3 NY Mets players Christian Scott could replace on the 40-man roster once called up

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Christian Scott is on his way to join the New York Mets with a major league debut slated for Saturday. The organization’s top pitching prospect isn’t a “mayday” call-up in response to an S.O.S. sent out by the starting pitching staff. This week, outside of Adrian Houser, we saw the starting staff respond positively. Jose Quintana and Luis Severino were remarkable in their latest starts. Sean Manaea looked better, too.

Scott’s promotion is more about extending the amount of rest each of these pitchers will have as the Mets are in the midst of 13 straight games without a day off. While maybe only a spot start, he can earn himself a more permanent roster spot with a spectacular performance.

First up is another roster decision for the Mets to make. Not only will they have to demote someone—a seemingly easy call—but they’ll also need to remove someone from the 40-man roster. Moving Francisco Alvarez or Brooks Raley to the 60-day IL is one option, but what about those other choices who should be candidates to get DFA’d by the time Scott officially suits up for the Mets? Placing Alvarez or Raley on the 60-day IL guarantees each miss two months which could be an extreme decision to make this early in the recovery process.

1) Danny Young

What have ya done for me lately? Danny Young picked up the win on Thursday pitching in the 11th inning for the Mets in his big league debut for the team. It wasn’t a stellar outing. It required an outfield assist from Starling Marte and heroics from Francisco Lindor in the bottom half of the inning. Young allowed the Chicago Cubs to score on the first pitch he threw, immediately putting him front of mind as someone the Mets could execute from the 40-man roster in favor of Scott.

Why not Young? The only thing he has going for him is the fact that he throws left-handed. In the absence of Brooks Raley, which will be a little longer than originally expected, it’s nice to have a second southpaw to Jake Diekman. Young and Josh Walker have been and could remain swapped for one another in the bullpen until he returns.

There’s nothing remarkable about Young and the Mets haven’t hesitated to DFA relievers this year. He might not deserve it, but for the benefit of having Scott in the big leagues, he’s not someone they need to hang onto.

2) Cole Sulser

Consider Cole Sulser the right-handed Danny Young. Another one of the many veteran relievers the Mets signed this offseason with minor league options available, he had an unimpressive stint with the ball club earlier. A 9.83 ERA in 3.2 innings and a very average performance in Syracuse could have the Mets cutting bait with him.

Working against Sulser is the fact that he throws right-handed. The Mets have plenty of other younger arms they would be more likely to favor keeping over him. Already 34, the Mets would be crazy to DFA a player like Grant Hartwig or Dedniel Nunez instead of Sulser.

With past transactions, the Mets had it easy. Michael Tonkin was out of options. So was Yohan Ramirez. On the MLB roster, the obvious out of options player who could be looking at a DFA is Sean Reid-Foley. However, since returning from the IL, the righty has been excellent. He’s not getting terminated anytime soon.

If the Mets were as quick to cut Tyler Jay as they were, they shouldn’t have any hesitations with Sulser. He’s a mercenary who could easily pass through waivers anyway. Alternatives will emerge from the waiver wire and from within the organization.

3) Shintaro Fujinami

Here’s the bold option: DFA Shintaro Fujinami. A major league free agent signing this offseason, Fujinami has been terrible in the minors. He’s giving up runs, walking batters at a horrific rate, and unlikely to get promoted to the big league roster anytime soon. Signed for $3.35 million, DFA’ing him isn’t so outrageous because of how untouched he’d go on the waiver wire. And even if he did get claimed, what are the Mets really losing?

Fujinami was hyped coming into this season. His talents, as great as they were, haven’t come to fruition in Major League Baseball or the minor leagues with Syracuse. The Mets can safely designate him for assignment, let him pass through waivers, and continue to work with him on the farm.

There is little reason for the Mets to carry Fujinami on their 40-man roster right now with the way he has pitched. A 15.88 ERA and 13 walks in 5.2 innings is unbelievable.

The Mets won’t be strangers to putting bigger contracts on the waiver wire. When Alvarez does return, they’ll need to make a choice between Tomas Nido and Omar Narvaez. Nido is making far less but has been just as effective. He passed through waivers successfully last year. Would he do it again this time around?

It’s a little different with Fujinami. Costing a bit more than Nido and having been passed over during the offseason, he’s a project not every ownership group would be willing to add to their payroll.

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3 Mets players Christian Scott could replace on the 40-man roster once called up

1) Danny Young

2) Cole Sulser

3) Shintaro Fujinami

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