Paul Articulates – Final decisions to be made

It is getting very close to the regular season.  Final decisions on the 26-man roster are still being made.  All the fans are anxiously awaiting the roster news and the beginning of regular season play.

What decisions need to be made before Thursday?

1) There are still 15 pitchers on the 40-man roster that have not been assigned to the minors or put on the injury list.  Other than the “locks” to make the team, the following 40-man roster players unassigned are:

a. Richard Lovelady - Lovelady is a known entity and was picked up recently as insurance.  He will hit the waiver wire and then maybe be reassigned.

b. Bryan Hudson - Hudson has struggled this spring despite his potential.  

c. Huascar Brazoban – I believe he will make the roster.

d. Luis Garcia – I believe he will make the roster.

e. AJ Minter is not currently listed on the IL although most projections don’t have him ready until May. 

2) There are also several players that are non-roster invites to spring training that have not yet been formally assigned.  Of that group, there are many that have either been reassigned to minor league camp, verbally told they would not be on the MLB roster, or moved to the IL.  Those that are still hanging on include Jack Wenninger, Joe Jacques, Anderson Severino, Bryan Hudson, and Richard Lovelady.  One will make it.

3) There are still 14 position players on the 40-man roster that have not been assigned to the minors or put on the IL.  Other than the “locks” to make the team, the following 40-man roster players unassigned are: 

a. Ben Rortvedt – It is unlikely that the Mets will carry three catchers.

b. Jared Young – Young has an outside chance with the injury to Tauchman.

c. Vidal Brujan – If Lindor had not recovered so quickly, Brujan would have made the team.  With the emergence of Brett Baty as an IF/OF utility man, it is unlikely that Brujan will be retained.

d. Mark Vientos – One would think that Vientos would be a lock, but his performance this spring has been abysmal, and he does not add to the run prevention theme that drove the redesign of this roster.  I think he still makes it with credit from his 2024 season, but it will be a painful decision.

4) There are also several players that are non-roster invites to spring training that have not yet been formally assigned.  Of that group, there are many that have either been reassigned to minor league camp, verbally told they would not be on the MLB roster, or moved to the IL.  Those that are still hanging on include: Carson Benge, Cristian Pache, and Jose Ramos.  Everyone is convinced that Benge has won the starting right field job, but no announcement has been made.  It was likely that the Mets would carry five outfielders, and with Tauchman suffering from a torn meniscus there may be a spot for Pache.  If Benge makes it, it will come down to Young vs Pache.  My money is on Pache.

These decisions will likely be made as late as possible, as David Stearns scans the waiver wire for players released by other teams that could make an impact with the Mets.  

To me, if it comes down to Pache or Jacques or Hudson versus another team’s castoff, I would go with what the team has now.  But you never know…