There should no longer be any doubt who gets the last NY Mets bench spot

Put a big X through Nick Madrigal’s name. Even if his MRI comes back without much damage, a dislocated shoulder is enough to delay his progress and prevent him from making the New York Mets Opening Day roster. A logical choice merely because it would allow Luisangel Acuna and Brett Baty more time to play every day in the minor leagues, a delay in Madrigal heating up for the season will only push forward the idea of one of the younger Mets players taking the job.

While it’s not necessarily just a two horse race between Acuna and Baty now, with Jared Young breathing in the dust a few miles back, it does feel more than ever that the winner of the job will be the most obvious choice all along.

For the final spot on the bench, the Mets need as much versatility as they can get. Baty is experimenting at other positions with second base and then shortstop on his priority list. However, with the Mets delaying opportunities at shortstop as more of a late spring plan, the clear frontrunner has become Acuna whom many believed should have been the clear cut favorite all along.

More than before, the last Mets bench spot is Luisangel Acuna’s to lose

If there is one thing Baty had going for him it’s hitting from the left side. On any given night where the Mets are facing a right-handed hitter and Jesse Winker is in the starting lineup, they won’t have a lefty available off the bench. It’s minor. After all, how many right-handed hitters would even be lifted in favor of Baty?

Baty isn’t a particularly good match for a part-time role anyway. A “toolsy” player with speed, power, or a tremendous glove makes the most sense. Being able to take third base from Mark Vientos as a defensive upgrade is another reason why the Mets might consider Baty over Acuna as the latter is someone more experienced up the middle, including center field.

Meanwhile, Acuna is the type of toolsy player who could translate well on the bench. It’s actually quite ideal, too. Use him as much as possible as a pinch runner. Give him chances to start at second base over Jeff McNeil when the team goes head-to-head against a left-handed starting pitcher.

An audit of the Mets roster reveals multiple infractions. They have too many outfielders and not enough infielders. They’re going to have to make a sacrifice defensively off the bench in some regard because they don’t have anyone ready with enough experience. The arrival of Ronny Mauricio may very well solve this as he has at least some level of proof he can play at second base, shortstop, and third base. Until he’s ready, it should be Acuna. Unfortunately for Madrigal, his injury came at the wrong time.