All-time NY Mets roster based only on WAR

Mets bench players and bullpen based on WAR

If you recall, the rule with the bench is to try to build something practical based on whoever the DH is i.e. if it’s an infielder choose an outfielder. Fortunately, the problem is solved somewhat with one of the best versatile players in franchise history. Anyway, here’s how the bench looks.

C – John Stearns 19.6
SS – Francisco Lindor 21.5
INF/OF – Jeff McNeil 20.8
OF – Mookie Wilson 20.8

Just on the outside looking in, we find Pete Alonso (19.8), Bud Harrelson (18.6), and Cleon Jones (18.1). The bench actually makes some sense if you can picture Jose Reyes maybe playing some third base and Jeff McNeil primarily being a backup outfielder. A lot of these all-time great Mets have more than one position available in their back pocket. From the starting lineup itself, Edgardo Alfonzo adds flexibility on the infield. I’d be pretty satisfied with this starting rotation and the offense. The bullpen is where we need to dive a little deeper. These are the 8 with the highest WAR totals in their Mets career.

RP1 - Tug McGraw 12.8
RP2 - Jesse Orosco 12.3
RP3 - John Franco 11.2
RP4 - Armando Benitez 9.8
RP5 - Seth Lugo 8.4
RP6 - Skip Lockwood 7.7
RP7 - Ray Sadecki 7.4
RP8 - Jeurys Familia 6.8

These 8 haven’t changed with Edwin Diaz at 5.5 being the closest to making his way there. It should be noted that Seth Lugo built up a portion of his WAR as a starter. Others had a few starts as well. Who has the time to differentiate between the WAR accumulated between one role and the other?

Now that we have our roster, let’s finish off by putting it all together in a starting lineup.