Major League Baseball teams will be allowed to have a 30-man roster from the start of the season until the two-week mark, when it will be trimmed to 28. After four weeks from opening day, each club will have to cut two more players to reach the final number, 26. The good news is that the universal designated hitter rule will let the New York Mets have more flexibility when putting together their lineup.
How will the New York Mets fill their 30 roster spots? Well, let’s see:
The Mets’ locks:
- Wilson Ramos, C
- Tomas Nido, C
- Rene Rivera, C
- Pete Alonso, 1B
- Robinson Cano, 2B
- Amed Rosario, SS
- Jeff McNeil, 3B/2B/OF
- J.D. Davis, OF/3B
- Jed Lowrie, INF
- Luis Guillorme, SS
- Brandon Nimmo, OF
- Michael Conforto, OF
- Yoenis Cespedes, DH/OF
- Jake Marisnick, OF
- Dominic Smith 1B/OF
- Jacob deGrom, RHP
- Marcus Stroman, RHP
- Steven Matz, LHP
- Rick Porcello, RHP
- Michael Wacha, RHP
- Edwin Diaz, RHP
- Dellin Betances, RHP
- Jeurys Familia, RHP
- Justin Wilson, LHP
- Seth Lugo, RHP
- Robert Gsellman, RHP
- Brad Brach, RHP
Those are the 27 locks to start the season in the Mets’ big league team, pending Lowrie’s health of course.
To fill the remaining four spots, the Mets could go with several avenues:
- Daniel Zamora, LHP
- Tyler Bashlor, RHP
- Walker Lockett, RHP
Those three pitchers fill specific needs: a lefty reliever, a talented hard-thrower and a long reliever or spot starter, respectively.
The prospects
- Ryley Gilliam, RHP
- David Peterson, LHP
- Andres Gimenez, INF
The first two are options for the big league team, but most likely members of the taxi squad. Gimenez could be a surprise addition.
Other options to round out the roster are:
The veterans:
- Eduardo Nunez, INF
- Matt Adams, 1B/OF
The only issue with Nunez and Adams is that the Mets already have lots of options available in their respective positions. They are fine veterans to have around, though.
My guess is they will go with Zamora, Lockett and Jimenez to round out the roster, with Peterson being the last cut.