6 Mets players who could be off the roster by June 1

It’ll be June 1 before we know it. A date best remembered for Johan Santana throwing the first no-hitter in New York Mets history, it has also become the traditional start of a decline for the ball club. The Mets seem to have gotten their “swoon” out of the way early. This June, if they’re not competing, it’s less of a streak of losses and more of a reality of who they are.

They’ve been bold with roster changes throughout the season and we should expect more. By the time we get to June 1, expect any of these players to be off the team.

1) Josh Walker

Let’s begin with one of two obvious guys: Josh Walker. Only recalled to the majors for this weekend series, he fills one of two available bullpen roles at the moment. The current status of the Mets pitching staff has players floating between the majors and minors. With one guy in particular (more on him later), the team seems to want another look at him as a starter.

Walker has been much better this year, posting a 3.60 ERA in 5 innings of work. As a second left-handed option for the Mets at the moment, his roster spot still isn’t all that safe. It’ll be dependent on the team they’re facing and how fresh of an arm he has. His removal from the MLB roster by June 1 will have more to do with following the course of promoting and demoting relievers with options.

2) Grant Hartwig

Then there’s Grant Hartwig whose status with the Mets is exactly the same as Walker except he throws right-handed. His season hasn’t gone nearly as well in the majors. The 6.75 ERA in 6.2 innings isn’t the sophomore follow-up he had hoped for from a much better albeit below-average 4.84 ERA performance in 2023.

The ability to go multiple innings is where Hartwig holds most of his value. Unfortunately, the Mets have needed relievers to eat a few extra. Once they use Hartwig’s stamina all up is when a trip back to Syracuse is going to happen.

Those are the two obvious players who’ll be gone by June 1. What about some of the trickier decisions?

Prediction: Bet the family farm both of these relievers are sent down once before June 1.

3) DJ Stewart

The Mets continue to employ DJ Stewart and it’s understandable why. The left-handed slugger can draw a walk as good as just about anyone on the roster. Prone to occasionally rip into one and launch a home run as well, he provides them with some very good power depth off the bench and occasionally in the starting lineup.

Stewart has the misfortune of playing for a team that lacks roster flexibility and could really benefit from having a more versatile defender. As one of the few optional players they have, he might become a casualty.

The arrival of J.D. Martinez at the end of April cut down on Stewart’s playing time. The Mets have found ways to get him into games and even ask him to grab a glove very so often. The mixing and matching of him, Tyrone Taylor, and Harrison Bader is all a matter of preference for any given day. Taylor and Bader are about equal with the main difference being salary. Stewart, an arguably more dangerous hitter, would conceivably get the majority of at-bats as the lone lefty among them. However, Bader’s contract and Stewart’s own defensive shortcomings as well as the team’s preference for Brandon Nimmo in center field argue otherwise.

Stewart isn’t an ideal fit for the Mets roster even while playing well. The Mets have been unafraid to make bold moves with several early-season DFAs. Stewart, for the sake of trying something new, will be constantly playing for his roster spot.

Prediction: DJ Stewart doesn't go anywhere near Syracuse.

4) Brett Baty

Brett Baty didn’t fully earn his Opening Day roster spot. He was more of the only choice the Mets had at third base. A strong start albeit with some lightly hit balls that found their way onto grass or through dirt plus some stellar defense had many of us thinking he had become the real deal.

Balls started finding leather more often. Many popping into the catcher’s mitt. Baty’s defense has still looked solid, but the absence of any sort of regular offensive production had the Mets recently calling upon Mark Vientos for some help.

The Mets have shown they’ll mix the two young third basemen into games with Baty the starter against right-handed pitchers and Vientos in there versus lefties. Mid-game, they’ll be willing to swap one out for the other. This isn’t a sustainable situation. By the time we get to June 1, the Mets are likely to have made a decision.

Baty hasn’t shown much of anything to justify sticking around. A weak hitter literally in terms of how hard he’s hitting the ball, there are some obvious things for him to work on. The problem is that sending him down to the minors last summer didn’t work. It’s not exactly the cure-all the Mets need. Spoiling his confidence shouldn’t be of any concern. Baty showed a ton of swagger early on this season. He should have an understanding by now that his job is far from safe.

Prediction: Brett Baty's defense saves him from a demotion, for now. His weak bat lands him there sometime in June.

5) Mark Vientos

If Brett Baty makes this list, so does Mark Vientos, The two don’t necessarily need to share a roster spot together. Vientos’ recent promotion should have him in a bit of a lead over Baty. The only advantage Baty has is the extra trust in playing defense and the fact that most pitchers are born right-handed.

Vientos runs into a couple of the same problems as Stewart. More of a true DH than an actual position player, the absence of regular appearances as the DH will get in his way of staying with the club. It’s a big reason why he didn’t make the Opening Day roster. Foolishly, it’s why the Mets didn’t have much use for him last season either. Can you believe Daniel Vogelbach lasted the whole year with the team?

Vientos has taken advantage since being recalled. The defense hasn’t been impressive but a pair of multi-hit games has given the offense a much-needed boost. It’s just shameful they’re blowing games in other ways.

Fans can argue Vientos has earned a longer leash and should remain on the MLB roster over Baty. It’s complicated because there is a sacrifice in choosing Vientos over Baty. There is one with carrying both, too.

Coming into the year, there were some who preferred Baty and some who preferred Vientos. Everyone just wants one of these young players to be the unquestioned third baseman.

Prediction: In the absence of a slew of lefty starters, the Mets send Mark Vientos back to the minors. He rejoins the club sometime in June.