Mets Roster Projections Heading into Final Week of Camp

With less than a week remaining before Opening Day, the Mets roster is beginning to become more clear following the moves of the last few days. After the Mets released Tommy Hunter yesterday, New York was down to 39 players left in camp.

Jordan Yamamoto was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday, which certainly appears to have solidified the starting rotation with David Peterson and Joey Lucchesi grabbing the last two spots.

Now that the bullpen appears to be the last spot for contention when it comes to setting the 26-man roster, let’s take a look at where things stand for the players remaining in camp for the 2021 New York Mets.

Catchers (2)

Roster Locks: James McCann and Tomas Nido

Impending Cuts: Caleb Joseph

Coming into spring training it was all but certain that James McCann and Tomas Nido would be the Mets two catchers come Opening Day. Caleb Joseph was signed during camp, but seems to have been more of an insurance option then anything else.

Bruce Maxwell has already been reassigned, not that he had the best chance to make the roster anyway, so the tandem of McCann and Nido appears to be locked for Opening Day.

Infielders (6)

Roster Locks: Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, Luis Guillorme, Jonathan Villar

Impending Cuts: Jose Peraza

There is really no surprises when it comes to the infielders the Mets will open the season with, as Jose Peraza is the last remaining player fighting for a spot on the roster. Although there seems to be no place for him barring injury.

Outfielders (5)

Roster Locks: Dominic Smith, Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Kevin Pillar, Albert Almora Jr.

Impending Cuts: Mallex Smith

Just like in the infield, the outfield appears to be set, with Kevin Pillar and Albert Almora Jr. set to back-up the offensive-heavy starting group of Dominic Smith, Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto.

The Mets could throw us a curveball and add Mallex Smith to the Opening Day roster for his speed, but that is rather unlikely since he is not on the 40-man roster and they already have Jonathan Villar to fill that role.

Starting Rotation (5)

Roster Locks: Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Taijuan Walker, David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi

Impending Cuts: Jerad Eickhoff

Really nothing to discuss with the starting rotation after Jordan Yamamoto’s option to Triple-A. Jerad Eickhoff remains in camp on his minor league deal, but is a longshot to make the roster unless they want him to bring some length to the bullpen.

Bullpen (8)

Roster Locks: Edwin Diaz, Trevor May, Miguel Castro, Jeurys Familia, Aaron Loup, Dellin Betances

Pitchers on the Bubble: Jacob Barnes, Mike Montgomery, Robert Gsellman, Drew Smith, Stephen Tarpley, Jerry Blevins, Arodys Vizcaino

This is the one place on the Mets roster where there is still some contention as we head into the last week of spring training, as there still appears to be a few spots in bullpen up for grabs.

The only “roster lock” fans may contend with Dellin Betances, as he has yet to look like the same pitcher that was a four-time All-Star for the New York Yankees since signing with the Mets last offseason. The velocity has yet to return for the 33-year-old and it may never come back.

At this stage the Mets have three options with Betances. They can just swallow the contract and release him, they can place him on the injured list to start the season and see if he can rediscover himself at the team’s alternate site, or they can put him in the bullpen to start the year and pitch him in low leverage situations until he regains the team’s confidence.

Assuming the Mets chose the later, there will be two spots available to the remaining group of seven relievers left in camp. Drew Smith is dealing with shoulder soreness, so an injured list stint to start the year could be his first assignment.

Smith is also part of a group that includes Robert Gsellman and Stephen Tarpley, who all still have two minor league options remaining, meaning they are the Mets most flexible options to start in Triple-A.

Jerry Blevins, Arodys Vizcaino  and Mike Montgomery were all signed to minor league contracts this offseason and collectively bring over 1,000 innings of big league experience to the Mets. After dealing with injuries Vizacaino’s velocity has returned this spring, although he has only pitched one inning of Grapefruit League action.

Blevins could give the Mets bullpen a second left-handed option to go along with Aaron Loup and would be a welcome presence in the clubhouse. But at 37 years old, it is fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank.

Ultimately it feels like Montgomery has an inside track to make this roster, as he would not only provide the Mets with another lefty, but also could give them length out of the bullpen with is experience as a starter. Montgomery has an opt-out clause in his contract on March 28th, which he could exercise if a big league job opens up for him elsewhere.

Considering Montgomery has pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings this spring, with seven strikeouts and just one walk, it appears like a swing-man role is all but his for the taking. This leaves us with one final pitcher to discuss and that’s Jacob Barnes.

Barnes is on the Mets 40-man roster, but does not have any minor league options remaining. The 30-year-old right-hander got off to a rough start in camp, allowing three runs to the St. Louis Cardinals in his first appearance on March 3rd. However since then, Barnes has pitched four scoreless frames with six strikeouts.

If Barnes does not make the Opening Day roster, the Mets would have to designate him for assignment (since he is out of minor league options) and could run the risk of losing him to another team off waivers. With that being said, Barnes stands a pretty good chance to start the season with the big league club.

Injured List (4) 

Noah Syndergaard, Carlos Carrasco, Jose Martinez, Seth Lugo

Unless another injury comes up during this last week of camp, the Mets should start the season with at least four players on the injured list, with three of them likely headed towards the 60-day IL.

Noah Syndergaard is already on the 60-day IL, as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery and it is all but certain that Carlos Carrasco and Jose Martinez will be joining him. Seth Lugo is going to be the first injured Met to return, as we could see him back about a month into the season.

It is clear that when it comes the Mets pitching staff, there will be great reinforcements on the way, as Lugo, Carrasco and Syndergaard represent some of the best arms on this roster.