Michael Friere - Roster Projection - Rough Draft Edition

We still have a few weeks to go before Pitchers and Catchers report to St Lucie for the start of Spring Training 2018.  With the slow start to the “hot stove” season, I predict that there will be a flurry of activity in the coming weeks all across MLB as teams fill out their rosters and take advantage of the surplus that exists within the market.  I also predict that the Mets will likely make at least one more move to address one or more of the open spots on the roster, whether it be via trade or free agent acquisition.

With that said, I think we can take a quick look at the current roster and put together a “rough draft” of what things may look like once we get to the regular season in late March, into early April.  Players with the dreaded double asterisk next to their names are prime candidates for replacement or movement to a different position, depending on how the next few weeks play out for our GM and our budget.

C1 - Travis d’Arnaud

C2 - Kevin Plawecki

Short of a late acquisition like Jonathan Lucroy, I think you will see a platoon between TDA and KP to start the year.

1B - Adrian Gonzalez

2B - Wilmer Flores** 

SS - Amed Rosario

3B - Asdrubal Cabrera**

MI - Gavin Cecchini**

CI - Matt Reynolds**

INJ - TJ Rivera (CI) and David Wright (3B)

The Gonzalez addition likely puts Dominic Smith back at AAA for the short term, so he can work on his game (and his physique).  I am NOT a fan of Wilmer Flores as the full time starter at 2B, but there aren’t many other options at the moment.  I hope (pray) that Sandy is working on this issue and we get a upgrade at the position (Josh Harrison, perhaps), so Wilmer can move to a utility role (CI).  

Amed Rosario is a future stud and just needs time to develop, while Asdrubal Cabrera will be miscast as the primary starter at 3B.  IF David Wright suddenly finds his health, or another suitable acquisition were to join the roster (like Todd Frazier), then the position would be in better hands and AC can move into a utility role (MI), strengthening the bench in the process. 

Another factor in the infield shuffle will be the health of TJ Rivera, who would likely supplant Matt Reynolds as the CI if and when he is ready to go.

LF - Yoenis Cespedes

CF - Juan Lagares**

RF - Jay Bruce

OF4 - Brandon Nimmo

INJ - Michael Conforto (CF)

The view of the entire Outfield has changed in the last few weeks, due to the unexpected signing of Jay Bruce and the news that the Mets are “slow playing” Michael Conforto’s return.  When MC comes back, he will be our CF because there is no where else to put him, for lack of a better explanation and an obvious example of Sandy valuing offense over defense.  That will push JL out of the lineup, which will make him or possibly Brandon Nimmo expendable.  This issue will be even more complicated because of the possible eight man bullpen that Mickey Callaway is rumored to favor.  That will limit spots on the bench and put a crunch on the roster.

SP1 - Jacob DeGrom

SP2 - Noah Syndergaard

SP3 - Steven Matz

SP4 - Matt Harvey**

SP5 - Zack Wheeler**

The top two spots are set (barring injury) and I like Steven Matz in the #3 spot, since he is the only lefty in the rotation and if healthy, I have the most faith in him when compared to Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler.  I don’t think MH and ZW will be in the rotation for the entire year, due to health issues and/or lack of effectiveness, but I would like to be wrong.  There is some depth here in the form of Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman and Rafael Montero, but I would prefer that they battle it out for spots in the bullpen or become trade assets for other problem areas on the roster.

LR - TBD, but my early guess would be Robert Gsellman**

LL -  TBD, not many lefties on the roster, maybe Matt Purke or Kyle Regnault**

STR - Anthony Swarzak

STL -  Jerry Blevins

SER - AJ Ramos

SEL - Josh Smoker**

CL - Jeurys Familia

Outside of 2B, and maybe 3B, left handed pitchers are the one of the biggest sources of concern on the current roster.  Steven Matz is a solid starter when healthy, but the bullpen is a bit short from the left side after Jerry Blevins, who I project as a situational lefty.  I hope (pray) that Josh Smoker can harness his control and take over the left handed set up role, but that is not guaranteed.  

There are also issues with our left handed and right handed “long relievers” that will likely pitch quite a bit if the starters are pulled after a couple trips through the lineup, as rumored.  Hopefully, someone like a Matt Burke or Kyle Regnault can catch lightning in a bottle and help fill out the bullpen.

That covers twenty-four positions, leaving one opening to be filled on the regular roster.  If they go heavy on the bullpen, then it will likely be another long reliever who can pitch multiple innings.  If not, then maybe another utility type player who can play all over the diamond?

As of this moment, Sandy needs to upgrade either 2B or 3B which will strengthen the lineup and fill out the bench by moving someone like Wilmer Flores and/or Asdrubal Cabrera to a utility role.  Picking up another lefty wouldn’t hurt, not to mention a veteran/dependable starter that can add depth to the rotation and allow someone like Zack Wheeler to move to the bullpen.

Should be an interesting month coming up, right?