New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez runs the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in New York. The Mets won 8-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II, AP)
For the first time since 2016, the Mets are back in the postseason. While the club has much bigger aspirations than just a wild card round, what it’s taken to get back to this point should be noted.
It is truly a new era in Queens with owner Steve Cohen and his revamped front office settling in after two seasons. The Mets had a new manager in Buck Showalter this season, a new general manager in Billy Eppler, and a roster littered with stars. Some of them were homegrown, like Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso. Some are stars that Mets fans had always dreamed of but never thought would be possible with the way the previous regime ran things, like Max Scherzer and Francisco Lindor.
They won 101 games, the second-most in franchise history. McNeil won the batting title, Alonso tied with Yankees’ outfielder Aaron Judge for the league lead in RBI, and Scherzer, one of the best big-game pitchers in baseball, is starting Game 1 against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Citi Field.
It’s been a remarkable season, but the Mets aren’t done yet. There are still a few lingering questions about their playoff roster for the first round. So let’s take a look at the group that could be active for a best-of-three wild card series against San Diego this weekend.
POSITION PLAYERS
Who is in
Pete Alonso, 1B
Jeff McNeil, INF/OF
Francisco Lindor, SS
Eduardo Escobar, INF
Luis Guillorme, INF
Brandon Nimmo, OF
Mark Canha, OF
Tyler Naquin, OF
Daniel Vogelbach, DH
Tomas Nido, C
James McCann, C
Injured
Starling Marte, OF
On the bubble
Francisco Alvarez, C/DH
Darin Ruf, DH
Terrance Gore, OF/PH
James McCann was supposed to give the Mets a run-producing catcher but he struggled at the plate this season and missed time with a fractured hamate bone in his wrist and strained oblique. The Mets called up 20-year-old top prospect Francisco Alvarez over the weekend for the series in Atlanta to DH against left-handed pitching and he caught his first game Wednesday, with Trevor Williams giving him high praise.
Alvarez recorded his first two first big league hits Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, including a monster home run, both against right-handers. If the Mets don’t include him on a postseason roster then it’s fair to question why they called him up in the first place.
Marte and Ruf finished the season on the injured list, though Ruf is healthy enough to play this weekend. However, he hasn’t produced at all for the Mets since coming to New York to DH against left-handers. The Mets will likely face one left-hander in Blake Snell, but they could opt to use Alvarez instead.
Marte’s status is somewhat day-to-day as he recovers from a fractured right middle finger, but he did play catch and take swings this week.
Terrance Gore was acquired for postseason play. His ability to wreak havoc on the basepaths in late-game, high-leverage situations is impactful. But the Mets haven’t used him much so while the two-time World Series winner has value, it’s unclear whether or not he’ll be included.
PITCHERS
Who is in
Jacob deGrom, RHP
Max Scherzer, RHP
Chris Bassitt, RHP
Edwin Diaz, RHP
Seth Lugo, RHP
Adam Ottavino, RHP
Trevor May, RHP
Drew Smith, RHP
Joely Rodriguez, LHP
David Peterson, LHP
Injured
Tylor Megill, RHP
On the bubble
Mychal Givens, RHP
Taijuan Walker, RHP
Carlos Carrasco, RHP
Trevor Williams, RHP
Showalter could choose to throw Chris Bassitt in Game 2 with the hope of saving deGrom for a possible NLDS start in Los Angeles against the Dodgers next week. And while advance planning is always needed in the playoffs, ultimately the Mets have to get to the next round first. The rotation will be one of the most intriguing storylines to watch this weekend.
So, where does that leave Carrasco (15-7, 3.97 ERA) and Walker (12-5, 3.49)? They both pitched Tuesday in a doubleheader against the Nationals, but their outings were limited. They could both be ready to pitch on Sunday, or possibly pitch out of the bullpen if long relief is needed.
Of course, they could be left off of the roster completely with the Mets opting to rest them through the wild card.
In the bullpen, Edwin Diaz and Adam Ottavino are the most trusted high-leverage pitchers. Drew Smith has pitched well in high-leverage situations throughout the last week. Seth Lugo has become the preferred left-handed specialist, holding left-handed hitters to just a .167 average.
But the Mets do need at least one, if not two left-handers in the bullpen. Peterson has adjusted well to a relief role as of late and had some solid showings in key games down the stretch.
The Mets have until noon ET on Friday to submit their roster. Any player who was on the Mets’ 40-man roster or 60-day IL as of 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31 is eligible for postseason play, and teams are permitted to submit a new 26-man roster before each postseason series.
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Originally published at Tribune News Service