Bobby Abreu is in the system and other roster stories

AAA:

Cesar Puello – Of all the better prospects currently on the 51’s, Puello is the one who could have the largest impact.  With Chris Young on a one-year deal, Puello looks to prove his ability to play in the majors and earn a starting spot in 2015.  It’s notable that he’s starting the year in AAA and not AA where he finished 2013 (prior to his suspension).

Vic Black – Black won’t be in AAA for most of the year, but he has some things to work on before coming up to help the floundering Met bullpen.  Hopefully he’ll be coming back up to the majors and giving the Mets a better option soon, because the bullpen could use him.

Allan Dykstra – Finally in AAA, where he probably belongs.  Dykstra is almost definitely not the long-term answer for the Mets at first, but his promotion is long overdue.

Bobby Abreu – Really?  Apparently he had a strong offseason in winter-ball and Alderson is taking a waiver on Abreu.  He might be in the majors as soon as the first major outfield injury goes down.

AA:

Kevin Plawecki – Moving Plawecki up from Port St. Lucie to Binghamton (with Jayce Boyd) shows that the team has faith in his ability as a catcher and hitter.  He could really make Travis d’Arnaud start to sweat if he puts up his 2013 numbers in AA.

Jack Leathersich – Notable for Leathersich repeating in AA and not moving on to AAA.  This is the best thing for Leathersich, who still needs to work on his command without the constant threat of playing in the hitter’s park of Las Vegas.

Cory Vaughn – Vaughn repeating in AA is a little surprising but, in the numbers game, he’s the odd man out.  He’ll be up to AAA if a spot opens up in either corner outfield spot.

Darin Gorski – Repeating in AA again should tell you that the Mets do not see a future with Gorski.  He had great numbers in the second half of 2013, so perhaps he will prove the Mets wrong, but I don’t think it’s a good sign to see him in Binghamton again.

A+:

Brandon Nimmo – It’s nice for Nimmo to be up in Port St. Lucie.  He’s not rocketing through the minors but that could all change this year.  If he break out in the FSL, he’ll make some waves in the prospect world.

Steven Matz – There is a reason that Matz has so much buzz as a prospect.  He’s got the kind of stuff that most lefties just don’t have.  He could be a contender for the front of the future Met rotation with Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard.

Dilson Herrera – Herrera had a great year in the SAL in 2013.  He has the makings of a 15/15 second baseman, but the word on the street is that he might get some time at short.  If the experiment works, his value would go up exponentially.

Michael Fulmer – Injuries have hurt Fulmer as he could be in Binghamton to start the year.  This is a big year for Fulmer who desperately wants to prove his value to Met management.

A:

Dominic Smith – Alas, I will not get to see Smith play ball in Brooklyn.  The good news is that he’ll all get a full year of minor league at bats.  He’s likely a full three seasons from making his MLB debut, but he could change that by showing off his hitting ability in a pitcher friendly park.

Gavin Cecchini – Can Cecchini’s bat give the Mets reason to believe he’s a future starting shortstop?  Right now, he’s living on the last fumes of his draft ranking.  He’s got to hit to stay on the radar.

Robert Whalen – One of the best starters from rookie ball in 2013, Whalen is likely the pitcher to watch in the Savannah rotation right now.

Akeel Morris – Morris may have made the transition into the bullpen, but he’s got stuff that can make him an impact player there.  Look for him to get some chances to close out games in 2014.