Yesterday we got more clarity on what the Mets Opening Day roster will look like. Believe it or not there’s really not many battles going on this Spring. Terry Collins cleared up some questions yesterday and showed where he was leaning. For some of these players a complete fail or unfortunate injury will keep them from losing their jobs.
In my third update to this post since I began on January 22, this is the way I see it.
2013 Mets Opening Day Roster
C : John Buck
1B: Ike Davis
2B: Daniel Murphy
SS: Ruben Tejada
3B: David Wright
OF: Lucas Duda
OF: Kirk Nieuwenhuis
OF: Mike Baxter
Bench: Collin Cowgill
Bench: Jordany Valdespin or Andrew Brown *Spring Training Battle #1
Bench: Justin Turner or Zach Lutz *Spring Training Battle #2
Bench: Brandon Hicks
Bench: Anthony Recker
SP: Johan Santana
SP: Matt Harvey
SP: Jonathon Niese
SP: Shaun Marcum
SP: Dillon Gee
CL: Bobby Parnell
SU: Brandon Lyon
RP: Josh Edgin
RP: Scott Atchison
RP: Pedro Feliciano
RP: Greg Burke or LaTroy Hawkins *Spring Training Battle #3
Collins gave Justin Turner a HUGE vote of confidence and even has him taking reps in the outfield just to find ways to give him more at-bats this season. That said, the Mets manager actually glowed when he spoke about young right-handed slugger Zach Lutz, a 2007 draft pick whose power has turned some heads. Lutz is going to give Turner a run for his money in the battle for the last bench spot.
The only way Valdespin makes the team is if he edges out Brown as the fifth outfielder. Nobody looks at Spin as an infielder anymore. Unfortunately, he has an attitude that is wearing thin in the Mets clubhouse. Mike Puma tweeted this week that a player expressed relief that his locker was not near No. 1. That’s Valdespin’s uniform number. They may call this a battle, but Brown has two things going for him – Spin and that he’s Alderson’s boy. That last part is going to matter a lot this Spring.
Anthony Recker will edge out Landon Powell in the battle for who’s the least worst option for Mets backup catcher. Not that Recker is all that better, it’s just seems to be gravitating that way.
There’s no chance that Travis d’Arnaud makes the team out of Spring Training. None. Forget about it. And that goes for Zack Wheeler too.
I’m getting a sneaky feeling that injury or no injury, Frank Francisco is being phased out. The Force is definitely not with him. Brandon Lyon was a solid addition and will be featured late in games, but Bobby Parnell is the top dog on this team, and that became very apparent yesterday.
Pedro Feliciano just shot up to the top of the food chain yesterday. It would take a 8.9 earthquake for him not to be in the bullpen along with fellow southpaw Josh Edgin. Both are locks and that spells Vegas for Robert Carson and Aaron Laffey.
Scott Atchison is another lock, the team is extremely high on him and that means no room at the inn for Mets hopefuls Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia who will both start the season in Vegas, Mejia as a starter and Familia as a reliever.
I will post my next update in a couple of weeks.
