New York Mets roster is built to makes its way to the postseason

The Center Fielders

Juan Lagares is a Gold Glove-winning outfielder known for his out of this world defense, but he’s never been able to hit at the major league level to cement himself as an everyday player. I think this is finally the year Lagares has a nice offensive season, but like so many Mets this year, there just isn’t a lot of playing time.

Lagares will platoon with Broxton, getting occasional starts in center field, almost always coming into the game as a defensive replacement, but the Mets postseason lineup just doesn’t include Lagares at this point.

Keon Broxton is similar to Lagares as he has had a good offensive start to this year, but he just doesn’t have a history of being a good enough hitter to play every day.

In saying that, it doesn’t mean he isn’t an important piece because he surely is, as Lagares and Broxton will both be defensive replacements and will surely get some major at-bats this season.

The Injured

We all know he isn’t the Todd Frazier of his Reds’ days, but he is a key player if the Mets want to return to the postseason. The Mets are currently trying him out at shortstop in his rehab games to see if he can be a back-up there.

To go along with his defensive versatility, he still has a lot of pop in his bat as he can be a veteran pinch-hitter off the bench. Most importantly, he is another vocal leader in that clubhouse, and will be more of a mentor to some players, the same as Robinson Cano but with less on-field production.

Jed Lowrie was a very underrated addition to his team as I still believe he will have a big part in the Mets push for the postseason. He hit 23 home runs last year and drove in an impressive 99 runs. There is no way that the Mets can keep that kind of production out of the lineup once he returns. He will get the bulk of the games at third base, shifting Jeff McNeil to left field.

Although this wouldn’t be the greatest defensive lineup, it would give the Mets the deepest lineup that they’ve had in years. Depth is a huge key in getting 90+ wins this season.

The Really Injured

It would be incredible to get something out of Yoenis Cespedes this year, but it’s just hard to see that happen. We’ve invested a lot of money into Cespedes and it was rightly deserved as he willed us to the 2015 World Series. If he can come back late this season, fully healthy, he could be the difference between making the postseason and winning the World Series.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Overall, the Mets have incredible depth, an outstanding front of the rotation, and a fantastic closer. The Mets have the pieces for the postseason, now we must wait to see if those pieces come together.