If there is a season in 2020, the MLB is sure to experiment with many different ideas for what is going to be a strange season no matter what. According to multiple reports, Major League Baseball would likely have a universal designated hitter in a shortened 2020 season and the 2021 season.
The need for a universal DH is centered around the fact that divisions will likely be realigned geographically, pinning NL and AL teams against one another in new divisions. If this is the case, the New York Mets could be set to benefit from the rule change more than most National League teams.
One of the problems with the Mets roster construction heading into the season, prior to the league shutdown, was that there were too many solid hitters that were left without a position to play in the field. Left field was set to be a revolving door of offense-first options, that are sub-par defensively. With the DH, those players could now have a home.
Yoenis Cespedes is the most obvious fit to become the Mets designated hitter, as it would be a great way to preserve his legs and keep him in the lineup healthy. Cespedes is two years removed from playing in a big league game. At 34 years old, Cespedes’ health is a major question mark for the Mets, but being a DH could help him greatly.
If Cespedes isn’t able to get into the lineup, or is playing left field, Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis represent two more interesting candidates to get at-bats as the designated hitter. Neither Smith or Davis is a very good outfielder, but both bring great bats into the lineup. Now they could both play at the same time, instead of being relegated into a straight platoon in the left field.
Also the Mets could always use Pete Alonso as the DH, moving Smith over to his natural position of first base, where he is a superior defense player. Robinson Cano and Jed Lowrie are other aging veterans on the Mets roster who could find themselves in the lineup as the DH.
If the MLB ultimately has a season and institutes a universal DH in 2020, then the Mets are going to be in prime position to benefit from that change.
