How are you doing lately? (Part 2)
With Spring Training quickly approaching its halfway point, I wanted to take a look at some notable former Mets players from the organization last season, and see how they are performing this spring with their new organizations. This edition of how are you doing lately covers other players not covered in the post yesterday. Click the jump and check out their statistics and analysis on their performance thus far.
- Daniel Murphy: 2B Washington Nationals
- .118/.167/.176, 17 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI
- Murphy signed a 3-year $37.5 million deal with the Mets bitter rivals in January. Murphy declined the Mets 1-year $15.8 million qualifying offer in the offseason, which prompted the Mets to trade for 2B Neil Walker. Murphy is firmly entrenched as the Nationals second baseman, despite the slow spring start.
- Jon Niese: LHP Pittsburgh Pirates
- 2 G, 14.40 ERA, 5 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 3 BB’S, 2 K’S
- Jon Niese was traded by the Mets to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the offseason for second baseman Neil Walker. Niese was adamant in letting the Pittsburgh press know his displeasure with the Mets six-man rotation last season after he was traded. Niese has been absolutely torched this spring by opposing teams offenses, but he is still firmly entrenched as the Pirates number three starting pitcher going into the season.
- Dillon Gee: RHP Kansas City Royals
- 2 G, 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K’S
- Gee signed a minor league contract with the defending World Series Champions in December in the hopes to revitalize his career after a disappointing 2015 campaign, which ultimately ended with him pitching in AAA. Gee has an opt-out clause that needs to be decided on today, but the expectation is Kansas City will add Gee to the 40-man roster with the thought he will pitch out of the bullpen, and as a potential spot-starter.
- Bobby Parnell: RHP Detroit Tigers
- 4 G, 4.18 ERA, 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K’s
- Bobby Parnell signed a minor league contract with the Tigers in February after the Mets had no interest in retaining Parnell. Parnell is trying to resurrect his career with the Tigers, after his disastrous return from Tommy John surgery with the Mets last season. Parnell is in the running for a spot in the Tigers bullpen and it is unclear as of right now if he will make the team. More than anything Parnell is trying to prove he’s healthy and he’s attempting to regain his velocity that was missing last season.
- John Mayberry Jr. : OF/1B Detroit Tigers
- .190/.261/.429, 21 AB, 4 R, 4 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI
- John Mayberry Jr. was signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training back in January. Mayberry is currently competing for a bench spot, but does not have overly impressive numbers this spring. If Mayberry doesn’t make the team, he more than likely will end up in AAA with the Tigers or possibly another organization.
- Matt Den Dekker: OF Washington Nationals
- .200/.292/.400, 20 AB, 4 R, 4 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI
- The Nationals acquired Matt Den Dekker a few days before Opening Day last season, in a trade for lefty reliever Jerry Blevins. Den Dekker is trying to make the team as a 4th OF in Spring Training. Den Dekker’s glove is Gold Glove caliber, but the question that has always surrounded him, is can he hit at a Major League level? Den Dekker’s hot finish to last season, and his glove should have him on an inside track to a spot on the Nationals 25-man roster. If he doesn’t make the team, look for him to head to AAA.