NY Mets contract opt outs: Mike Tauchman is easy, Craig Kimbrel is more complex

Mike Tauchman did the New York Mets a favor by accepting a minor league contract with an opt out on March 25. He gave them virtually until Opening Day to decide.

It’s an easy call. Hitting .333/.431/.616 and capable of playing all three outfield positions (the corners well) plus owning an impressive eye, he’s the exact kind of bench piece they should carry with them even if there’s a bit of a debate as to how everyone will get playing time. Alongside Carson Benge, right field gets crowded. The Mets can manage by resting Luis Robert Jr. regularly as intended and giving Benge opportunities in center field. Tyrone Taylor becomes your legs off the bench. The need for a guy such as Vidal Brujan isn’t a big one as he’d be overtaken by Brett Baty for every infield position other than shortstop. Give those rare spot starts to Bo Bichette.

It’s complex yet doable to have the best team possible. It’s not so easy with the other notable veteran with a looming opt out. Craig Kimbrel has an opt out on March 21.

The Mets need to decide Craig Kimbrel’s fate by this Saturday

Kimbrel has done exactly what we didn’t want him to do. The results are there, a 2.25 ERA. The style hasn’t with 4 walks in as many innings and only 2 strikeouts. This doesn’t even include the game he pitched in WBC exhibition action.

Kimbrel has a contrasting 1.50 WHIP and .182 batting average against. You fear the former, love the latter and wonder what he actually can contribute to the Mets coming into the year.

The decision with Kimbrel comes down to whether or not the Mets desire a second lefty in the bullpen. Bryan Hudson and Richard Lovelady are what they are. Hudson is a rebound candidate pitching poorly this spring in a limited 2.1 inning sample size. We’ve seen Lovelady before to realize there are limitations. So ignore the numbers in the preseason with the Washington Nationals. He hasn’t learned new tricks.

The best-case scenario for the Mets is always for Kimbrel to choose to stay with the organization and work on things in Syracuse. He pitched almost entirely all of last year in the minor leagues. It’s not completely out of the question. However, you’d have to imagine he’d at least like to explore other opportunities.

If the Mets don’t feel the need to carry a second lefty, it is still only a matter of time before Kimbrel could get DFA’d. This final roster spot is the A.J. Minter replacement if only by name and not role.

There’ll only be one or two more appearances in actual games for the Mets to decide on Kimbrel. He hasn’t shown enough but neither have the other two. Waiving Hudson and Lovelady and attempting to pass each through waivers is on the table. It’s a detailed decision about roster structure, roles, and faith.