Defending My Piece: Garko vs. Lowell, Platoon Possibilities at 1B

Thanks to Michael Baron, Caught Lookin' was given a nod at Metsblog.com for it's around the Majors buzz. Thank you Mike, the Caught Lookin' Crew appreciates it.

Of course, after getting the nod there were some comments on Metsblog about my wild idea of using Mike Lowell as a platoon partner with Murphy. Orginally, this idea was brought up as a way to shed Castillo (and still could be if either Scutaro or Pedroia could be swayed to move to third), but now I just think it'd be a depth addition for the Mets. This idea faced some skeptism on the comments at Metsblog, as it seemed as though other Mets fans were higher on Ryan Garko. So I thought I'd take the time to look at the two...

Although, I do think Ryan Garko is a useful player, I don't know that he's a useful player for the Mets. Why? Because a quick look a his numbers reveals a similarity to a current player on the Mets, Daniel Murphy. Garko's line from last year was .268 with 13 home runs and 51 RBI, while putting up a .421 Slugging percentage and a .344 OBP. Those are some decent numbers for a platoon players, but not, when those numbers are combined with almost identical production from the platoon partner. Murphy's line last year was .266, 12 homers, 63 RBI, with a .313 OBP and a .427 slugging percentage.

Although, Garko has a higher OBP, we're looking at similar numbers here, with a similar set of defensive skills. If the Mets ARE actually looking for a platoon partner for Murphy, why would they pick up a player who is almost identical to what they have already, ESPECIALLY, when both are younger players who could benefit from a full time gig to get better. Also, it's important to note that Garko struggled from the plate in San Francisco, in a large park, much the same way CitiField is.

As for my proposal of Mike Lowell...

First off Lowell has a few things that Garko doesn't. The first is a couple World Series Championships. He also brings leadership from a winning organization, stellar defense (even despite his age and injury) and most importantly, in my opinion, no individual agenda. When I say no agenda, I mean, because of his age and where he's at in his career he is not a numbers first type of player. Where Garko would be playing hard to show he can be a regular, Lowell will be more concerned with filling his role and leading the team, while teaching Murphy what it's like to be a corner infielder in the majors. Also, it's important to note that whoever platoons with Murphy will be playing less because of the fewer numbers of lefties in the majors. Also, Lowell allows for the ability to spell Wright occassionally, and gives a little more flexibility to the line up and ultimately, the bench.

And there is one thing we are forgetting here, Lowell can hit. Here's his line from last year: .290 with 17 homers, 75 RBI, a .337 OBP and .474 slugging percentage. Those numbers look better than Garko's to me.

Although, I would not be dissapointed should the Mets decide to make Garko a platoon partner with Murphy, I just think Lowell allows for more line up flexibility, good defense, better leadership and is more likely to drive in runs. And if this can be achieved while dumping Castillo, then I am all for it...unless, of course, Castillo is being used to land Carlos Zambrano because pitching is a bigger issues for the Mets right now than Murphy not hitting lefties.