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