Reese Kaplan -- Depth in 2019 at Most Positions

Depth has been a problem during the “hope everyone stays healthy” years but for the most part BVW has reinforced the position players and, to a lesser extent, the bullpen should injuries befall the Mets roster once again.  In the past we were shown the likes of James Loney, Austin Jackson, Jose Lobaton, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Eric Campbell and others of that ilk when the regulars were on the shelf for a prolonged period of time.  How have things changed?  Do they have sufficient spare parts?

                         
1B

PC - Ernest Dove

Going into the season we have Todd Frazier most likely penciled into the starting role due to the arrival of Jed Lowrie.  Behind him you have Dom Smith, J.D. Davis and then Peter Alonso waiting in the wings in Syracuse. 

2B

Robinson Cano will surely get the lion’s share of the work here as he is an All Star, Gold Glover and Silver Slugger.  However, behind him you have Jed Lowrie, Jeff McNeil and T.J. Rivera potentially all available.

SS

PC - Ed Delany

Here the roster is still a bit thin.  Amed Rosario turned a lot of heads with his final six weeks of hot hitting and baserunning.  Should he hit the injury list the backups are not idea.  Jed Lowrie hasn’t played much shortstop in recent years.  Luis Guillorme hasn’t demonstrated his offensive or defensive skills in limited playing time.  Non-roster signee Danny Espinosa has a lot of experience and used to flash some power, but at a batting average that would rival Frazier for ineptitude.  Then there's 11th hour addtion, Adeiny Hecchavaria, who has never learned to hit.

3B

Jed Lowrie is getting the starting gig off his sensational 2018 (and his BVW client history).  Another BVW client, Todd Frazier, is being displaced as a result but will be able to back him up.  You also have Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis capable of playing 3B as well as T.J. Rivera assuming he can throw the ball. 

C

PC - Ed Delany

Last year the Mets had the misfortune of losing two catchers in two days.  That led to prolonged stints of Tomas Nido who was greatly overmatched and Jose Lobaton who demonstrated why he spent the majority of the year in the minors.  This year they have Wilson Ramos backed up by Travis d’Arnaud and Devin Mesoraco also in the organization.

OF

PC - Ed Delany

Starters are likely to be Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and then some combination of Jeff McNeil, Juan Lagares and Keon Broxton.  In addition J.D. Davis has logged time in the OF, hopefully with more grace and skill out there than Dominic Smith showed in his trial-by-fire introduction to left field last year.  In the minors there are Gregor Blanco, Rajai Davis and Rymer Liriano awaiting opportunities, though they strike me as all more of the Austin Jackson level which is not very good.

Bullpen

Behind the starting 7 or 8 out there you have several folks in the minors who would love to have a shot at the Show, including Jacob Rhame, Tyler Bashlor, probably Paul Sewald, Tim Peterson, Matt Blackham, David Roseboom, Joshua Torres and others. 

Starting Rotation

Here they are even thinner than they are at shortstop.  After the five regulars, your backup options are Chris Flexen, Corey Oswalt, Drew Gagnon, Kyle Dowdy (if not offered back for failing to make the club out of Spring Training), and others whose likelihood of a successful major league career match that of most Americans starting the day without their cup of coffee – possible but highly doubtful.  If, for example, Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard took a line drive off his knee, the club would be in a world of hurt. 

So, for the most part, BVW has indeed reinforced the club.  Yes, they are thin at SS, not as robust in the OF as you might like and woefully inadequate in the starting rotation if injuries occur.  It’s not perfect but it does represent progress and forethought not seen in the previous eight years under Sandy Alderson…remember him?  He’s the guy who brought you Jason Vargas who pitched to a devilishly bad 6.66 ERA from July through the end of 2017 with batters hitting .297 against him, yet Alderson felt he was a good addition to the 2018 (and 2019) Mets’ staff.  Be grateful there’s a new sheriff in town!