Citi Field to have Shea Stadium dimensions after fences moved in

PHOENIX Sandy Alderson expects Citi Field to have "pretty close" to similar dimensions to Shea Stadium next season. The Mets have already begun work on moving in the walls in right-center and right field.

At Shea, right-center field ranged between 358 feet at its shallowest and 396 feet at its deepest. Right center-field was 390 feet from home plate at Citi Field this season.

"I don't think what we're doing should be that controversial," he said.

Alderson says that with the new fences the Mets would have hit 17 more home runs last year and given up 10 more, so a net gain of seven for the season. Alderson has said that Curtis Granderson would have netted seven more home runs in 2014 with the changes.

"Last year was an off year for David (Wright) so it's hard to make a measurement there," he explained. "Curtis will definitely be benefiting. Lucas (Duda) would be benefiting from it. And our goal on the pitching side is just to make sure that we got pitchers that strike people out and have a decent ground ball ratio and aren't at risk.:

The move was made, in part, Alderson said, because of aesthetics. He cited an appeal to see more scoring and runs.

"I actually have a preference for a little more offense in games," he said. "We do want to entertain people. At some point, 2-1 loses its cache, panache."

He added: "I think we're in the entertainment business. ...Those are great and I love those games but I like 10-8 too."

Alderson wanted Citi Field to become more of a "neutral" ballpark.

Mike Vorkunov may be reached at mvorkunov@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_Vorkunov. Find NJ.com Mets on Facebook.

View original post here:
Citi Field to have Shea Stadium dimensions after fences moved in