NEW YORK -- When the New York Mets signed outfielder Alejandro De Aza in December, team officials did not foresee Yoenis Cespedes returning.
Now, with Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares and Cespedes in the crowded outfield with De Aza, it is difficult to foresee how the lefty-hitting De Aza will see much playing time.
So is a trade late in spring training involving De Aza conceivable? Yes it is, according to general manager Sandy Alderson.
“We’re not pursuing any of that at the moment,” Alderson said. “It’s conceivable.”
De Aza is due to earn $5.75 million this season.
Alderson appeared to hint on Wednesday that De Aza's contract potentially could be moved before Opening Day while the general manager was addressing whether the Mets’ payroll would remain at its current level, near $140 million.
“Look, we could be somewhat below $140 [million] going into the regular season,” Alderson said. “There are a couple of marginal situations on our roster where things could change a little bit. I don’t think we’re going to be as mindful of the '140' number as most of you in the media.”
Absent a trade involving an outfielder, how much playing time could Lagares and De Aza possibly get?
“We’ll have to see,” Alderson said. “Juan definitely has a role for us, probably off the bench -- maybe against left-handed pitching primarily. Certainly his defense will get him into most games. De Aza’s situation is a little less clear, but we’re happy to have another left-handed hitter that hits well against right-handed pitching, and we’ll figure it out. The important thing is not to view this as a bunch of regulars and a bench. It’s really about the full complement of players and making sure they all can make a contribution, and giving them enough playing time so that’s realistic to expect.”
