3 players who deserve an Opening Day roster spot more than Darin Ruf

Sep 23, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Mark Vientos (27) before the
Sep 23, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Mark Vientos (27) before the / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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Darin Ruf. Darin Ruf. Darin Ruf. Legend has it, if you say his name three times into the mirror, he’ll go 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and ground into a bases loaded double play. The one player New York Mets fans are united in wanting to see replaced on the roster, three players stand out as better fits for the team.

Ruf has made it this close to Opening Day and it wouldn’t shock anyone to see the Mets actually allow him to get some regular season at-bats. It won’t change the fact that these three players are more deserving of an Opening Day roster spot.

1) NY Mets prospect Mark Vientos is more deserving of a roster spot than Darin Ruf

What can Ruf do that Mark Vientos cannot? Let’s start with the offense. Ruf didn’t clobber a single home run for the Mets last year in any of his 74 plate appearances. In 41 chances, Vientos did.

Vientos’ debut wasn’t magical. Slashing .167/.268/.278 for the team, it still bested the .152/.216/.197 performance they got from the veteran.

Vientos is caught between the majors and minors at the moment. He can clearly handle himself at the Triple-A level. In minimal opportunities last season, he didn’t accomplish enough to become a guarantee for the Opening Day roster. He’ll probably strike out more than Ruf would. If we need a tie-breaker, Vientos’ ability to play third base might put him a notch ahead.

Look, I’m sick of ripping on Ruf. He’s already on his way out because of players like Vientos getting closer to the big leagues. I’d much rather give Vientos a chance to DH against lefties to begin the year and pivot to Tommy Pham for this gig if things don’t work out.

Here's a campaign slogan for Mets fans: Enough of Ruf.

2) NY Mets prospect Brett Baty is more deserving of a roster spot than Darin Ruf

Brett Baty is the other prospect who should be ahead of Ruf on the depth chart. He can play the same positions as Vientos. His third base skills are better which makes him a more conceivable long-term option at the position.

Between Baty and Vientos, I can see the case to carry Vientos over Baty on the Opening Day roster. Give the left-handed hitting Baty a few more Triple-A at-bats (he didn’t get many last year) and allow him to grow as a defender. Baty is someone the Mets can safely turn to later on this season whether it’s to replace Ruf or give them consistent starts at third base or in left field. He could even be an alternative choice to start at the DH spot if Daniel Vogelbach doesn’t carry his weight.

Baty wasn’t particularly fantastic in his 42 trips to the plate for the Mets last year. He hit .184/.244/.342 with a pair of home runs. Rush to the major leagues out of necessity because the team lost Eduardo Escobar to the IL, he’d be less of a direct Ruf replacement than Vientos and more of a platoon partner. Starting him regularly at third base and in left field could work out well. The cautious Mets would probably not prefer to do this. It doesn’t change the fact that he’s a better fit and more deserving of a roster spot than Ruf.

3) NY Mets utility man Danny Mendick is more deserving of a roster spot than Darin Ruf

A non-prospect who could replace Ruf is Danny Mendick. Appearing to be healthy and ready to start the year playing baseball, Mendick is a utility man who plays mostly on the infield. He’s a far different player than Ruf but fits in more as a bench piece for the team.

Eliminate Ruf from the equation and the right-handed DH for the club becomes Pham or Starling Marte or anyone else you’d like to give a day off defensively. It’s silly to have a bench with such little versatility beyond Luis Guillorme. When Vogelbach starts, the team would carry Pham and Ruf alongside Guillorme and Tomas Nido. This isn’t a particularly quick-footed group either. Mendick isn’t a speedster but can at least provide them with some more athleticism.

Thanks to the continued presence of Jeff McNeil, the Mets don’t really need to carry a fifth outfielder. It’s him. Mendick and Guillorme can share infield duties. Any of the outfield options for the team from Ruf to Vientos to Baty aren’t excellent fielders anyway.

What Mendick won’t offer is a ton of power. Vientos and Baty, on the other hand, can become offensive forces for the Mets in a regular or irregular role.

Mendick is an ideal bench piece. He fits in better than a slugger like Ruf who doesn’t really slug anymore.

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