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2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 New York Mets Position Battles To Watch

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By @BZarp

2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 New York Mets Position Battles To Watch

Mets_Spring_Generic
Brad Barr - USATODAY Sports

Spring Training in 2015 will be one of the most anticipated springs the New York Mets have had in recent memory. The team believes they ready to compete for a playoff spot, but there are still a few spots on the team that are yet to be decided. Here are five position battles that Mets fans should watch unfold over the course of Spring Training.

5. Final Two Spots In the Bullpen

Mets Bullpen
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

5. Final Two Spots In the Bullpen

Mets Bullpen
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

Heading into Spring Training, the Mets have five spots in the bullpen that are all but spoken for, but the other two are anybody's guess. There are more than half a dozen candidates for those two spots, but few of them stand out heading into spring. There's also a chance the Mets put one of their starters into one of those spots, so there's no telling what will become of those two bullpen spots.

4. Backup Catcher

Anthony Recker
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

4. Backup Catcher

Anthony Recker
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Anthony Recker is the favorite to be the backup catcher, especially since he's the only other catcher on the 40-man roster besides Travis d'Arnaud. However, the Mets signed journeyman Johnny Monell to a minor league contract to give Recker some competition. There's also prospect Kevin Plawecki, who's close to being major league ready, and with a strong spring may have a chance to beat out Recker and win a spot on the Opening Day roster.

3. Fourth Outfielder

Kirk Nieuwenhuis Mets
Jonathan Dyer - USATODAY Sports

3. Fourth Outfielder

Kirk Nieuwenhuis Mets
Jonathan Dyer - USATODAY Sports

The starting outfield is set, but there should be some competition for the fourth outfield spot during Spring Training. Kirk Nieuwenhuis will be the favorite, as he's out of minor league options and had a nice season in 2014. However, Matt den Dekker is equally capable of being the team's fourth outfielder, and Cesar Puello, who's also out of options, will be a Wild Card in the competition if he can have a strong spring.

2. Closer

St Louis Cardinals v New York Mets
Getty Images

2. Closer

St Louis Cardinals v New York Mets
Getty Images

Jenrry Mejia is the incumbent closer for the Mets, but it's not a given. Many believe Jeurys Familia is better suited for the closer's spot long term, and Vic Black will be given a chance during Spring Training to compete for the closer's job. There's also the impending return of Bobby Parnell, who won't likely factor in until later in the season, but there will be competition among Mejia, Familia and Black for the closer's job this spring.

1. Shortstop

Wilmer Flores Shortstop
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

1. Shortstop

Wilmer Flores Shortstop
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Wilmer Flores playing shortstop is the biggest question facing the Mets heading into the season. The competition Flores will face during Spring Training will be mostly against himself, as he has a lot of prove to a lot of skeptics. If he does falter during spring, there's a chance the Mets could make a last-minute trade for a shortstop, go back to Ruben Tejada, or give prospect Matt Reynolds a chance to be the Opening Day shortstop.

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