4 years agoNew York Mets infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil committed three errors on Sunday in the Mets' Grapefruit League matchup against the Marlins. McNeil was playing third base on Sunday, though his primary position in 2021 will be second base where is he better defensively. With Jonathan Villar now with the Mets after signing a one-year deal this offseason, the Mets are giving McNeil a look at third base to determine how much time Villar should see at second base as part of a super-utility role. Though Villar will get some time at second, it won't be at the expense of McNeil's playing time. Instead, the expectation is that Villar will serve in a timeshare with third baseman/outfielder J.D. Davis, while McNeil remains a regular in the lineup, shifting between second and third base. That said, if McNeil's defensive woes at third base continue, the Mets will be less inclined to shift him to third base to get Villar's bat in the lineup. As a result, a continued poor defensive showing by McNeil at third base over spring training would negatively impact Villar's playing time, to the benefit of Davis.--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBaller
Source: Anthony DiComo on Twitter