3 Mets players most likely to be gone from the roster by May 1

MLB rosters are like pens at the DMV. A lot of them don’t work out well and you’re constantly needing to change through them. The New York Mets haven’t been shy about making roster changes early on in 2024. By the time we get to May 1, we should see even more turnover.

Who will it be? These three are the most likely to become casualties in one way or another before we flip the calendar.

1) DJ Stewart

A roster placeholder to some and a transitional champ to WWE fans, DJ Stewart always seemed like a temporary option for the Mets roster once J.D. Martinez was signed. The greater benefit of having Stewart on the roster over someone like Mark Vientos was the defensive positions he could play. Vientos, as a corner infielder who doesn’t offer quite enough at third base, seemed a little too locked into the DH role than Stewart who can at least play both corner outfield positions.

Stewart was the final choice for the Opening Day roster. Will he be the first to get sent down when Martinez is back?

Stewart’s bat has only recently livened up. A regular in the starting lineup often when the Mets play a right-handed starter and a bat Carlos Mendoza can use off the bench late as a position hitter for someone like Harrison Bader, there are ways to justify keeping Stewart around.

Considering how much the Mets value defense, we can find as many if not more justifications to send him down to the minors. His remaining option could get put to good use by doing so. Fewer hearts are broken in the process, too. Moving on from this other position player would require the Mets to possibly send him away for good.

2) Zack Short

Zack Short was a nice story coming out of camp. He made the roster as a surprise and only a few hours after his grandmother passed away. The Mets haven’t used him a whole lot at all. He has come in as a pinch runner and for defense late. Otherwise, Short is quickly becoming the forgotten guy off the bench.

You can’t read too many articles on Rising Apple without being barraged with my personal takes about the redundant nature of having him and Joey Wendle on the same team. Much like Stewart who provides the team with a limited set of skills, Short can do the same but just not as exciting of a fashion.

There aren’t too many situations where Short would ever pinch hit for this ball club. The defensive growth of Brett Baty at third base even eliminates him from much consideration there. This leaves him without much of a purpose other than to give someone a day off. Even then, the far more proven Wendle would probably get the nod instead.

Short doesn’t have options so he’d have to pass through waivers in order to have a chance to stay with the Mets. If Martinez is ready before May 1, the decision looks like it will come down to one or the other. Do the Mets want the speed and defense of Short or the occasional big swing from Stewart?

Short has only 6 plate appearances in 7 games played. With Stewart suddenly hitting, the ball club could have a reason to go with the bat instead of the glove.