t make a move at shortstop because this guy was really good,’ ” David Wright told Ehalt.

So far, so good for Flores. Let’s hope they got this one right…