The Mets have some tough decisions to make
The Mets will trim their active roster to 25 players before Wednesday night’s Wild Card game at Citi Field against either the Giants or Cardinals.
The roster they set for Wednesday can be changed before the NLDS against the Cubs should they advance. So, it will be constructed a bit differently than a regular playoff roster.
Assistant GM John Ricco said the team would likely carry only 9 or 10 pitchers, instead of the usual 12, and three catchers. With that in mind, how could things shake out?
Here’s what I would do…
Pitchers (9)
Noah Syndergaard
Jeurys Familia
Addison Reed
Fernando Salas
Jerry Blevins
Josh Smoker
Hansel Robles
Bartolo Colon
Robert Gsellman
Thoughts:
In a do-or-die game, you go with your best. And those nine pitchers are the best the Mets have.
While Syndergaard is starting, you need to allow for him either not having his best stuff, getting sick before or during the game, or (gasp) getting hurt — thus the inclusion of Colon, who would likely start Game 1 of the NLDS in Chicago if he isn’t used.
I included Gsellman as a second pitcher who can provide length, because you never know. What if the game goes deep into extra innings? You need to be prepared for everything.
Why carry Gsellman over Seth Lugo? Because he has better stuff and the numbers indicate he’s the better option.
As far as the rest of the pitchers, they were all fairly obvious inclusions.
Familia, Reed and Salas are the late-inning arms. Blevins is the LOOGY, and Smoker (while not a traditional LOOGY) has been quite good, misses bats, and gives the team a second left-handed option.
Robles, who had a 0.75 ERA in September, needs to be included. He can be used in a short-relief role but also provide length if needed.
Josh Edgin, Sean Gilmartin, Erik Goeddel, Jim Henderson, Seth Lugo, Rafael Montero, Logan Verrett, and Gabriel Ynoa miss the cut.
Infielders (7)
Asdrubal Cabrera
Lucas Duda
Kelly Johnson
James Loney
Jose Reyes
Matt Reynolds
T.J. Rivera
Thoughts:
The tricky thing here is the first base situation.
If the Mets play the Giants and lefty Madison Bumgarner, they could think of including Eric Campbell and even starting him. But Terry Collins said during his pregame talk with reporters Sunday that everyone struggles against Bumgarner — not just lefties.
Collins talking about that suggests the Mets will start a lefty-hitting first baseman. And they should. Because while Campbell is right-handed, he’s been terrible this season. And has barely played.
If the Mets play the Cardinals and right-hander Carlos Martinez, things will be easier to figure out.
Either way, Duda should get the start at first base. Yes, he’s struggled against lefties this year, but it’s a tiny sample size. He’s their best hitting first baseman by far and their best fielding one by far. He has to be out there.
Loney is on the roster as a hedge in case Duda can’t play or needs to exit early if his back acts up.
Reynolds makes it as the emergency backup at third base, shortstop, and second base. And someone who can pinch hit or pinch run late in the game.
Eric Campbell and Gavin Cecchini miss the cut.
Catchers (3)
Rene Rivera
Travis d’Arnaud
Kevin Plawecki
Thoughts:
The Mets will likely carry three catchers and these are the only catchers on the roster.
With Syndergaard on the rubber, Rivera will almost certainly start behind the plate.
Meanwhile, carrying both of the other catchers allows the Mets to use one as a pinch-hitter and hold the other back for an emergency situation.
D’Arnaud has been disappointing this season, especially in the power department. Perhaps he’ll come off the bench in an important late-game situation, though, and come through.
And Plawecki can be held for that potential emergency spot. Or used as a pinch-hitter in the 17th inning at 2 a.m.
Outfielders (6)
Jay Bruce
Yoenis Cespedes
Michael Conforto
Alejandro De Aza
Curtis Granderson
Juan Lagares
Thoughts:
Cespedes, Granderson, and Bruce is your starting outfield left to right.
Beyond that, these are all easy calls.
Conforto hasn’t played much lately, but he’s one of the best hitters on the team when he’s right — and he hit .235/.409/.441 in September. Not great, but a step in the right direction.
And if either of the corner outfielders gets hurt, it should be Conforto who enters the game — whether it’s against Bumgarner, Martinez, or a reliever.
De Aza is the backup center fielder.
Lagares is your late-inning defensive replacement in center field and/or someone who can pinch-run in a big spot. He still may not be 100 percent when it comes to swinging the bat, but he’s a must-carry.
Ty Kelly and Brandon Nimmo miss the cut.
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