Think back to Opening Day and what your thoughts were about the team and the upcoming season. Then, go to the Mets’ current 26-man roster, which you can find over at mets.com/roster and imagine what might go thru your late-March brain. Here are my thoughts:
Pitchers
Phil Bickford?!? – Guess he’s an option reliever who flew under my radar
Trevor Gott – Wonder if he’s any relation to former Pirates reliever Jim Gott
Sean Reid-Foley – That guy stinks
Wait, wait, wait – you mean to tell me that both Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are injured at the same time? That’s some Mets luck for you right there. And where’s David Robertson?
Catchers/Infielders
Francisco Alvarez is in the majors and no Tomas Nido! I dig it.
Guess that insurance policy of Danny Mendick is paying off. Wonder if Mendick is doing great or if Luis Guillorme is injured. And what’s Jonathan Arauz doing in the majors for the Mets?
It’s very curious that Mark Vientos leapfrogged Brett Baty in the pecking order. He must be doing great for Eduardo Escobar not to be here. Or Escobar is hurt, too.
Outfielders
Rafael Ortega and DJ Stewart instead of Mark Canha and Starling Marte. Wow, we’re getting hit with a ton of injuries. Again.
At least they came to their senses and cut Tommy Pham
Just imagine the face you’d make in late March if you were told that at the start of the day on 8/28 that the Mets would be 60-71.
Ha! Funny.
The opening day roster was full of veterans. Eppler’s and Showalter ‘s were feelings that they couldn’t rely on their blue chip prospects. Unfortunately, they were right. Alvarez could have somewhat been deemed a success (98 OPS+) but who was his competition? Nido (-21 OPS+) ? Baty was a failure (72 OPS+) and was Vientos (58 OPS+). Mauricio hasn’t been given a chance. Eppler and Showalter weren’t correct 100% either. Escobar (70 OPS+) and Canha(100 OPS+) had off years and Vogelbach(103 OPS+) has McNeil (92 OPS+) just turned their seasons around recently.
Peterson(80 ERA+) and Megill(75 OPS+) were only rely on as depth starters and they failed miserably. The back of bullpen construction is all Eppler’s doing.
After a 101 game winning season you would thought that a veteran team would have more success. You would have thought that the top prospects would be promoted and at least have an average season. Well, it was a whole team breakdown and that is why we look at the roster and say “who’s him?”
I hadn’t seen Alvarez is back in the 90 club, which is not a badge of honor. Look he’s probably gonna be a real player and all star, but it sure shows the Show aint a simple place. I really fear Baty could be a 4A plater and not really a big leaguer. I’d give him ample room to get straight even of he’s not up until next year.