Potential Mets Roster Moves to Look For
Looking ahead, micro and macro..
Image credit: Chris Simon
With Wednesday’s thrilling 8-7 win over the Tampa Bay Rays behind us, things seem a little brighter. I know, I know. It’s only one game. A thrilling win, nonetheless.
The Mets have had some positive news as of late in terms of health, with some pieces set to return somewhat soon. We’ve also seen general manager Billy Eppler and company call up a trio of top prospects in recent weeks, the latest being infielder Mark Vientos who slide into Luis Guillorme’s vacated roster spot.
So, with the roster becoming tighter and tighter, and the temperature being turned up on this team quite early, the Mets will have some decisions to make. How they play their hand could have a significant effect on the team as we enter the summer months.
A Fresh Cookie: Carlos Carrasco will be returning from the IL on Friday to start the opening game of the weekend series against his former team, the Cleveland Guardians, according to manager Buck Showalter.
Cookie landed on the IL with a bone spur in his elbow back on April 22. This season has been a bit of a struggle for the veteran right-hander, who has pitched to an 8.54 ERA in his three starts this season.
With the starting rotation not meeting the lofty expectations set before the season kicked off, hopefully, a rejuvenated Carrasco can be a bit of a spark plug. So, who goes?
The corresponding move will more than likely be a depth bullpen arm like Josh Walker, who is one of the only arms on the active roster with minor-league options remaining. The only other transaction option would be to DFA a player, and Walker’s options abound, it seems like the best option.
José Returns: The first real blow to the 2023 Mets’ rotation was when José Quintana was diagnosed with a rib lesion in spring training.
The 34-year-old lefty signed a two-year deal to anchor the rotation alongside Carlos Carrasco but has yet to make a start for the Mets. According to Showalter, Quintana has a “big” scan on Friday that, if it goes well, will allow him to ramp up baseball activities.
Despite slow starts from Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, Tylor Megill, who is technically at the back end of the rotation currently, has been one of the more consistent starters for the 2023 Mets. So it begs the question; who is the odd man out?
If Carrasco is the Cookie of 2022 and bounces back from his poor start to the season, there are two options: option Megill to Triple-A Syracuse or go with a six-man rotation.
After his solid outing on Thursday, Big Drip has pitched to a 5-2 record with a 3.88 ERA, striking out 35 in 46.1 innings pitched. He’s been excellent during a time when the once-projected top-three rotation in baseball has struggled out of the starting gate.
The six-man rotation option can provide value for the overall longevity of the rotation, as the health of both Scherzer and Verlander has been a question mark early. The extra day of rest could prove beneficial. Kodai Senga also comes from a rotational format in the NPB where he pitched once a week, giving him some sort of comfortability is something else that could also prove valuable.
Although this move could be on hold for a while, it is something to keep an eye on.
The Catching Predicament: Veteran backstops Omar Narváez and Tomás Nido are currently on the injured list. Nído landed on the IL with an eye issue earlier this month, and Narváez has been out since April 6 with a strain in his left calf muscle.
Francisco Álvarez has been excellent behind the plate, catching nearly every game since Nido was sidelined. His pitch framing which was once considered average at best, sits in the 91st percentile so far this year, per Statcast.
His offense has been just as spectacular. Although the batting average isn’t where some might hope (.218 batting average) he has four homers, one of which tied the game against the Rays in the ninth inning Wednesday night. His metrics have checked out as well, with a max exit velocity in the 91st percentile.
It seems as if the top prospect has played well enough to stay up here. At the same time, it is hard to justify keeping three catchers on the roster when Álvarez has proven that he can handle the pitching staff with confidence. The obvious move is to option Michael Pérez. But the tougher decision is who to keep, Narváez or Nído?
It feels the most obvious answer is Narváez. He is considerably more talented offensively than Nido is, and they both are on a similar playing field (pun intended) defensively. However, the loyalty the Mets have had to Nído over the years has been noticeable. He signed a two-year $3.7 million deal buying out his final two arbitration-eligible seasons this past winter.
Another potential wrinkle into this is the promotion of former AL All-Star Gary Sánchez, who will be activated for Friday’s series opener against the Guardians. He was absolutely mashing in Triple-A Syracuse, hitting .308 with a 1.014 OPS. If he produces, the door could be open to carry three catchers with DH reps in the mix.
Barring an astronomical slump, it feels as if Álvarez’s roster spot is safe. Nído’s however, might not be. Mets brass has proven they do not shy away from cutting loose players with money owed to them, with Robinson Canó and Darin Ruf’s DFAs as prime examples of that. Nído’s deal is nowhere near the financial burden Cano’s was, so this would be easy bait to cut if that’s the call.
With the Mets looking to get things going following a slow start to the season, how they address the many roster decisions facing them could be a huge factor in how they progress.
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"absolutely mashing"???