1 NY Mets player who can become quickly forgotten if he has a bad spring training

Juan Soto can take an oh-fer in spring training and still start in right field for the New York Mets on Opening Day. If Devin Williams gets shelled, he’s probably not going to lose his role as the closer. Francisco Lindor is probably going to do very little statistically, but he’ll be right there for the Mets when the season begins. Guys like them have little to lose in spring training. It’s a warm-up.

Then there are guys who are fighting for a chance at a roster spot or at least some early consideration. Where do they fit in? It wouldn’t appear they have a whole lot to lose, but more so are positioned to gain attention with a strong spring training.

Finally, there are those who are kind of caught in between. They have something to lose. No one might have more at risk than Huascar Brazoban.

Huascar Brazoban can become forgotten on the Mets depth chart with a bad spring training

There’s no guarantee Brazoban makes the Mets roster. The addition of Tobias Myers takes away from him being a preferred longman option unless the Mets decide to take a different approach. It wouldn’t be wrong of them to keep Myers stretched out as a starter, especially if they end up with six starters on the Opening Day roster.

It was a weird 2025 season for Brazoban. It started spectacularly and took a turn in June. After two months of ERAs under 2.00, he had a 13.50 ERA in 9 games for the club in June just as everything was falling apart. He pitched better in August and September, but was used for only 13 games in the second half.

The Mets weren’t afraid to replace Brazoban in the middle of the season. They shouldn’t be so shy about burying him early if he doesn’t look right or get the results they want in spring training.

Brazoban was a top performer last year in spring training alongside Max Kranick. Paul Blackburn’s late spring training injury allowed Brazoban to make the team out of camp. The Mets were rewarded with one of the better relief pitcher performances they had all year.

If Brazoban fails to make the Mets roster, they’ll send him down to the minors where he can quickly get forgotten. He should remain in contention for regular innings as part of a rotation of relievers going back and forth from the minors. However, with the rise of some prospects and presence of veterans like Carl Edwards Jr., Daniel Duarte, and most notably Craig Kimbrel, there are well-experienced arms who could bypass him completely.

A unique late bloomer who didn’t debut until his age 32 season, there has been plenty of rope for Brazoban since joining the Mets at the 2024 trade deadline. It’s running out. He needs to shine early or face the reality of his days becoming numbered.