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

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.