With the Mets apparently done for the offseason, their 40-man roster is set heading into Spring Training. Here’s the 25-man roster that I project will take the field on Opening Day.
The first 23 spots are pretty much set, leaving one vacancy in the bullpen, and one on the bench. I believe the Mets will go with Miguel “Swingman” Batista in the ‘pen, and Mike Baxter on the bench. Other bullpen possibilities are D.J. Carrasco, Pedro Beato, Josh Stinson, or Danny Herrera, the latter of whom recently cleared waivers. On the bench, you may also see a Josh Satin (the team has expressed the need for a right-handed hitting 1B/3B), Adam Loewen, or maybe a surprise middle infielder, like Reese Havens or Jordany Valdespin.
This is all assuming perfect health, of course, which is quite an assumption, considering recent history.
Without further adieu…
| # | Pitchers | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB |
| 46 | Manny Acosta | R-R | 6’4″ | 215 | 1-May-81 |
| 40 | Tim Byrdak | L-L | 5’11″ | 190 | 31-Oct-73 |
| 43 | R.A. Dickey | R-R | 6’2″ | 220 | 29-Oct-74 |
| 50 | Frank Francisco | R-R | 6’2″ | 250 | 11-Sep-79 |
| 35 | Dillon Gee | R-R | 6’1″ | 205 | 28-Apr-86 |
| 47 | Miguel Batista | R-R | 6’1′ | 210 | 19-Feb-71 |
| 49 | Jon Niese | L-L | 6’4″ | 215 | 27-Oct-86 |
| 39 | Bobby Parnell | R-R | 6’4″ | 200 | 8-Sep-84 |
| 34 | Mike Pelfrey | R-R | 6’7″ | 250 | 14-Jan-84 |
| 52 | Ramon Ramirez | R-R | 5’11″ | 200 | 31-Aug-81 |
| 60 | Jon Rauch | R-R | 6’10″ | 290 | 27-Sep-78 |
| 57 | Johan Santana | L-L | 6’0″ | 210 | 13-Mar-79 |
| # | Catchers | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB |
| 13 | Mike Nickeas | R-R | 6’0″ | 215 | 13-Feb-83 |
| 30 | Josh Thole | L-R | 6’1″ | 215 | 28-Oct-86 |
| # | Infielders | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB |
| 29 | Ike Davis | L-L | 6’4″ | 230 | 22-Mar-87 |
| 28 | Daniel Murphy | L-R | 6’2″ | 205 | 1-Apr-85 |
| 11 | Ruben Tejada | R-R | 5’11″ | 185 | 27-Oct-89 |
| 2 | Justin Turner | R-R | 6’0″ | 210 | 23-Nov-84 |
| 4 | Ronny Cedeno | R-R | 6’0′ | 190 | 2-Feb-83 |
| 5 | David Wright | R-R | 6’0″ | 210 | 20-Dec-82 |
| # | Outfielders | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB |
| 44 | Jason Bay | R-R | 6’2″ | 210 | 20-Sep-78 |
| 23 | Mike Baxter | L-R | 6’0′ | 190 | 7-Dec-84 |
| 56 | Andres Torres | S-R | 5’9″ | 200 | 26-Jan-78 |
| 12 | Scott Hairston | R-R | 6’0′ | 205 | 25-May-80 |
| 21 | Lucas Duda | L-R | 6’4″ | 255 | 3-Feb-86 |
13 comments
Reese
1/13/2012-4:01pm at 4:01 pm (UTC -4)
I have a feeling that Rob Johnson may edge out Mike Nickeas for the backup role. In the minors Nickeas hit just .237 and you would expect a drop-off in the show. While Johnson has done nothing to distinguish himself in his aggregate of approximately one full season’s worth of ABs in the bigs, he has more power and a minor league .271 AVG to go along with a similarly superior defensive game. Granted, if you’re seeking offense from a backup defensive specialist, then you have bigger problems to solve.
I’d love to see the elder Vinny Rottino crack the roster for his versatility. Last year in AAA in the notoriously hitter friendly PCL (but in the low altitude New Orleans) he hit .294 with 10 HRs and 59 RBIs. In addition to playing behind the dish, he also played both LF and RF as well as 1B. He would give you the option to pinch hit for both Thole and his backup if necessary. He’d also give you a RH bat to spell Davis against a particularly tough lefty or for the occasional day off. Satin could do the same, but he’s pretty much limited to the corners. The Mets would seem to be covered at 3B with Murphy and Cedeño and even Tejada to backup Wright if he needed a day off. They could slot Murphy or Baxter (if he’s the 5th outfielder) in at 1B, but then you have a lefty backing up a lefty. Furthermore, Murphy is NOT going to get better at 2B if you keep shuffling him around.
Speaking of Baxter, I have no clue as to his defensive abilities, but it would seem that Duda may be in need of late inning replacement. I suppose that could be Hairston, but based on 2011, he’s the first pinch hitter off the bench and could be out of the game already. Towards that end, I would think the 5th OF spot should be a defensive specialist. I don’t know that the team has anyone that profiles that way except perhaps Niewenhuis, but he needs more time in the minors.
