3 September roster moves to ensure the Mets win the National League East
September is a huge month for the New York Mets. It’s a 30-day period where they can make sure the late-season series against the Atlanta Braves down in Georgia means nothing. This would require them to continue to win while also hoping the Braves figure out a way to lose.
Failing to win the National League East has its consequences. They don’t get the first-round bye and would instead have to host the San Diego Padres or Philadelphia Phillies in the first round. Both beatable teams, it’s much better to have the bye plus home field advantage until the NLCS.
These three roster moves the Mets can make will help them achieve the goal.
1) NY Mets need to give Pete Alonso the best protection possible
With the starting lineup, we’re finally beginning to show some positive changes. Mark Canha and Jeff McNeil are now getting their chance to bat fifth. It’s all about protecting Pete Alonso.
Is it a coincidence that while Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf have struggled that so has the Polar Bear? I don’t think so. While responsibility does fall on Alonso, it doesn’t help to have a pair of struggling DHs behind him.
In the fifth spot, McNeil should bat whenever a righty is on the mound. When it’s a lefty, give those chances to Canha. It’s pretty simple.
Buck Showalter should remain flexible with the lineup, too. Whoever is hitting the hottest should slot in behind Alonso. Over the last several weeks, McNeil and Canha have been two of the better hitters on the team. Move them up and keep them there until their performance dictates otherwise.
2) NY Mets need to find a better solution than Darin Ruf at DH
Vogelbach has served the Mets decently enough at DH although many are beginning to question his regular presence in the lineup. Ruf, on the other hand, has struggled much more. The Mets need to find a solution to this. Knowing Vogelbach’s track record, they can’t simply start him there all of the time.
The logical thing to do would be to promote Mark Vientos to replace Ruf. There is a small problem with that. When Luis Guillorme comes back, the team will DFA Deven Marrero. Who would Vientos replace?
The Mets are poorly built when we look at minor league options. They can have a five-man bench of the backup catcher, whoever isn’t DH’ing, Tyler Naquin, Terrance Gore, and Guillorme. Gore is the role-player of role-players whose only purpose is to pinch run. Also out of minor league options, it looks like the Mets may have to make do with what they currently have. A faux injury could resolve this—or even a real one.
There is no obvious answer for the team other than to maybe start Guillorme regularly against lefties and allow some of the infielders to become the DH. Lately, the bats aren’t deep enough and the players don’t have enough minor league options.
At some point in September, the Mets need to find a solution. The playoffs are coming up quick.
3) NY Mets need to figure out if David Peterson is postseason reliever material
Timing is everything when it comes to David Peterson. Push him to the bullpen too soon and you might lose a good starting pitcher option in case of an injury. Wait too long and you might not know what he can do in a big moment as a reliever.
Peterson hasn’t looked too great in the small number of relief appearances he made in the past. Given enough time to figure it out, the results could differ.
At some point around mid-September, Peterson should be used as any other left-handed reliever would be. Joely Rodriguez hasn’t been good enough this season for the Mets to confidently go into the postseason with him as the only southpaw in the bullpen. With so few favorable options, the Mets need to get a clear picture of how Peterson can participate in the postseason.
The Mets should have a few other arms back soon including Tylor Megill and hopefully Drew Smith. Things will get crowded and we could even see someone like Tommy Hunter get designated for assignment simply to clear a space.
Just like the position players, the Mets don’t have much maneuverability with their pitching staff right now. Peterson could end up left in the dust simply because he does have those options. First, the team needs to figure out if he’d be a better option over some other guys.