NY Mets: 3 players who stepped up in 2021 but are best suited in a part-time role
The New York Mets bench mob has been a brilliant part of the 2021 season. Due to an excessive number of injuries, many of the part-time players have been thrust into a full-time gig. On a nightly basis, we’re seeing lots of expected bench players in the starting lineup.
Naturally, some Mets fans have gotten caught up in the excitement of what these guys have done. That’s a big part of being a fan: being fanatical.
These three Mets have stepped up big time in 2021. However, I don’t see them as viable starting lineup options when the IL clears out or even next season when the club has some big decisions to make.
Jonathan Villar has had a nice run but let’s not make him a Mets regular next year
Jonathan Villar signed a one-year deal with the Mets this offseason so the odds of him returning for the 2022 season are already slim. He is coming off a down year in 2020 which is a big reason why he settled for a part-time gig with the Mets.
An abundance of injuries has led to Villar seeing much more time. He has taken over as the team’s primary third baseman and occasional second baseman and shortstop. Because Villar plays a different style of baseball from many other Mets, some have gotten caught up in the excitement. Speedy and capable of playing defense well, he’s a different type of ballplayer.
I’m hesitant to commit to Villar beyond this year in anything more than a depth role. His overall season numbers are close to his career averages. The one exception is his batting average which has consistently been below the .259 he hit prior to joining the Mets.
Villar is a wonderful piece to have and there’s no doubt he helped save the Mets season. In anything more than a temporary regular role, I don’t think he’s what’s best for this club next year and beyond.
Let’s not kid ourselves, Billy McKinney is not an everyday outfielder yet
Since joining the Mets, Billy McKinney has been awesome to watch. I think this has a lot to do with how poorly some of the other outfield options have done this season. Remember Cameron Maybin? He set the limbo bar pretty low.
Fortunately, the odds of McKinney becoming a starter on the Mets in a situation other than necessity are slim. He has not produced enough prior to joining this club or even with them to justify starting a year with him as the club’s right fielder. Ergo, if the Mets lose Michael Conforto to free agency, it’s not McKinney who will replace him.
I do love the idea of McKinney staying with this ball club and slotting in as a fourth or fifth outfielder. It’s the ideal role for this young and capable player. Anything more is asking too much.
What we’ve seen this year with the Mets is how important it is to have quality players on the bench. McKinney is a newcomer but a guy some fans have gotten caught up in expecting too much from.
I enjoy McKinney as much as the next person. If he’s starting for the team in 2022, it means they missed out in free agency and on the trade market.
Tomas Nido is not going to replace James McCann after all
The contrast between backup catcher Tomas Nido and starter James McCann earlier this year was nuts. Nido was hitting well while McCann began the 2021 campaign as a bust. Things turned as soon as McCann began to play some first base. Now, the two are much closer in numbers with McCann slightly outperforming Nido.
Fans were quick to demand a change on a more permanent basis behind the plate. The more Nido has played of late, the more we have seen his weaknesses with the bat. While he does occasionally come up with a clutch hit, he’s not really ready to take over the starter gig.
However, something I do agree with is giving him a little more playing time. Paired with McCann, a guy who has traditionally not played a whole lot as a catcher and may need a little more rest, I do think the Mets can get a good performance from this duo.
We have seen flashy moments from Nido in the past. A solid defender and respected game-caller, it does make sense to give him more playing time than your average backup at the position.
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Moving him ahead of McCann on the depth chart remains a reactionary maneuver we shouldn’t get behind. More capable than some believed yet not quite starter material, take pride in knowing the Mets may have a nice tandem.