The only Mets roster move they need to make for the NLCS

All postseason, the New York Mets haven’t had any major tricky decisions to make with the roster. Tylor Megill was left off of the roster in the Wild Card round because his start in Game 161 of the regular season erased any possibility of him pitching against the Milwaukee Brewers. Therefore, Max Kranick got to join the Mets for an emergency situation.

The Mets swapped the two for the NLDS and also went onward with Kodai Senga instead of Huascar Brazoban. For the NLDS, there is one change to make.

If deemed healthy and ready, we should see Jeff McNeil back with the Mets. His exact role is debatable. It’s hard to see how after missing a month he can slide into the starting lineup ahead of Jose Iglesias who has slumped in the playoffs but still come up with huge hits. McNeil will need to replace someone for it to happen. It won’t be Luisangel Acuna. It’ll be a pitcher.

The only Mets roster move to expect for the NLCS is to swap an unused reliever for Jeff McNeil

The Mets have gotten this far without using Adam Ottavino or Danny Young. Ottavino has warmed up in the bullpen at least once. About equally as trusted by Carlos Mendoza, the need for either one just isn’t there. Ottavino is a guy who’d be asked to pitch 2 innings in a blowout situation. Young would probably receive a similar request.

Despite being the only lefty in the bullpen other than David Peterson, Young hasn’t been someone the Mets were willing to turn to at any point. The Philadelphia Phillies had a lineup stacked with lefties. However, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are a different breed. The latter hit unexpectedly better versus southpaws this year anyway.

If the Mets end up playing the Los Angeles Dodgers, the experience won’t be much different. Young could pitch against Shohei Ohtani with the star’s mother’s maiden name, debit card pin number, and access to his phone to break through any sort of two-step authentication and the advantage would go to Ohtani. Only in a two-out situation against Max Muncy would Young make much sense at all.

The three-batter minimum rule has essentially eliminated a player like Young from having much of a purpose. That’s not to give Ottavino much more credit. At least he has pitched in the postseason before. He has been a great pitcher for full seasons. Young only did it for a couple of months.

The Mets showed in the NLDS that they will use Tylor Megill in high-leverage spots and not just for long relief. This furthers the case of Ottavino sticking around. Plus, out of respect to the veteran who might be waltzing into retirement after the 2024 season concludes, the near-coin flip decision should have him staying put and the roster move being McNeil for Young.