Mets Roster: One starter, one reliever, one bat in danger of demotion

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Mar 27, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi (47) delivers a pitch in the 2nd inning of the spring training game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2021 New York Mets roster is about as solid as we could have hoped. They upgraded in multiple areas, leaving us with only a few questionable spots among the 26 men on the Opening Day roster.

No roster is perfect from the jump. As the season progresses, for one reason or another, players lose their job. We already know a few members of the Mets Opening Day roster won’t be around all season long because the club has a few injured players healing up to replace them at some point.

While the Mets do have a few DFA candidates, I’m going to leave them off of the list I want to discuss. This is a list of the three men I think are in most danger of a demotion. They will need to perform well early to stick around.

Mets starter in the most danger of a demotion: Joey Lucchesi

Of course the Mets starting pitcher in the most danger of seeing his job taken away is the number five guy, Joey Lucchesi. Even if he doesn’t ultimately file in as the fifth starter to begin the year, there’s little question he’s fifth on the depth chart.

Lucchesi’s future with the Mets is something I’m greatly interested in seeing unfold. A relatively unknown young pitcher with an upside to his name, the Mets went out and acquired him this offseason in a trade without much media attention. He impressed the coaching staff and front office enough to win a job out of camp.

Although an early roster spot winner, he’ll need to pitch well to keep his roster spot over David Peterson.

Carlos Carrasco will be back before we know it and this probably signals the end of Lucchesi’s time starting. He could slot in as a reliever if he’s pitching well enough and the Mets view him as a greater asset throwing big league innings as opposed to stretching out on the farm.

Lucchesi’s inevitable demotion isn’t as great of an insult as one might be for the other two names I have on my list.

Aug 29, 2020; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Robert Gsellman pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Mets reliever in the most danger of a demotion: Robert Gsellman

I would say Jacob Barnes is in the most danger of losing employment with the Mets altogether, but I already introduced a few parameters earlier as to why he wouldn’t qualify. Were you even paying attention?!?!

Robert Gsellman, on the other hand, has minor league options. He was the biggest surprise to crack the Opening Day roster. I don’t think the Mets will flinch to demote him if he struggles early on.

The leash attached to Gsellman’s right hand is a short one. I’m not talking about one of those retractable dog leashes you see (mostly) irresponsible pet owners use out in public. I’m referring to the kind you see wrapped around a kid’s waist at an amusement park.

Gsellman hasn’t pitched well for two years. Even in 2018 when he started off strong, things went downhill before the season was through. He’s caught somewhere between a mop-up reliever and emergency starter. In whatever role the Mets have put him in, he has sunk.

As soon as Seth Lugo returns, I could see New York sending Gsellman down to Syracuse—not geographically of course. Although, that would be a great punishment to make someone navigate both poles to reach their minor league assignment.

I know I didn’t talk much baseball here. Gsellman’s performance and lack of stability on the roster are, after all, quite clear for all of us at this point. We’re fed up and demand better results.

Mar 9, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets right fielder Albert Almora Jr. (4) catches a pop fly directly in front of his face during the fifth inning of a spring training game between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /

Mets bat in the most danger of a demotion: Albert Almora

I like Albert Almora even if I have never once correctly typed his name on the first try. In my head, it’s always Alberto Almora. The flow of that is just so magnificent.

Despite my admiration—which was not immediate—I don’t think Almora has much job security. He has minor league options and when Jose Martinez returns from the IL, Almora better have a batting average over the Mendoza Line.

Once the Mets signed Kevin Pillar, Almora’s purpose became a whole lot less important. He was brought into Flushing as a defensive replacement for Brandon Nimmo late in games. Pillar can handle those duties. So, unless Almora is excelling well on both sides of the baseball, why keep him around when you can explore a few other options?

Almora is young in the baseball world so a demotion wouldn’t exactly be a major gut punch. Some extra at-bats in the minor leagues might actually help him develop into the player the Chicago Cubs once thought they had.

Unlikely to ever become a regular for the Mets outside of a major injury, I can see Almora working with this ball club as a fourth outfielder sometime in the future.

This year, he’s the fifth outfielder and a guy who will have to earn every plate appearance he gets.

Next. Putting a bow on the Mets offseason

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Mets starter in the most danger of a demotion: Joey Lucchesi

Mets reliever in the most danger of a demotion: Robert Gsellman

Mets bat in the most danger of a demotion: Albert Almora

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