Projecting New York Mets' Final 25-Man Roster at the Start of Spring Games
The 2015 New York Mets’ final 25-man roster for spring training is one that’s strikingly easy to project, with competition limited only to a few key positions.
Most notably, the Mets front office will face a decision about the future of pitcher Dillon Gee. With already impressive depth in the starting rotation, the Mets will likely either trade Gee or move him to the bullpen to make room for the talent that surrounds him.
Other than that, however, the remainder of the projections seem fairly straightforward and easily predictable. In a recent column for ESPN New York, Mets writer Adam Rubin referred to the roster as a “snoozefest” when discussing projections.
One person who’s not bored by the roster, however, is longtime Mets fan and famous actor Viggo Mortensen.
“Something that jumps out at you when you look at the way the Mets’ roster is shaping up for the upcoming season is the fact that GM Sandy Alderson managed to hold onto most of the important pieces of the 2014 team,” writes Mortensen in his predictions about the upcoming season for the New York Post.
Mortensen is certainly not wrong in this assertion. In fact, an October 2014 headline from MLB.com writer Anthony DiComo projected “small but impactful changes” for the 2015 Mets roster.
“People tend to overlook the team’s offensive capabilities,” Mortensen continues. “As with the pitching staff, the hitting lineup for the Mets is quite young, full of potential.”
While the health and future production for many of these names are unpredictable, the roster at the start of spring training is nearly finalized. So step right up and meet the Mets!
Infield
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1. Travis d’Arnaud, Catcher
This spot is a near lock for the 26-year-old catcher, who returned to the Mets with a vengeance after a brief demotion to the minors last season. Despite a cold start to the season, his final 69 games after remaking the MLB roster provided numbers more similar to what was expected from d’Arnaud: .272 batting average with 10 home runs.
2. Lucas Duda, First Base
It’s worth noting that Duda is still unable to swing the bat, which officially moves his recent muscle strain injury to “longer than expected” status. While his setback may last another week, fans ought to expect the slugger to come back with all the power necessary to boast another impressive season in 2015. Last season, Duda hit 30 home runs—which left him with the third-most home runs in the National League.
3. Daniel Murphy, Second Base
This offseason, the Mets secured former New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long as their own addition to staff. When he was asked which offensive player could take a leap to greatness this season, his answer caught many off guard. “Murphy,” Long said, via Kevin Kernan of the New York Post. “A batting title is not out of his grasp.”
Murphy, who made the National League All-Star team for the Mets last season, has lots to prove with lofty expectations like that. But there's reason to believe in this longtime Mets infielder.
4. David Wright, Third Base
David Wright’s public confidence gives fans reason to believe that this Mets team is for real. He is a seven-time National League All-Star, two-time Gold Glove Award winner, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and once hit 30 home runs and stole 30 bases in the same season. He played hurt last season, which was one of his worst, but the 32-year-old Wright certainly has more to prove as a leader in his MLB career.
5. Wilmer Flores, Shortstop
Flores, by far, has become the most controversial figure for this Mets roster. Last season, he earned the starting role after Tejada had it secured on Opening Day. While media and fans alike have called on general manager Sandy Alderson (ad nauseam) to replace Flores as the starting shortstop for the Mets for 2015, there’s been no move to do such.
Outfield
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6. Michael Cuddyer, Left Field
Cuddyer has only started at left field three games during his 13 MLB seasons. That’s likely because he lost hearing in his left ear due to an infection when he was 11 years old. But he comes into the season confident and accommodating of Granderson, who played right field for the Mets last season.
“I don’t have much experience, but there’s no saying I can’t go over there and learn,” said Cuddyer, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
7. Juan Lagares, Center Field
A recent blog post by Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports that manager Terry Collins would prefer to see Lagares in the leadoff spot for the Mets’ batting order. While Lagares was forced to miss the final 10-game stretch of the season with injury in 2014, the Mets are reportedly monitoring his elbow heading into the season.
