Mets Have an Embarrassment of OBP Riches

Luis Rojas has an array of lineup options; always a good thing

The New York Mets have an embarrassment of on-base riches spread among their positional roster. Manager Luis Rojas has an array of options at the top of his lineup this season -- never a bad thing.

The addition of Francisco Lindor -- who's generally resided in the top third of Cleveland’s lineup for the duration of his career -- only adds to the Mets' arsenal.

Lindor spent the majority of his time in the leadoff spot for Cleveland (.278/.342/.518, 90 homers in 380 games), but found his most success in the three-hole, hitting .300/.358/.454 over 206 career starts there (.285/.337/.461 in 180 games in the two-hole; rakes in any scenario, tbh).

The Mets' incumbent candidates for the leadoff spot heading into camp -- Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil -- both have their own merits to lean upon in their campaign for the position.

Since 2018, Nimmo, 27, owns the eighth-best on-base percentage in baseball among qualified hitters (.397), and his 139 weighted runs created plus over that span (100 being an average run producer) are good for 12th among the same group.

For all intents and purposes, Nimmo is the Mets' leadoff hitter until he's not. Though, things don’t need to be so cut-and-dry.

McNeil, 28, has the ability to assume the leadoff role in the event of Nimmo's absence from the lineup — a virtual shoo-in with the addition of Albert Almora, Jr. into the outfield rotation and the necessity to find Dominic Smith regular at-bats) — as well.

Both McNeil and Nimmo are flat-out elite at getting on base and can be used interchangeably at the top of the order if/when the need arises. Since making his debut in July 2018, McNeil's .383 OBP ranks 11th in MLB and his 139 wRC+ is good for 14th.

Keep that train moving, that's the name of this game. And these guys -- Lindor included -- are human third rails.

Add in the exploits of Michael Conforto (.376 OBP, 42 HR, 134 wRC+ since 2019), Pete Alonso (.252/.350/.559, 69 HR, 136 wRC+), J.D. Davis (.288/.370/.483, 28 HR, 31 2B, 129 wRC+), and Dominic Smith (.299/.366/.571, 21 HR, 31 2B, 148 wRC+), and this is an LIRR double-decker of offensive potential.

The Mets' ability to spread that potential literally up and down the lineup is a scary prospect for opposing pitchers. Where are the easy outs? Even new Mets backstop James McCann has the ability to jack one out at any given time.

Without the universal designated hitter in place, the Mets' biggest hurdle will be finding adequate playing time for their cache of offensive weapons.

Guys like Luis Guillorme (.375 OBP since 2019; just saying), the aforementioned Almora, and Jose Martinez (a seemingly model DH candidate; we shall see) gotta get reps, too.

Having too many good players has never been a problem for any baseball team ever, so let's see how this all shakes out.