The Mets have had a busy offseason and as the dust settles it seems that the Mets may have brought in enough veteran bodies to keep both Jeff McNeil and Top Prospect, Peter Alonso from making the team out of Spring Training.

The fact is that the Mets have approximately thirteen roster spots for position players and the depth chart seems pretty crowded. Here’s what I have for locks:

● C1: Wilson Ramos
● C2: Travis d’Arnaud
● 1B: Todd Frazier
● 2B: Robinson Cano
● 3B: Jed Lowrie
● SS: Amed Rosario
● LF: Brandon Nimmo
● CF: Juan Lagares
● RF: Michael Conforto
● OF4: Keon Broxton
● OF5:
● MI:
● CI: J.D. Davis

That’s a pretty significant number of positions with players likely locked into major league playing time and there’s more than a few people on the Mets who are going to be vying for them.

Jeff McNeil – A golfer through most of his high school career, the Mets nabbed McNeil as late in the draft as they did since he was a pretty raw prospect. His natural position is second base though he has played some time at third base and even less time in the outfield.

A player known for his bat and not his glove it seems unlikely that the Mets would want to risk having a Daniel Murphy or Lucas Duda style adventure in left field while having Brandon Nimmo weaken the defense in center. The moment that the Mets brought in Lowrie the chances of McNeil making the opening day roster went down significantly.

Peter Alonso – The Mets made a lot of noise about not hiding Alonso in AAA to prevent Super Two status. Enough noise that I felt they would give him an open shot at winning the position. Now, I think the Mets have enough of a legal case to say they didn’t have room for him with the crowded infield of players.

T.J. Rivera – Once upon a time Rivera played shortstop and it’s possible that the Mets can consider Lowire a backup to shortstop. That would mean that Rivera can handle backing up all the other infield positions.

Dominic Smith – He’s out of rope with Met fans who don’t think much of his once respected potential. The Mets will showcase him in Spring Training and likely send him down to AAA where he will man the other corner of the outfield. I don’t see him ever having another starting job offered to him.

Gavin Cecchini – The one player who has benefitted from this is the true utility player in the Met’s system. Cecchini is the best defensive option for that Middle Infield bench role. If he is healthy he might force Rivera onto the waiver wire.

8 comments on “Mets Minors: Jeff McNeil and the victims of circumstance

  • David Klein

    Lol, McNeil is in no danger of not making the roster, he’s a lock, and McNeil is a far better athlete than Murphy and especially Hundley were. I’d bet McNeil plays 55-60 games in the OF and will be cromulent there and Nimmo is okay in CF.

  • Pete from NJ

    If Frazier looks cold, I’d pencil Cano at 1st base giving an opportunity to McNeil at 2nd base….it’s so fluid with guys pushing themselves into the lineup.

    Early hitting in spring training and April is key here.

  • Mike Walczak

    Van Wags is not done yet. McNeil will absolutely make the team and Alonso, if he doesn’t make the team will be called up shortly thereafter.

    Frazier will go, just watch.

  • Metsense

    Adding Cano and Lowrie to team definitely improved the 2019 Mets. Jeff McNeill is not better than either of those players at this time. I’m a big supporter of McNeill and I think he is going to be a starter at least four days a week and so McNeill and not JD Davis should designated the CI. The Mets don’t need a MI because Lowrie will move over to SS and 2B when Cano and Rosario get their weekly rest. The 34 yoa Lowrie should get his weekly rest also. The only position that needs to be filled is OF5 and in looks Rajai Davis is the only experienced outfielder.Then again, the Mets could be unconventional and could use the 25th man just as a hitter and hope he doesn’t have to play in the outfield.

  • Artie

    Competition is good, brings out the best in guys,keeps them on their toes. How about some competition for Vargas and Matz? Miley,Gonzales,Hellickson,Shields, and Bucholtz would do that. The loser would provide depth and a BP arm.

  • Aaron J Samuelson

    I think the Mets will bring 14 position players up north because J.D. Davis is capable of being the 12th pitcher. He was a closer in college and pitched a few times in the majors. He can throw 92 mph.
    Also, you have to think at least one of Rivera, Cecchini and Guillorme will get the call north to backup Rosario until Gimenez is ready.

    • David Groveman

      Few things:

      Mets will have 13 position players and J.D. Davis will likely be one of them but they will not consider him a reliever in anything but a blowout.

      Good to know we have a new Desi Relaford though

      Agreed one of Rivera, Checcini or Guillorme will likely take that Middle Infield backup role but Gimenez is not a backup candidate and will only come up to start.

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