“We're watching it intently,” said Collins, according to Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com. “We'll monitor it during the season of pregame stuff.”
8. Curtis Granderson, Right Field
Mets manager Terry Collins has hinted that Granderson will keep his role in right field in 2015, as reported by Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. This offseason, the Mets moved their outfield walls five to 10 feet in across the stadium. According to Marc Carig from Newsday, Alderson estimated that the new dimensions would have produced an additional nine home runs for Granderson in 2014.
Long, the new hitting coach for the Mets, worked with Granderson during his stint with the Yankees. "I wanted to see [Long] before we got things going [at spring camp]," said Granderson, per Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News (h/t Chris Cwik of CBSSports.com).
Bench
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9. John Mayberry Jr., First Base/Outfield
In a recent story on the advanced baseball statistics website FanGraphs, Bobby Mueller determined that John Mayberry Jr. was the “King of the Pinch Hitters” in 2014. With 32 appearances as a pinch hitter last season, the Stanford graduate was remarkable and recorded an impressive .438 on-base percentage with a .933 slugging percentage.
10. Ruben Tejada, Infielder
The main sources of competition for Tejada this preseason are Matt Reynolds and Wilfredo Tovar. Both prospects are likely chomping at the bit for the opportunity to make an MLB roster often criticized for a lack of depth.
In February, former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes criticized Tejada for not securing the starting gig in an interview with Anthony Rieber of Newsday. But all offseason, Collins has made it clear that the shortstop competition is an open competition and that Tejada remains an option.
11. Anthony Recker, Catcher
Recker, 31, is an MLB veteran, and this season is his third with the organization. He gets the spot over Johnny Monell and Kevin Plawecki, at least to start the season. "As long as I come in and work my butt off, and do what I need to do, I belong on the team," Recker told Paul Ivice of Newsday. "But that doesn't mean I assume I am on the team."
12. Eric Campbell, Utility
The reason why Campbell is valuable to the Mets next season is because he can play nearly anywhere on the field. According to Adam Rubin (h/t Chris Schubert of Amazin' Avenue), Campbell is even getting time at catcher this offseason.
"He's going to wear every one of those gloves that's in his bag this spring," said Collins, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com (h/t Brandon Wise of CBSSports.com). "He's going to play at third. He's going to play a little bit in the outfield. He's that kind of a guy."
13. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Outfield
Both Nieuwenhuis and Cesar Puello are out of options in the minor leagues and would need to make the MLB roster to not get cut. In a recent story for Newsday, however, Paul Ivice wrote that Nieuwenhuis has the “inside track” to the roster spot because he’d need to clear waivers if sent to the minors.
The biggest competition for this position is Matt den Dekker. While den Dekker has looked ready for the MLB, he’s a more viable option to store in the minors without worry.
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Rotation
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14. Matt Harvey, RHP
For the first time since 2013, when he was shut down and required Tommy John surgery, Harvey pitched against batters. According to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, everyone is talking about his impressive, newly developed curveball. Mets fans are excited to have him back; he just needs to watch his inning total.
“It’s almost like having a new player,” explained Alderson, via Ackert. “Or a young player coming up through system. There is some sense of anticipation.”
15. Jacob deGrom, RHP
How do you come back from a season in which you became a sudden sensation as an MLB pitcher? After taking home NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2014, deGrom has plenty more to prove this season.
“Yeah, I try not to think about it,” said deGrom, according to Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News. “I think there’ll be a little more [pressure] and I’m sure I’ll put a little more pressure on myself. But I’m going to try not to.”
16. Zack Wheeler, RHP
In a recent story for the New York Daily News, Kristie Ackert wrote that Wheeler is an obvious contender to get the start on Opening Day. “It would be a great honor to get that start,” said Wheeler. “But really it’s not what I am thinking about this spring training. I am really focusing on working on stuff, cutting down on my pitches and getting better.”
