Former Mets with a chance to win a World Series ring in 2019
The New York Mets aren’t winning the 2019 World Series, but these former members of the orange and blue have a shot at adding a ring to their finger.
The 2019 season ended in disappointing fashion for the New York Mets. The team finished as the best National League team to miss the postseason.
While fans of the orange and blue won’t have an opportunity to see their team compete for a World Series championship, there are opportunities to see several former Mets try to earn a ring.
I’ll give an honorable mention to Nelson Cruz who never actually played for the big league Mets, but spent some time in their minor league system.
Justin Turner: Los Angeles Dodgers
Odds to win the World Series: 9/4
Justin Turner has been a thorn in the Mets side for so long, that it’s difficult to picture him during his days in orange and blue. While his career certainly reached new heights when he became a member of the Dodgers in 2014, he had four solid seasons in Queens.
Turner is expected to be the regular starter at third base as Los Angeles seeks its third straight World Series appearance. If his history of success in the postseason is any indication, he may be well on his way to acquiring something he was unable to attend during his time with the Mets: A World Series ring.
Anthony Swarzak and Adeiny Hechavarria: Atlanta Braves
Odds to win the World Series: 9/1
Casual baseball fans may not be aware that Anthony Swarzak is a member of the Braves’ roster. The veteran pitcher spent just one season (2018) as a member of the Mets bullpen. He was shipped to the Mariners as a minor piece in the Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz blockbuster trade last offseason. After performing well in limited action, he was then flipped in a midseason deal with Atlanta.
Adeiny Hechavarria joins Swarzak as a former Mets competing for the rival Braves. After the Mets cut ties with the infielder in order to sign Joe Panik, be was added by Atlanta to provide depth. It was recently announced that he made the NLDS roster.
Both are expected to play limited roles in the postseason, but both have a chance to make an impact on a potential World Series run in Atlanta.
Asdrubal Cabrera: Washington Nationals
Odds to win the World Series: 12/1
Asdrubal Cabrera is another former Met that has a chance to win with a rival NL East team. The veteran infielder spent three successful years in New York from 2016-2018. After trading the player during the 2018 season and electing not to pursue him in free agency in the 2019 offseason, there were reports that the Mets were interested in a reunion with Cabrera during the latter part of last season.
However, Cabrera expressed public frustration with the Mets for their prior lack of interest and chose instead to play for the rival Nationals.
As the postseason begins, Cabrera is expected to play an important role in Washington’s infield. After finishing the regular season with a .260 average, 18 home runs, and 91 RBI, Cabrera has proven that he can still make an impact with his bat.
Travis d’Arnaud: Tampa Bay Rays
Odds to win the World Series: 28/1
Travis d’Arnaud may be the most surprising player on this list. After seven disappointing seasons with the Mets, d’Arnaud was officially released in May of the 2019 season. After a very brief stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the former top catching prospect was flipped in a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Initially, d’Arnaud was expected to play a limited role as a backup catcher. However, the catcher quickly began to flash some of the skills that made him a great prospect. He overtook a struggling Mike Zunino as the Rays’ primary starter. He finished the season with 92 games in Tampa Bay, posting a 2.63 average, 16 homers, and 67 RBI.
d’Arnaud has already made a postseason impact with the Rays, starting and catching Charlie Morton in the team’s recent wild card victory over the Oakland Athletics.
Neither d’Arnaud nor the Rays were expected to make an impact this postseason. However, each finds themselves with a punchers chance to continue shocking the world as they set their sights on their first championship.
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Which of these ex-Mets would you most like to see add some jewelry to his hand?