I also don’t necessarily see it’s a given that Turner makes the team. With Murphy at 2B and Tejada at SS the ABs for someone like Turner are apt to be fairly limited. Cedeño is here strictly for his glove (since he does nothing else remotely competently), so he would be the backup to either of those positions. Would they be better served with a more potent bat like Satin or Lutz rather than Turner (who still has a minor league option left?)
On the pitching, I think you nailed the rotation and bullpen as it will be. However, I think they would be better served by having someone like Chuck James as an additional lefty and sending Parnell to learn to be an everyday closer at AAA. He also has an option left. Right now you figure to have Ramirez as the 7th inning guy, Rauch in the 8th and Francisco in the 9th. That leaves not much opportunity for another righty in addition to Acosta.
NJstuckinTX
1/13/2012-7:29pm at 7:29 pm (UTC -4)
Solid analysis. I agree.
Stick
1/13/2012-6:18pm at 6:18 pm (UTC -4)
I think Loewen is a dark horse for that last OF spot. and certainly Johnson can win the BU catcher job, and 1-2 of the pen slots could shuffle.
but other than that, as of today, it could be it. Injuries willing of course.
Hazmet
1/13/2012-10:19pm at 10:19 pm (UTC -4)
Sigh, well one NY team just got a whole lot better tonight. No surprise which one.
Mr North Jersey
1/13/2012-11:08pm at 11:08 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know much on either player Pineda or Montero but it looks like a good trade for both teams.
Both teams seem to have traded from a position where they feel they have depth. Both players are young and under team control. Both players showed impressive signs when they debuted. Both also have areas of some concern. Montero and his catching ability and Pineda and his 2nd half and ERA away from Safeco field.
Time will tell as always but this looks like a win win for both.
stick
1/13/2012-11:36pm at 11:36 pm (UTC -4)
would be happy if the mets had either end of that deal.
beauty of a farm system with multiple guys at a premium position (that are highly rated). You can trade them for something you are missing.
MetsFan4Decades
1/14/2012-9:01am at 9:01 am (UTC -4)
ST and injuries…..here’s hoping we don’t start off the year with something in that area we weren’t expecting…
I’ve got doubts about Santana being ready and if not, that may shuffle the BP some.
Reese mentioned Johnson edging out Nickeas but I don’t know about that. I think their first priority for backup might lean towards who is better at handling the pitchers and calling a good game – especially with Niese and Pelfrey.
Stickguy
1/14/2012-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
I thought Johnson was supposed to be well regarded defensively though too?
MetsFan4Decades
1/14/2012-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
Speculation seems to be that Oswalt is looking to sign a one year deal for about 8 million. What do you all think about the Mets going for that?
Half year at about 4 million then trade him to a contender are ASB for a prospect. Insurance as well for the starting rotation and Santana not being ready.
Yeah, I know it’s a pipe dream as they probably could not scrape together an extra 4 million…..
Stickguy
1/14/2012-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
Interesting idea. Could always try and trade Pelfrey to pay for it!
Being completely tapped out sucks, since that is the type of move that can make a difference. I do think you have to plan as if Santana will never pitch again, and take whatever he gives you as found money. And worry about a logjam if it happens!
This team is not that far from being able to compete for at least a WC. Not to go all Ceetar on you, but if they finally have a good year health wise, there is some talent and upside.
Neise finally clicks, Santana can come back reasonably functional (hell, he was doing pretty good pitching with a ripped shoulder), Dickey stays firm, and add an Oswalt, and the rotation is passable to not that bad. BP, that has to work.
You know I am president of the Duda fan club, and he is going to have a monster year. Add DW rebounding with a healthy back, and Ike picking up where he left off, and they will score some runs.
Not quite WS material unless a few WTF things happen too (Havens winning 2B out of ST and cruising to the ROY say), but enough to not be down there with the ’79 crew!
and that is why not being able to make a few “right now” moves (like Oswalt, maybe a real catcher or CF) really bugs me.
MetsFan4Decades
1/14/2012-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
If all stay relatively healthy we should score some runs, for sure. On paper the BP has improved. It’s that starting rotation that looks less than mediocre, IMO.
Duda…..maybe he will have that monster year at the plate you’ve been predicting. If so, I hope it’s not overshadowed by his play in the field…..
Stickguy
1/14/2012-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
rotations seem to be the biggest varaible though year to year. Always seem to be some guys that finally put it together, and others that just lose it.
Santana, who the hell knows. But DIckey I think will be solid, and I expect Neise to have his beak out year. Beyond that, they could use a couple more guys for sure!
1st half 2010 Pelf? That would help. Santana with something left? Obviously a plus. But, I really thought they needed another SP or 2 to stabilize the rotation. Oswalt certainly being an interesting idea.
And I still say put Duda in LF and Bay platooning in RF is the best way to go.
Paul Festa
1/14/2012-4:52pm at 4:52 pm (UTC -4)
For 8 mil, I’d do it – like you said, he would be tradeable at that salary. Here was my analysis on Roy Oswalt from October: http://realdirtymets.com/2011/10/24/lidge-and-oswalt-options-for-the-mets/