With the Mets adding prospects LHP Thomas Szapucki, RHP Jordan Humphreys, C Ali Sanchez, and SS Andres Gimenez to the 40-man roster and designating RHP Drew Gagnon for assignment on Wednesday, the 40 is now full.

They also recently added left-handed relief prospect Blake Taylor to the 40 and claimed lefty Stephen Gonsalves off waivers from the Twins.

Now that the Mets 40-man roster is full, they will have to make a roster move when they sign any player to a major league deal, claimed a player, acquired player already on 40 (without giving up one on 40).

Let’s take a snapshot of how the Mets’ 40-man roster is currently constructed.

Pitchers (24)

Righties (18)                            Lefties (6)
Jacob deGrom                     Steven Matz
Noah Syndergaard             Daniel Zamora
Marcus Stroman                 Blake Taylor
Tyler Bashlor                       Justin Wilson
Edwin Diaz                            Thomas Szapucki
Jeurys Familia                      Stephen Gonsalves
Chris Flexen
Robert Gsellman
Jordan Humphreys
Franklyn Kilome
Walker Lockett
Seth Lugo
Chris Mazza
Stephen Nogosek
Corey Oswalt
Jacob Rhame
Paul Sewald
Drew Smith

There’s certainly a group of arms here that will could be vulnerable when the Mets need a 40 spot including Rhame, Flexen, Bashlor, Nogosek, Sewald, Zamora, and Mazza. Rhame, Flexen, and Walker Lockett are both out of options.

The Mets need to make upgrades in the bullpen this offseason meaning the straight relievers of this group are even more apt to lose their 40 spot.

Catchers (3)

Tomas Nido
Wilson Ramos
Ali Sanchez

With the Mets adding Sanchez, they now have two defensive-minded catchers and GM Brodie Van Wagenen mentioned a veteran defensive catcher as an offseason target. That doesn’t sound good for Nido, and he’s also out of options. If the Mets do add a catcher (without trading Ramos), have to imagine Nido will likely be booted off in some fashion.

Infielders (7)

Pete Alonso – 1B
Amed Rosario – SS
Robinson Cano – 2B
Luis Guillorme – SS, 2B, 3B
Sam Haggerty – 2B, 3B, SS, CF, RF, LF
Andres Gimenez – SS, 2B
Jed Lowrie – 3B, 2B

The only two spots here that look remotely up vulnerable are Luis Guillorme and Sam Haggerty. Guillorme was better with the bat in 2019 (87 wRC+).

Outfielders (3)

Yoenis Cespedes
Brandon Nimmo
Michael Conforto

No roster spots up for grabs here, though if Cespedes needs to start the season on the 60-day injured list that would open one up in February.

Combo (3)

J.D. Davis – 3B, LF
Jeff McNeil – 3B, 2B, LF, RF
Dominic Smith – 1B, RF, LF

With the Mets current roster construction it looks like the Mets will go with McNeil at third base and Davis in left field on most days, with Smith coming off the bench. Both Smith and Davis could be used as trade bait if the Mets acquire another legitimate starting outfielder.

Thoughts

As you can see, if the Mets do make any additions to the 40-man roster the subtractions will likely come from the pitching staff and more specifically bullpen arms that haven’t had much success at the major league level.

Should also note that the Mets only have three healthy outfielders (McNeil showed he can certainly handle it) which is why Van Wagenen mentioned that the Mets are searching for a strong defensive center fielder that hits right-handed.

Have to imagine (well they should at a minimum) that the Mets sign a fifth starter, at least two bullpen arms, and a defensive-minded center fielder to major league deals this offseason, that would be they need to remove four players currently on the 40.