NY Mets Roster: 3 depth piece additions that backfired in 2021

Apr 22, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi (47) talks with catcher James McCann (33) during the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi (47) talks with catcher James McCann (33) during the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 17, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Mets center fielder Albert Almora Jr. (4) celebrates scoring the game tying run in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Albert Almora brought nothing to the Mets

The Albert Almora signing was viewed by some as a nice pickup for the Mets. Coming off a bad year with the Chicago Cubs in 2020 which ended with him being non-tendered, the Mets swooped in and added the slick-fielding center fielder for the purpose of some nice depth beyond the infield dirt.

Almora’s career with the Cubs started off promising. With some shades of early Juan Lagares, it looked like he had the potential to be a quality center fielder for many more years.

The Mets, hopeful his downfall was untrue, took a chance. The result was a .115/.148/.173 slash line in 54 trips to the plate. The poor performance at the plate wasn’t nearly enough to keep his glove on the major league roster for too long. Almora would see much more action in Triple-A where he did hit well before getting designated for assignment in late September.

It’s tough to call Almora a bust or a disappointment. Expectations were never too high for him. He was a low-risk, high-reward type of signing. We can’t really blame the Mets for looking at him as a suitable defensive replacement late in games.

That’s about all Almora could have possibly given the team. However, with the poor offense, the team needed much more from even their bench players.