Reese Kaplan -- The Subs Have Been Helpful But Some Must Go

Examining the Mets roster will leave you scratching your head with many questions.  In fact, you may have more questions than answers. 

That’s a bit odd considering the team is still playing with half the players wrapped in bandages yet they are in first place eight games over .500 and with a 4 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies.  Still, it bears a closer look to try to ascertain what they will do if and when players who have been taking up long term residence on the IL begin to make their way back to playing. 

The first big question is outfielders.  Right now they are using converted first baseman Dom Smith in left field, recovering outfielder Kevin Pillar in center field and whomever Luis Rojas and the front office choose to stick into right field on a given night.  The news on Brandon Nimmo doesn’t suggest he will be back anytime soon with the ligament damage in his finger.  Michael Conforto may be back sooner with projections that he could return in early July.  

So what does that mean for the assortment of castoffs they’ve obtained from other ballclubs to help man the fort while the regulars nurse their wounds?  Right now that list would include Billy McKinney and Mason Williams with Johneshwy Fargas, Jose Martinez, Jeff McNeil and others still unable to take the field.  Albert Almora is doing his rehab games right now but no one is beating a drum insisting he return.  After all, during his tenure with the Mets he was a pretty weak hitting .048 with a 1-for-21 output before his outfield wall collision.  

In Almora’s absence the Mets have seen some interesting output from the substitutes.  Leading the duo is Billy McKinney who has been up 51 times, hit 4 HRs, driven in 12 and is batting .283.  He’s never done this level of performance consistently in the majors before with stops with the Yankees, Blue Jays and Brewers.  If you extrapolated that out to a full season he would have 40 HRs and 120 RBIs.  While no one is expecting him to deliver at that All Star level, what he’s done certainly suggests he may be worth keeping around for awhile.

Mason Williams has only been up 26 times but has a solo home run and is batting .269.  While that performance is competent, it’s not as noteworthy as what McKinney has done.  It’s consistent with the many brief trials he’s had with the Reds, Yankees and Orioles when he’s hit .272 at the major league level.  He doesn’t have much power or speed, but as a spare outfielder he’s probably a good option.  

On the infield the Mets have gotten a lot of innings out of Jose Peraza, another player who wasn’t a part of the original plans.  His .209 AVG is well below his career mark of .267 but he’s showing the power he did earlier in his career with 4 HRs and a dozen RBIs.  He doesn’t have any stolen bases for the Mets, but has thrice exceeded the 20 SB number for the Reds.  He survived the return of Luis Guillorme, though his playing time will take a hit with Jonathan Villar and Francisco Lindor pretty much penciled into the lineup every day.  

Brandon Drury has also been somewhat productive for the Mets.  His .222 AVG is well below his major league career mark of .247.  He’s hit a couple of home runs but not done anything with baserunning.  When Jeff McNeil returns he’s likely on thinner ice than is Jose Peraza.