Reese Kaplan -- Final Roster Decisions Done And Still Happening

So with the pennant race entering its final two weeks there are some roster changes afoot (or already having taken place) which is going to shape the troops for the final couple of dozen games to determine the winner of the NL East.

Now it's difficult to make sense out of what's working and what isn't working when you had Jacob deGrom who looked almost human in his last start going up against the Chicago Cubs and while he struck out ten he also allowed three runs to score.  If this was a normal pitcher with normal expectations you would say that the Mets should be able to win that game after such a high quality start, but as per usual the Mets didn't hit for the man and they fell 4-1.  Coming up this week remaining are David Peterson, Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker.  Any or all of them are capable of good starts but we've also seen each one sputter and fail when needed most, so the outcomes are unpredictable.  

Earlier this week the Mets did make a few roster moves.  Trevor May was returned to the Major League roster after being out for what everyone assumed was a COVID absence since the club never announced what was the cause of his stint on the IL.  He's had an up and down season but is a veteran and when you're facing high pressure regular season games as well as postseason you often want to lean on experienced arms rather than youngsters.  

Also making his return to the Mets this week was the recovered Luis Guillorme who always provided highlight reel defense no matter where he played and until recently was giving credible offensive production as well.  Though his average had dipped down into the .280s, he still worked pitchers well and made them throw a lot more than they would against more aggressive and less patient hitters.  

However, the jury is still out on recovering pitchers Tylor Megill and Drew Smith.  Both are in rehab assignments.  Megill had shined in the first few before being roughed up on Tuesday.  Smith has looked good but needs a few more games before they deem him ready for a return to the big team.  Still, both have shown enough solid performance in the majors during 2022 that everyone is looking for them to make a last minute push towards strengthening the bullpen.  

There are several people in jeopardy of losing their spots on the roster.  Already Deven Marrero has been essentially DFA'd but is unlikely to be claimed by anyone.  Struggling big right hander Bryce Montes de Oca hit the IL with a conveniently timed "hamstring issue" which opened up a roster spot for the return of May. 

What's not as clear is who will depart for the expected returns of both Megill and Smith.  The Mets have gotten very little out of Alex Claudio, Joely Rodriguez, Tommy Hunter and Mychal Givens.  As a gambler I would place bets that Hunter and one of the pair of lefties are on the bubble as Givens was rock solid for manager Buck Showalter when they were both in Baltimore and managerial faith tends to run deeper sometimes than it should.  Even if for some reason they felt maintaining a pair of lefty relievers as well as David Peterson likely in the pen is considered a postseason necessity, it would still be a shock to see the eight year veteran Givens bite the dust, but when you see the Phillies and Red Sox both DFA Jeurys Familia, anything is indeed possible.