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Three Mets fan favorites who might be in another uniform before Opening Day

By Zachary Rotman

BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets celebrates his grand slam home run with Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Sahlen Field on September 11, 2020 in Buffalo, United States. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets celebrates his grand slam home run with Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Sahlen Field on September 11, 2020 in Buffalo, United States. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 22: Amed Rosario #1 of the New York Mets in action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citi Field on September 22, 2020 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Rays 5-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Amed Rosario

After the second half of the 2019 season when Rosario slashed .319/.351/.484 with seven home runs I thought he would break out and finally give the full season of star production we have been waiting for. The former top prospect did exactly the opposite in 2020. Rosario slashed .252/.272/.371 with four home runs and 15 RBI. In September Rosario lost his everyday starting job to Andres Gimenez.

The big issue with Rosario is if he doesn’t get a hit, he doesn’t get on base. He drew a total of four walks in 147 plate appearances. That number is just unacceptable.

If he is not traded, Rosario will probably platoon with Gimenez. It will be the same situation as 2020 when Gimenez started against the righties and Rosario against the lefties. Luis Rojas also said he expects to use Rosario at other infield positions next season.

Like Smith and Nimmo, Rosario is too talented to be a bench player in my opinion. I still have faith that he will break out eventually. But his approach at the plate must change and his discipline must improve.

I believe of the three listed Rosario is the most likely candidate to be traded. I think Francisco Lindor is going to be dealt before opening day and fully expect the Mets to be in on him. If that trade happens, it makes sense to have Rosario, a young controllable shortstop with great potential, as a piece in the deal.

I believe while Gimenez is the safer option of the two, Rosario has more star potential. We’ve seen glimpses of what he can do with the bat. When he gets hot, he can really hit. And that combined with his speed can make for a really good shortstop. Gimenez to me is a defensive guy with speed who can do well enough with the bat to play every day. While he did better than expected, let’s not act like a .263/.333/.398 slash line with three home runs is elite production.

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If a Francisco Lindor trade offer is on the table and it involved Dom Smith, Rosario, and a mid-low-level prospect, I think they need to do it. Having this much depth on the bench most nights doesn’t make sense to me. But on the contrary, they should not make trades just to make trades. Get the right pieces back that fill holes.

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