An early NY Mets roster decision with a future consequence

Look at enough New York Mets Opening Day roster predictions and you’re going to come away with a lot of the same takes. There isn’t a whole lot of competition this spring with maybe 2 or 3 non-injury related decisions on the table. Carson Benge making the team or not will have a huge impact. At least one spot in the bullpen should be open.

Most Opening Day roster predictions have Huascar Brazoban and Tobias Myers on it. However, with the Mets lengthening Myers out this spring, he sounds a little more like a starting pitcher option they’d like to deploy in case of injury. Brazoban was also viewed as a longman candidate late last year. The two don’t necessarily need to co-exist, and unless the Mets go with a six-man rotation, they’d have yet another multi-inning option in the bullpen if someone from the rotation moves downward.

Brazoban and Myers both have options. Choosing to use it on one of them has some longer effect. Neither carries quite the same value without the ability to move them up and down from the minor leagues.

An early bullpen decision between Huascar Brazoban and Tobias Myers has a longer consequence

It seems inevitable that Brazoban and Myers will spend some time in the minor leagues this year. They’re the two most commonly projected relievers to make the ball club who have the options available. The Mets will find themselves in need of a fresh arm here and there. One will become a casualty, likely after a multi-inning performance.

Both are down to their final minor league option. They’d need to spend 20 days in the minors to lose it. Those days don’t have to be consecutive. The minimum for any minor league stint is 10 days with the exception being a recall to replace an injured player. A player with minor league options can be reassigned up to 5 times before having to pass through waivers. It seems unrealistic for the Mets to send Brazoban or Myers back and forth that many times.

Brazoban’s crowning value comes from the upside he can deliver at times as well as the ability to use him as an optional choice. Despite his age, 36, he remains useful in this regard. A late start to his MLB career explains this.

Myers is very different. He goes into year three of his MLB career with one option available. A journeyman who found himself making his big league debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024 with a successful rookie campaign, he fits a more common narrative.

The problem with both is finding an exact role for them in 2027 if there is no minor league option left. Does Brazoban have a spot in the bullpen? Would Myers, if he pitches well as a starter, be able to slink into the rotation or just settle for a longman role?

In the words of David Stearns, it’s a bridge to cross when they get there. However, it’s also one to think about early on this year. The best way to handle it is probably to take turns demoting the pair. Use up the 19 days on either if you must. Only when you require a demotion for one late in the year should you make a decision on who gets day 20.

It probably should be Brazoban. An added year of control for Myers through 2030 and being about a decade younger at 27, there’s a lot more to like about what he’ll bring you long-term. Brazoban doesn’t automatically become a non-tendered player or trade candidate if the Mets end up burning the final minor league option. It just makes it a little harder to justify guaranteeing him a roster spot without it.