Only one NY Mets player should possibly replace Francisco Lindor if he hits the IL

A New York Mets Opening Day where Francisco Lindor doesn’t play? His hamate bone injury doesn’t sound incredibly concerning, but there’s a real possibility he isn’t with the team when the regular season begins.

David Stearns named names when pressed as potential candidates to replace Lindor at shortstop. Bo Bichette was absent and the list was mostly offseason additions with fringe-MLB capabilities. If they aren't going to move Bichette to shortstop, then Ronny Mauricio should be the only player the Mets even consider.

A Francisco Lindor injury is exactly why the Mets can’t refuse Ronny Mauricio a roster spot

For clarity, Mauricio should earn his spot on the Mets Opening Day roster. The others should also have to lose their opportunity. Unless Mauricio is horrific or one of the others is red hot, it should be his gig to lose even if there isn’t a “Now Hiring” sign up at Citi Field just yet.

The reason you send Mauricio to the minor leagues in the first place is to give him regular playing time. He’d get it in the majors with the Mets as their starting shortstop. What other excuse would the Mets have to demote him?

Mauricio was kept around on the major league roster last year rather than demoted to Syracuse to save his third and final minor league option. Using it up so immediate when there are actual big league at-bats he could receive would feel wasteful. Upon Lindor’s return, a demotion may make sense. There’s also a chance someone else has gotten hurt in the meantime, paving the way for Mauricio to stick around.

A player like Vidal Brujan feels temporary anyway. He isn’t an everyday player at any position. There’s no upside to his bat like there will be for Mauricio.

If it’s a matter of defensive preference, some of the other choices can make sense. Christian Arroyo played mostly first base in the minors last year so he wouldn’t really fit. Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff have a combined 70 MLB plate appearances. All of them belong to Kessinger who has hit .131.

The Mets may be able to get through a week or two with a player like Brujan in the lineup if the focus is on defense. However, even he hasn’t played shortstop at a high level. Give the kid, Mauricio, his chance. Why waste your minor league option so early when you can give him at-bats he wouldn’t have otherwise received?

Whomever the Mets may end up with at the position in place of Lindor is a huge step down. This is a perennial MVP candidate against guys who would struggle to be All-Stars in a Four-A if it was ever created. Anything the Mets would end up doing is only temporary. Mauricio for a week and a half isn’t such a bad idea. Use the option after if you need to.