Report: Mets unhappy with Dodgers defensive positioning tactics
According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the New York Mets are not happy about the lengths the Los Angeles Dodgers were willing to go to gain a defensive advantage before Friday’s game.
In a report filed Saturday afternoon, Rosenthal says the Mets immediately contacted Major League Baseball officials after learning that the Dodgers intended to mark prearranged defensive positions in the outfield grass at Citi Field.
[Related: There’s a good explanation for Howie Kendrick’s mysterious actions]
This practice would be an extension of the Dodgers known use of a laser rangefinder to determine the best ways to position their fielders. In this case, the Mets were having none of it and essentially told the Dodgers to shut down the operation.
Here’s more from Rosenthal’s report:
The Mets’ grounds crew told club officials that the Dodgers informed them that if the markers were removed, Dodgers players would dig holes in the outfield with their cleats. The Mets then instructed their grounds crew to erase or obliterate anything they saw on the playing surface.
Well, this certainly adds another layer to the growing Dodgers-Mets rivalry.
It also adds another layer to our earlier story about Howie Kendrick, who was seen checking a notecard that reportedly told him where to play each batter. Apparently, this was a substitute method since the Mets weren’t going for the markers, and also since using electronic devices is not allowed on the field.
This is a matter the league will likely have to address now, since teams like the Dodgers are getting very serious about gaining that defensive edge.
Should the line be drawn where the Mets drew it Friday night? Should teams even be allowed to use an electronic device to determine positioning before games? And what about notecards? Are we comfortable with the idea that outfielders may soon resemble an NFL quarterback with the entire playbook on his wristband? That’s the direction we’re moving, and we’re moving there faster than you think.
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Of course, some will embrace the advancement of baseball’s technology, while others will frown upon the idea that teams are taking “shortcuts” to gain an edge. Either way, this should definitely lead to some interesting discussion and debates among fans and MLB officials in the coming weeks.
Feel free to tell us where you stand on this issue in the comments section.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
