Mets Players Who Are in Serious Danger of Being Cut or Demoted

With MLB spring training in full swing, some players are battling with each other to get a spot in the starting lineup or pitching rotation. Others are fighting just to have a spot on the roster.

Those roster-spot battles can be the difference between a mediocre minor league salary and a much larger major league salary. It can even make or break a baseball career for some.

Here are a few New York Mets who could be on the bubble for making a roster spot.

SP Rafael Montero

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The majority of the Mets' pitching staff is set except for who will be the second left-handed reliever.

More than likely, the rotation will consist of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler, Jon Niese and Bartolo Colon. Noah Syndergaard could have a shot to make the rotation out of spring training, but there is nothing guaranteed just yet.

The bullpen should consist of Bobby Parnell, Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia, Vic Black, Josh Edgin and Carlos Torres. This would leave one open spot in the bullpen for what would presumably be a second left-handed reliever.

But where exactly would Rafael Montero fit in? He was somewhat inconsistent in his rookie season in 2014 with a 1-3 record and a 4.06 ERA in 10 appearances (including eight starts). He got 42 strikeouts in 44.1 innings pitched, but he struggled with his control and allowed 23 walks.

If Montero were to make the Mets' Opening Day roster, it would almost certainly be in a bullpen role, but whether that spot for him will be there by April has yet to be determined. Montero could begin the year with Triple-A Las Vegas once again.

SS Ruben Tejada

Uncredited/Associated Press

With Wilmer Flores all but set to start at shortstop this season, Ruben Tejada will likely be the backup middle infielder on Opening Day.

Tejada has experience at both positions but played shortstop for the majority of 2014. For the season, he hit .237 with a .652 OPS, five home runs and 34 RBI.

Tejada may end up battling with Matt Reynolds for a roster spot, so although Tejada probably will remain the Mets' backup middle infielder, there is a chance that may not happen if the team is more intrigued by Reynolds by April.

CF Matt den Dekker

USA TODAY Sports

Matt den Dekker may not exactly have a good chance at being cut per se, but it's still not likely he will make the Mets' Opening Day roster.

With Kirk Nieuwenhuis having "run out of options" going forward, according to Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com, it would make a lot more sense for the Mets to demote den Dekker than to risk losing Nieuwenhuis through waivers.

If den Dekker wants to make the Opening Day roster this year, he will really have to earn it.

All statistics shown are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.