PORT ST. LUCIE – Jeff McNeil’s hat-trick on third base on Sunday – fielding and throwing errors next to another on a missed flyout – provided a reminder why the Mets removed him from the position last season.
Particularly uncomfortable with pitches, McNeil moved to left field in 2020 and also saw action at second base, behind Robinson Cano. With Cano suspended all season after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug for the second time, McNeil primarily plays the role of second baseman. But there are also questions about whether JD Davis is a full-time third baseman, forcing manager Luis Rojas to try several options this spring.
“We believe in [McNeil’s] ability to play third, but if you want to rank his positions I know he’s more used to playing second base and even left field, but he looked good at third base in the past ”, Rojas said after the Mets and Marlins played to a 4. -4 exhibition tie in Clover Park. “I know we can go back to last year when he struggled a bit in third place too, but we think he can play there.”
The most likely Plan B at third base, according to Rojas, is Jonathan Villar, who hit a three-run homer as the starting second baseman. Veteran Villar arrived off-season on a one-year deal worth $ 3.55 million, giving the Mets a true back-up shortstop, behind Francisco Lindor, as well as someone who can play second and third.
Villar, who has not played third base since 2016, started at the position in a game last week and continues to build up reps during pregame drills. Villar could also take an occasional turn in the outfield, where he has played sparingly in his career.
“They paid me the money, so if they need me to play in the outfield, I’ll go out,” said Villar. “Whatever position they want me to play, I will be able to play anything. If they want me to play catcher, I will. “
Team officials liked Davis’s early play at third base. One notable adjustment is his repositioning so he doesn’t play that deep, which diminishes his chances of being beaten on slow grounders for him.
But the Mets may also want to find opportunities for Villar’s left-handed bat and see third base as the best option.
“He will be more widely known for third place in the camp than McNeil in the camp,” said Rojas.[Villar] and JD will be the two who play third base the most and we want to see Mac play third early in camp and maybe we’ll see him again. “
While there could be an argument that McNeil would be best served if he focused only on second base, there’s a value in versatility.
“Spring training is for that and just for giving [McNeil] a little more exposure and to make sure he feels comfortable and clicks back into position, but I believe he can play there, ”said Rojas.
McNeil’s outfield chances could be limited by the additions of Kevin Pillar and Albert Almora Jr. Additionally, the lack of a universal DH sends a signal that Dominic Smith will start in the left field most of the time. But expect McNeil to get chances before camp ends, as well as at least another look at third place.
“We want to see the combinations,” said Rojas. “We want to see the different positions and see what the guys look like there. It’s a win-win every day. We didn’t play a good defense today, but you can learn a lot from this and it can certainly tell you what to work on. “