New York Mets: 5 Players Who Are in Serious Danger of Being Cut or Demoted

Spring training begins on a hopeful note, yet it inevitably ends bitterly for some players.

Not everyone will crack the Opening Day 25-man roster or even keep a job. It's simple, cold, unfeeling math.

Like many clubs, the New York Mets have tough decisions to make in the outfield, bullpen and starting rotation, among other places, as the exhibition slate wears on.

Here's a look at five players in New York's big league camp who are in danger of being cut or demoted. It isn't the happiest topic, but it's unavoidable. 

(And no, you won't find any Tim Tebow talk.)

Gavin Cecchini, INF

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The 12th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Gavin Cecchini made his MLB debut in 2016 and cracked a pair of doubles in six at-bats.

This spring, the 23-year-old is 7-for-14 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI and five runs scored. That's a .500 average, for those keeping score at home.

With veteran David Wright battling injury issues, there's uncertainty in the Mets infield. Second baseman Neil Walker's contract is up at season's end.

For now, however, despite his strong Grapefruit League showing, Cecchini appears ticketed for Triple-A Las Vegas, with Wilmer Flores and T.J. Rivera the favorites to claim backup infield gigs.

Adam Wilk, LHP

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The Mets bullpen ranked third in the National League in ERA (3.51) and second in strikeouts per nine innings (9.75) last season.

With closer Jeurys Familia facing a likely domestic violence suspension, though, reinforcements may be needed.

Non-roster invitee Adam Wilk was an interesting dark horse coming into camp. The 29-year-old journeyman has held his own, allowing two earned runs and striking out six in 6.2 innings.

But with Addison Reed, Fernando Salas, Jerry Blevins, Hansel Robles, Josh Edgin and Sean Gilmartin all looking like safe bets to make the pen, and Rafael Montero having fanned 10 in seven frames, there isn't room for Wilk.

Tom Gorzelanny, LHP

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The same holds true for lefty reliever Tom Gorzelanny, another non-roster invitee who came into spring with real hopes.

"You don't want to go somewhere where you don't have an opportunity," the 12-year veteran said in February, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "I felt like the Mets, I had a decent opportunity of making this club."

Gorzelanny hasn't helped his cause, yielding seven hits, four walks and six earned runs in four innings, "good" for a 13.50 ERA.

The 34-year-old may catch on somewhere. It's highly unlikely it'll be in Queens.

Brandon Nimmo, LF/CF/RF

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Yoenis Cespedes is the Mets' left fielder and offensive anchor. After that, the outfield picture is murky.

Veterans Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson are guaranteed roster spots. Michael Conforto is 9-for-25 this spring with a double and two home runs. Juan Lagares is hitting .095 but might be the only qualified defensive center fielder in the bunch. 

That leaves no space for Brandon Nimmo, who played left, center and right field for New York last season and hit .274 in 32 games.

The 23-year-old is 10-for-21 in the Grapefruit League and clearly ready for an extended big league audition. When he gets it, it might be somewhere else.

"If I were a betting man," an unnamed scout said, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, "I would bet that Nimmo is on another team at the deadline."

Seth Lugo, RHP

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Barring health issues (pound in wood, Mets fans), the top four slots in the Mets rotation belong to Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Steven Matz. 

That leaves one spot for Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo. 

Both pitchers made their MLB debuts in 2016, and both showed flashes. The 23-year-old Gsellman, though, came into spring as the favorite and has done enough to hang on to that status.

Lugo is representing Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic after posting a 3.86 ERA in three spring appearances with the Mets.

The 27-year-old might not make the Opening Day roster, but given the snakebitten nature of New York's starting staff, he'll almost surely get a chance at some point in 2017.

All statistics current as of March 8 and courtesy of MLB.com and Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.