The next 3 NY Mets players who'll get cut from the roster

The New York Mets have already begun making some cuts to their 40-man roster. They recently put Sean Reid-Foley on waivers. The right-handed reliever has already been outrighted to Triple-A, but there’s still a lot of time between now and Opening Day. Sean Reid-Foley likely won’t be the last player we see the Mets DFA or place on waivers. They still could trim down the depth chart, and when that happens, these three could be next in line, as they currently sit in DFA limbo.

1) Jose Azocar

The Mets acquired Jose Azocar off waivers from the San Diego Padres in September. Azocar has not been much of a hitter in his Major League career. In 397 career plate appearances, Azocar has a .243/.287/.322 triple-slash. Although he’s only struck out in 21.9% of his plate appearances, he has walked at a 5.3% rate. Azocar has gone yard just twice with a .089 isolated slugging percentage as well. His numbers at Triple-A last season were not awe-inspiring either, with just an 87 wRC+ in 281 plate appearances.

On the plus side, Azocar is a great defensive outfielder, with +2 defensive runs saved, a +5.8 UZR/150, and +8 outs above average in 1011 innings between all three outfield positions. He is also a flash on the basepaths. Azocar has consistently been above the 90th percentile of sprint speed, ranking in the 91st percentile last year, ranking above speedsters like former Mets prospect Andres Gimenez, former division rival/now crosstown rival Jazz Chisholm, and current division rival outfielder James Wood.

Azocar has done well in spring training. He has six hits, including a home run. But he has yet to draw a walk and has struck out four times in 19 plate appearances. Although he’s done well in spring training and brings some quality outfield defense to the Mets’ depth chart, the chances he makes their Opening Day roster are slim.

As things stand right now, the Mets’ outfield is already set, with Juan Soto in right field, Jose Siri in center, and Brandon Nimmo in left with Tyrone Taylor serving as a platoon/4th outfield option. While Jesse Winker and Starling Marte will likely see most of their playing time at designated hitter in 2025, they could still see some games in the grass from time to time. Even Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio could see innings in the outfield. Azocar also has no options left, so the Mets will have to put him on waivers at the end of spring training.