This is a follow up to Mack’s
post the other day “My 2020 outlook”, with the focus on the 26th
man.
In 2020, MLB Rosters will expand to 26. For doubleheaders it will increase to 27
players.
What will the Mets do?
Locks so far:
12 – Pitchers: Jacob deGrom; Noah Syndergaard; Marcus Stroman; Rick Porcello; Michael Wacha; Steven
Matz; Edwin
Diaz; Jeurys Familia; Justin Wilson; Brad
Brach; Robert Gsellman; Seth
Lugo.
2 – Catchers: Wilson Ramos;
Tomas Nido (or Ali
Sanchez or other backup).
5 - Infielders: Pete
Alonso; Robinson Cano; J.D.
Davis; Amed Rosario; Dominic Smith;
4 - Outfielders: Michael Conforto; Brandon Nimmo; Jeff
McNeil (that is how he is listed on Mets.com); Jake Marisnick;
That is a total of 23.
If you add Yoenis Cespedes; Jed
Lowrie; and a 13th Pitcher – that’s 26.
A 13th pitcher?
Really? That’s 8 relief
pitchers. Plus, you probably would be
able to add an extra one from AAA for double headers if needed.
Back in the day when MLB teams would only carry 10 pitchers,
the Mets and other major league teams had pinch hitting specialists. For the Mets it was Rusty Staub, Lenny Harris,
and Ed Kranepool, to name a few. Rusty
and Lenny would have over 80 pinch hit at bats a year.
Rusty has the Mets Pinch Hit record with 24 pinch hits in
one year.
In 2019, J.D. Davis, Wilson Ramos, and Dominick Smith were
tied for the Mets lead with 8 Pinch Hits each.
J.D. Davis led the Mets in Pinch Hit At-Bats with just 33!
So while the Mets no longer have that one big pinch hitter like
Rusty Staub or Lenny Harris, they have multiple players that can be mixed and
matched.
To maximize Wilson Ramos, I would carry three catchers and only
start him 4 games a week. This would
give help keep him fresh all season which should help his defense and his
offense. Plus, when key situations arise
in games he does not start, he can be used as a pinch hitter without the fear
of having no additional catcher on the bench.
Plus if Jed Lowrie is able to play, he gives the Mets a lot
of options as an infield super sub and switch hitting pinch hitter.
Want more? If Yoenis Cespedes comes back, he
might not be able to play every day which would give you another potentially big
weapon of the bench.
The Nationals proved this past year how valuable a strong
bench can be. Believe it or not, I think
the Mets could have as good if not better bench if they get their 2020 Roster
right.
But please, no 13 pitchers.
13 pitchers would be dumb.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that guys don't pinch hit more - there are so many more pitching switches than in the old days.
I really think a 3rd catcher is the way to go - 1) Ramost 2) a catcher who could start for a month or 2 if Ramos got hurt and not totally capsize the position and 3) a great defensive catcher. Ali is better than Nido defensively - I'd prefer him.
To my mind, Nido is not a # 2 caliber - and barely a # 3 caliber.
The one piece I really see as movable in that top 26 besides Nido is Dom Smith - great kid, probably would be an average MLB 1B starter, but no room at the inn.
Based upon this article where is there room for the Mets to pick up a reliever and put him on the roster without a trade?
ReplyDeleteTo starts, in April, I choose an 8th reliever with the goal to cut that back to 7 in May after the results for all of them in April are judged.
ReplyDeleteRaw,
ReplyDeleteAnd the roster is current;y at 40 so if they Mets add players some will need to go.
Tom,
We may also see one of your favorites as the 26th man - Sam Haggerty. He can pinch run and play multiple IF and OF positions.
What is your feeling if Gimenez has a great spring training and after he did so well in AFL league the chances of him being this 26th player?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question Raw. I think it depends on how much he'd play at the MLB level. I'd hate for him to be the 26th man and then rot on the bench. I'd rather that he play everyday in AAA (and not because then I'd get to see him play). But we've never seen Carlos Beltran manage before. We don't know the kinds of players he likes to have on his bench. He may like talent over versatility or experience. If that is the case, then Gimenez mmay get the 26th slot.
ReplyDeleteThere is reason to rush Gimenez at any position.
ReplyDeleteFrankly I would play him in Syracuse at 2B or in the outfield.
Thanks for your answers on Gimenez. But a lot of the sports writers seem to be down on Rosario’s defense. Why not have Gimenez if he can be a defensive substitution in tight games in the late innings like they do with an outfielder. They were raving about his defensive plays in AFL.
ReplyDelete