Sticking Baty at second just seemed bonkers for a career third baseman who dabbled some in leftfield and has been trying to get his mind right all season. So not only did Baty lose his starting major-league gig to Mark Vientos, but now he's become a guinea pig at an entirely new spot requiring a different skillset.
Yes, the Mets considered Baty their emergency middle-infielder before ultimately calling up Jose Iglesias, resulting in his demotion. But that was out of desperation, due to a roster squeeze. Grooming Baty to be an actual second baseman seems like a nutty in-season project.
"Versatility is important," Mendoza said Thursday afternoon. "At the time, you never know, roster-wise, where you're at and for him to get those reps now is important. Angles, turning double plays, a lot of those things are new for him ... I think it's going to benefit him."
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