4 Mets hitters who will be on a short leash this season

2) NY Mets player on a short leash: Eduardo Escobar

Eduardo Escobar is on a short leash despite turning things around late last season. Unlike Ruf, we should expect him to stay on the roster all year while healthy. He’s a bigger payroll hit to release. He’s someone who could take another step down and remain an important part.

We already had our plans with Escobar when it looked like Carlos Correa was coming to Flushing. Escobar would move to the bench and become the right-handed platoon partner of Vogelbach and occasional starting third baseman and second baseman. It’s exactly what the future could hold for him with an addition.

Brett Baty is clearly the man gunning for Escobar’s job this year. A superior right-handed hitter than he is from the left side, a platoon of Baty and Escobar at third base later this season is a possibility. It would be the first step in Escobar’s short leash getting tugged on.

Something else to consider with Escobar could be whether or not he even becomes a midseason trade candidate. His name appeared in trade rumors prior to the Mets moving on from Correa. Although it’s not a necessity to trade Escobar, Baty could win the majority of playing time and an upgrade at another position could begin to create a roster crunch.

The Mets do have an option on Escobar’s contract for next season. Baty will look to play well enough to give the team an easy decision. Escobar’s short leash, in part because of Baty knocking on the door, may never become too big of a worry. One reason is there is another starter Baty could replace.