Mets Minors: Tim Tebow and other Spring Training invitees

The Mets have invited some interesting names to Spring Training and some have a legitimate chance to make the team. However, with an overcrowded infield and more depth than the Mets are used to seeing, it’s hard to see some of these people as contenders.

OF Rajai Davis: The Mets snaked one of the best backup outfielders in Davis and it seems like there are multiple avenues for Davis to take that #5 Outfielder spot. The bigger questions surround what happens with players like Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith who are not natural outfielders. (60% Chance)

LHP Luis Avilan: With limited lefthanded options for the bullpen it seems that the Mets may have a diamond in the rough with Mr. Avilan. He does have some considerable competition but as one of the only options with proven success he has a pretty good inside track. (50% Chance)

1B Peter Alonso: Before the Mets traded for Robinson Cano he had a 90% chance of making the team. Then, when the Mets traded for J.D. Davis, that chance went down to around 70% or-so. Now, with Jed Lowrie alson in the fold Alonso is at about a 40% chance of making the roster out of Spring Training. (40% Chance)

SS Andres Gimenez: While he only makes the team if something bad happens to Amed Rosario, I have to give credit to his proximity to the majors and the history of health mistakes made by Mets coaching. (30% Chance)

LHP Hector Santiago: Another lefty with a shot of winning the LOOGY spot on the Mets he’s probably a step behind Luis Avilan for winning that job. (30% Chance)

OF Tim Tebow: People will say I’m mad but I think the Mets would have a difficult time keeping Tebow in AAA if he has a good Spring. I don’t think he’s a great prospect but he has the star power to force himself onto the lineup. Imagine that Tebow clubs a few home runs early on in Spring Training, the buzz that will generate will be loud. He’s still likely too much of a strikeout machine to ever be a successful major league hitter but his numbers in AA weren’t too shabby. (20% Chance)

C Colton Plaia: Mostly, he’s organizational depth but if the Mets trade Travis d’Arnaud and want Tomas Nido to get another AAA season Plaia is the guy sitting in AAA to backup Wilson Ramos. (20% Chance)

RHP Arquimedes Caminero: Having last pitched in the majors in 2016 Caminero is a longshot to make any team but he looked very good in 2013 and 2015 so maybe he’s lightning in a bottle. (15% Chance)

LHP P.J. Conlon: Conlon briefly found himself away from the Mets in 2018 but wound his way back. The control focused lefty will have a difficult time making the Mets major league team as Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo already provide the long inning relief that Conlon might offer. (10% Chance)

OF Gregor Blanco: In Blanco’s favor, he plays all across the outfield. Against him is that he’s the 6th or 7th best outfielder on the roster which only has room for 5. That being said, there’s always a chance that injury gets him onto the team. (10% Chance)

INF Dilson Herrera: Returning to the Mets without any of that old prospect status remaining, Dilson could make the team because the Mets have no clear backup for Amed Rosario. That being said, Herrera isn’t a shortstop either. (10% Chance)

OF Rymer Liriano: A step below Blanco, something is majorly wrong with the Mets if Blanco makes the team out of Spring Training. (5% Chance)

C Patrick Mazeika: While I still like Mazeika and think he has some shreds of his prospect status remaining there is little hope of the Mets allowing him to make the team unless a number of catchers get hurt. Even then, Mazeika would need to be on a tear for the Mets to not sign a veteran backstop. (5% Chance)

RHP Stephen Villines: There are enough other arms to make Villines an extreme darkhorse. That being said, he’s got some chance based upon his meteoric rise through the minors in 2018. (5% Chance)

RHP Ryder Ryan: Like Villines there are a few too many other names ahead of him on the depth charts but Ryan has talent and should eventually make the majors. (5% Chance)

RHP Corey Taylor: Younger reliever who hasn’t gotten a ton of press. Taylor was reasonably successful for Binghamton and Las Vegas but is likely a poor bet to win a bullpen job out of Spring Training. (5% Chance)

RHP Josh Torres: A younger reliever who struggled in AAA for the Mets in 2018, Torres has a pretty good WHIP through his minor league career and is coming off a strong Puerto Rican Winter League performance. (5% Chance)

LHP Ryan O’Rourke: Young journeyman lefty who is likely a step behind Tim Peterson in the depth charts. (5% Chance)

LHP David Peterson: There is no shot for some of the prospects to make the team regardless of future talent. Peterson is one of those players. (0% Chance)

LHP Anthony Kay: Just like Peterson the Mets are only giving fans a chance to see some of the talent in the minors. (0% Chance)

C Ali Sanchez: While he had a good 2018 season, Sanchez having never played above Advanced A has no change of making the major league team whatsoever this Spring. (0% Chance)