Success of promoted NY Mets prospects like Nolan McLean can spark more than a fire

Is it better to be feared or loved? It’s a debated question credited to everyone from Niccolo Machiavelli of Florence, Italy to Michael Scott of Scranton, Pennsylvania. After his New York Mets debut, there is nothing but love for the spin doctor, Nolan McLean. 

Fans have been hollering for months for the big league team to call him up. Finally, with 44 days left in the regular season which feels all too intentional to keep McLean’s rookie status in place for next year, the Mets gave him the ball in their greatest time of need.

The hope is that his arrival can spark excitement, confidence, and a fire in his Mets teammates. But can it also do a little more of the opposite? In order to add McLean to the roster, Paul Blackburn was DFA’d. With Brandon Sproat lingering in the minor leagues ready for his opportunity next, McLean’s quick success and departure of a veteran should have others wondering if they could be the next one bumped into a lesser role or off the team entirely before the year is through.

Nolan McLean’s quick success can spark excitement in the Mets and a good dose of fear

A big difference between last year and this season was how quick David Stearns’ finger reached the trigger to release a player. Joey Wendle, Jorge Lopez, Yohan Ramirez, Adrian Houser, Jake Diekman, Omar Narvaez, Michael Tonkin…the list reads like a phone book. The Mets haven’t been as trigger-happy this year. While the turnover has been major in the bullpen, there haven’t been any earth-shattering roster cuts.

Frankie Montas is the clear candidate everyone would like to see given his walking papers. Unlikely because of the $17 million player option he has for next season, others should have some concern of maybe losing the same opportunities. Someone like Reed Garrett, the last player in the bullpen with minor league options, can lose his roster spot if he underperforms. Ryne Stanek is a DFA candidate if he struggles to be relevant in the bullpen. Someone like Ryan Helsley will get a longer leash because of his past success. However, if others pass him on the depth chart, he can see a multi-year deal quickly turn into an affordable pillow contract in 2026.

A sense of urgency is something this year’s Mets team has lacked, probably because they got off to such a strong start. Now with no choice but to win or become one of the biggest disappointments in franchise history, a fresh face igniting a winning streak should send signals to the proven players that it’s time to get their acts together.

Many reputations are on the line these next few weeks. Helsley doesn’t want to be known as the great Mets trade deadline failure. Others want to get a World Series ring by participating in October, not being one of a couple dozen to suit up for the team in the regular season only to never make it to the end.

McLean’s arrival is a positive one in every way possible even if it involves a little bit of fear alongside the love.