This five Mets must prove their worth before solidifying their place in the majors.
The New York Mets roster is poised for further adjustments before Opening Day. Nevertheless, it appears that these five players, who were part of the team last season, are likely to continue with the organization in some capacity. Despite their individual significance, none of them have secured a roster spot, presenting a challenge given their importance to the team.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, these five Mets players, considered crucial, face the task of proving their worth in the big leagues.
1) Brett Baty
Brett Baty is in line to have an opportunity to reclaim his position as the starting third baseman for the Mets in 2023. The team has consistently expressed a preference for an internal solution at the position, deviating only when Ronny Mauricio suffered an injury. As the most experienced candidate, alongside Joey Wendle, Baty is well-positioned to emerge as the victor in the competition for the third base role, even if Mauricio makes a remarkable return.
However, challenges exist for Baty, notably in his offensive performance, which hasn’t compensated for his subpar defense. While the Mets would ideally deploy him daily, counting on him to make up for any defensive shortcomings with impactful hits, Baty remains uncertain on both offensive and defensive fronts.
The question arises whether Baty could potentially lose his roster spot before Opening Day, considering the previous regime’s willingness to demote him. The current management is expected to be pragmatic, and Baty would need to demonstrate significant improvement to secure a spot. The injury to Mauricio seemingly provides Baty with a more extended opportunity, but he still has considerable ground to cover before establishing himself as the definitive starting third baseman. If he falls short in this role, uncertainties surround his overall role within the team.
2) Mark Vientos
Finding a spot for Brett Baty on the roster is relatively straightforward, but what about Mark Vientos? The defensively less-gifted player, who has transitioned more into a first baseman/DH role, is now even more in the mix for the third base competition with Mauricio sidelined. If he were to emerge as the winner, it would be one of the most surprising outcomes of the spring.
Similar to Baty, Vientos hasn’t exactly impressed with his offensive performance. Although he finished the season on a high note, outperforming Baty in several areas with fewer opportunities, Vientos still faces challenges. His lack of a designated position and somewhat ordinary offensive statistics make it difficult to define a specific role within the team.
The last month of the season provided a glimpse of Vientos’ potential. In the final 93 plate appearances, he posted a slash line of .230/.280/.460, including 6 of his 9 home runs. The Mets granted him increased playing time in the closing days of the 2023 season, signaling a departure from the earlier part of the year when he spent considerable time on the bench. While this positive trend marked an improvement, it fell short of securing him a guaranteed roster spot. Vientos’ future prospects will hinge heavily on the team’s plans for the designated hitter position, as it appears to be the most reasonable avenue for him to receive regular at-bats.
3) David Peterson
David Peterson faces a setback as he won’t be on the Opening Day roster due to hip surgery, initiating the season on the Injured List (IL). Although the timeline for his return remains uncertain, once he regains health, Peterson will need to earn his place back in the majors.
Despite being 28, Peterson still carries an air of youthful potential, yet he has already amassed 333 innings for the Mets. His performance remains somewhat unpredictable, showcasing excellence in one season and inconsistency in the next.
Curiously, Peterson tends to struggle when handed a roster spot, with his best performances coming during seasons where he’s had to fight for his place. In 2020, he secured a spot after Marcus Stroman’s injury, and a similar pattern emerged in 2022 when he served as a depth piece shuttled between the minors and the bullpen.
Certain aspects of Peterson’s game have persisted over the years, including a propensity for issuing too many walks and occasional cold spells. These challenges often relegate him to the role of a sixth starter. Each time he ascends, setbacks bring him back down the hill. The upcoming 2024 season will once again see him starting from the bottom, facing the familiar uphill climb.
4) Ronny Mauricio
Ronny Mauricio stands out as one of the more probable players on this list to retain a roster spot, even if his performance doesn’t align with the Mets’ expectations. With just one minor league option remaining and constraints imposed by his 40-man roster status in previous years, the Mets face limited flexibility with Mauricio’s future assignments.
Although Mauricio is slated to begin the year on the Injured List (IL), the Mets would exhaust his final option if they chose to demote him to Syracuse upon his return. This decision would foreclose any future opportunities to send him back to the minors. Despite being the least experienced among the Baby Mets, Mauricio holds a strategic advantage upon his recovery.
Beyond roster management considerations, Mauricio possesses a diverse skill set that could secure him various roles on the team. While he may not serve as the defensive utility player like Wendle, Mauricio brings a threat on the bases and aims to contribute offensively.
The time available for the Mets to observe Mauricio prove himself and earn his roster spot will be relatively limited. This evaluation may need to happen swiftly, potentially even during a pennant race. While Mauricio is currently a considerable distance from securing a roster spot, his battle to claim one will have to be postponed until he fully recovers.
5) Tylor Megill
Tylor Megill finds himself in a situation similar to David Peterson, occupying a position on the Mets’ roster without a defined role. Despite the lack of a set role, Megill has become a fan favorite for his unexpected rise. Drafted in the eighth round and excelling in the minors in 2021, he swiftly ascended to the majors, consistently having to battle to maintain his place.
In 2022, Megill’s season was largely compromised by injury. However, he managed to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster in the previous season due to Justin Verlander’s last-minute injury. Finishing the year with a 9-8 record and a 4.70 ERA in 25 starts, Megill displayed resilience and concluded the season strongly with a 2-1 record and a 2.76 ERA in his final five starts. A brief midseason demotion may have ultimately benefited his performance.
Considering the starting pitching depth with Megill, Peterson, and Joey Lucchesi, there is a notable reservoir of talent. Some may even consider including Jose Butto in this mix. Despite this depth, each pitcher has demonstrated overall below-average performance.
Looking ahead, Megill’s next significant development might involve more innings in relief. The question arises whether this transition will occur in 2024 or if he will be retained as a starter available when needed. With room in the Mets’ rotation and the potential for a competition for a part-time six-man rotation, Megill could secure additional innings. However, the crucial first step is for him to earn that opportunity.