NY Mets: 3 players who stepped up in 2021 but are best suited in a part-time role

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.