17. Jon Niese, LHP
The conversation regarding job security in the pitching rotation would likely cause anxiety for a back-of-the-rotation starter for the Mets. Fortunately for Niese, however, he is the only lefty in the rotation, which allows significant additional job security. “They told me they didn’t want to move me,” Niese told Kevin Kernan of the New York Post. “I’d love to stay. I don’t see myself going anywhere.”
18. Bartolo Colon, RHP
This is a spot coveted by Dillon Gee, Rafael Montero, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz. Yet no matter where you read, everyone projects Colon to earn the spot in the rotation. The reason is simple: Colon is entitled $11 million for his final year under contract for the Mets.
While the other names are a bit “sexier” than Colon, they’ll soon have time to develop and fight for a spot on the MLB roster once the money is no longer owed to Colon. Regardless, let’s not forget that Colon has won 43 games over the course of the last three seasons.
Bullpen
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19. Jenrry Mejia, RHP
Going into the 2015 MLB season, Mejia has become an early favorite for the most likable player on the Mets roster. Not only has he single-handedly rebirthed the “we gotta believe!” campaign heading into the season, but he’s also very accommodating.
“Whatever Terry Collins wants me to do, I've got to do. I'll go out there,” said Mejia, via Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. “I'll go to the bullpen, throw the seventh, ninth, eighth inning—whatever they want me to do."
20. Jeurys Familia, RHP
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said that Familia was “maybe as good as any reliever in baseball for the season’s final five months.” These are extraordinarily high expectations for the young pitcher. But it’s not unreasonable to think that he will continue to thrive in a setup position or another essential role in an already impressive bullpen.
21. Dillon Gee, RHP
Gee, 28, is a viable pitching option for almost any starting rotation. Regardless, it’s his name thrown in the mix for nearly every trade rumor involving the Mets. According to Chris Cotillo of the MLB Daily Dish on SB Nation, the Rangers have interest in trading for Gee, and Jurickson Profar is the main name thrown around for Texas.
On Twitter, however, Anthony DiComo reported that Alderson has had little to no recent trade talk about Gee. If he isn’t traded, he’s likely not making the rotation and will join the Mets bullpen.
22. Vic Black, RHP
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be pleased to learn that Black spent much of the offseason growing an enormous, wild ginger beard. In addition to changing his look, he’s also changed his mindset. “Now it's just understanding that spring is a preparation for April rather than, I think in my mind, it was always getting ready for day one of spring training,” said Black, via Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com.
23. Carlos Torres, RHP
It’s important to note that Mets reliever Bobby Parnell will likely start the season on the disabled list. As such, he doesn’t have a spot included on the 25-man roster. When he does come back to the bullpen, I’d expect a right-handed pitcher to lose his spot on the MLB roster so the Mets could have two lefties in the bullpen. It may be Torres, considering the young talent for righties otherwise in the bullpen.
Last season, however, Torres looked good in 72 relief appearances as the long relief pitcher. But I’d expect to see Rafael Montero, another right-handed pitching prospect with lots of hype, join the bullpen later in the season as a long relief pitcher as well given that Torres, 32, is getting older and may lose productivity.
24. Sean Gilmartin, LHP
According to Adam Rubin, if Gilmartin is not offered a spot on the MLB roster, he will be offered back to the Minnesota Twins. His role as a left-handed pitcher is an essential reason why the Mets ought to keep him around.
While his career in the minors was mainly as a starting pitcher, he’s had success against left-handed batters. Last season, lefties hit just .190 against him, and he boasted a 9-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. If he doesn’t get the spot, expect it to go to Scott Rice.
25. Josh Edgin, LHP
Edgin secures this spot to start the season because he’s a lefty, and I expect him to hold onto it. He projects as the first lefty out of the bullpen for the Mets next season and will likely have an increased role in 2015. "I'd just like to pitch," Edgin told Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com. "I'll face a righty or a lefty, it doesn't matter to me. Yeah, it'd be nice facing righties every now and then."
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