Why the Mets calling up Luisangel Acuna remains more likely than Brandon Sproat

David Stearns is a man of mystery, but he doesn’t hide from the microphone. He spoke to the media on Friday and was asked a couple of questions about the plans for the New York Mets in September. A two-player roster expansion will allow them the opportunity to call up an extra position player and pitcher. Two names regularly mentioned, Luisangel Acuna and Brandon Sproat, were tossed his way.

Stearns’ answer was careful. By now we can probably tell he isn’t going to reveal much. This answer to the question is very weatherman-like. The possibility is open for some rain. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t.

The two extra roster spots are often thought of as permanent which they hardly are. In fact, what fits the Mets best is to think about the opponent they’re up against. Three lefties in a row and having a left-handed bat like Brett Baty or DJ Stewart available isn’t so bad. Need an extra lefty out of the bullpen? Hey Matt Gage, what are you up to?

Luisangel Acuna is still far more likely to get called up by the Mets than Brandon Sproat

As fantastic as Sproat has been this year in the minors, he is only two appearances deep into his Triple-A career. A poor first outing and an abbreviated second one because of an ejection, summoning him to the majors to pitch in relief seems unnecessary. Sproat has spent this year pitching as a starter. For an emergency spot start, he could make some sense. This will probably depend on the health of Christian Scott in the final weeks of the season.

In relief, a different role and under brighter lights, the Mets are asking a kid in his first professional season to work differently than he has gotten used to doing. They’d likely also need to waste one of his minor league options already as he’d more than likely only spend a limited amount of time on the MLB roster. Sproat, as a reliever, would join the rotation of optional relievers. As a starter, the Mets could switch to a semi-six-man rotation. This makes sense but how necessary is it?

Then there’s Acuna whose lackluster offensive production has him looking much less like an elite prospect and more of a future bench player. A .267/.312/.373 slash line in 479 plate appearances, he has had an unmemorable first full season in Triple-A. However, in terms of being a September call-up, he has the speed element off the bench working for him on top of positional versatility. The Mets don’t really need an everyday bat on the roster at the moment. Why not use one of the spots on a guy who can pinch run?

Furthermore, Acuna is already on the 40-man roster. Optioned at the start of the season, he’ll go into next season with only one minor league option left. Time is running out to learn who he is. We might already know and it’s nothing great.

The Mets are nearing an important deadline to make these choices

Adding Sproat to the 40-man roster before the end of the end of the month is a requirement to make him available for the postseason—something the Mets should consider if they’re interested in calling him up at all. However, the team already has a large number of other prospects who’ll be Rule 5 Draft eligible at the end of the year they may choose to trade or protect. Dom Hamel and Mike Vasil have struggled in Triple-A, but shouldn’t be handed over freely. Those two plus Alex Ramirez and Acuna on the 40-man roster yet no MLB role will crowd things up very quickly. Stearns won’t have the luxury of adding a whole lot of veterans in the offseason.

The Mets aren’t “all in” this year. We saw it by their trade deadline behavior. Attempting to go as far as they can this year without hurting themselves in the near future is the plan. The only reason to hold back Acuna is that they have better players available who’ve already experienced some level of success in the majors. With Sproat, the caution is with his health. They’re going to want him as a rotation option next season. Is tinkering with him in relief worth it now?

Publicly, Stearns hasn’t admitted anything. Behind the scenes, he probably already has his answer.