3 takeaways from Anthony DiComo’s NY Mets Opening Day roster prediction

Anthony DiComo made his New York Mets Opening Day roster prediction. He didn’t go bold. He didn’t predict anything whacky to finish off the year. His first stab at picking the 26 to head back to Flushing in late March to face the Pittsburgh Pirates lacks is kind of just what’ll happen without any unforeseen changes.

Injuries are impossible to predict and with only an expectation of the Mets holding back A.J. Minter, it’s hard to know how the Mets will replace anyone who does get hurt. DiComo does anticipate an IL stint for Minter to begin the year.

As plain of a prediction as it was, there are a couple of things we can take away from what he forecasts.

Three observations from Anthony DiComo’s Mets Opening Day roster prediction

1) Exactly how does Brett Baty contribute?

DiComo has Brett Baty listed as an outfielder, but also has Carson Benge on the team. Baty is kind of less necessary in the outfield if Benge is on the roster. They won’t form a platoon. Benge should play often enough to the point where Tyrone Taylor is the more suitable replacement at the position for defensive purposes.

No specific player is listed at more than one position so maybe this is just to include Baty alongside others. In this case, it’s the outfield group. Playing time will be difficult to find for everyone if Benge is on the roster with Baty DH’ing and maybe playing some first base and Mark Vientos seemingly ready to sit regularly against right-handed pitchers. Benge’s inclusion on the Opening Day roster again suggests the Mets will give him an opportunity to earn the spot out of camp.

2) The Mets need to do better than Vidal Brujan

Vidal Brujan will make the Mets roster as their super utility man. Isn’t this the intended use for Baty? Far different players, Brujan’s presence bumps Ronny Mauricio back to the minor leagues. Brujan is out of options and feels more like a temporary placeholder on the roster than someone the Mets actually view as a 162-game option.

I’d fully expect the Mets to continue exploring upgrades in this role whether it’s someone with a better defensive background, more elite sprint speed, or valuable bat. It’s the speed that should be the biggest thing they look for. They have the defense on the bench already in the outfield with Taylor and Baty is a good enough defender at the only place he’d ever substitute, third base. Someone who can steal a bag in the bottom of the 8th is who should get this roster spot. Brujan has 16 stolen bases in 30 tries in his 261 MLB games.

3) All of those intriguing bullpen options will need to wait

The bullpen is where every team has the biggest competition in spring training. According to this prediction, Craig Kimbrel is the only one who slips through the cracks. Tobias Myers and Huascar Brazoban have minor league options but are undoubtedly the best-equipped on the 40-man roster to take a roster spot over some of the other choices the Mets have in camp.

Kimbrel doesn’t have a clean road to make the Opening Day roster. He should have to prove himself in camp. However, many of the pitchers he’s going up against have an injury history or have never really proven themselves. He seems like the safer bet in comparison. What’ll be interesting is what the Mets do upon Minter’s return from the IL. DiComo isn’t predicting a second lefty in the bullpen to begin the year so it’ll be a demotion for Brazoban, Myers, or DFA of Kimbrel to clear a roster spot.