3 Mets DFA candidates who might not pass through waivers, 2 who most likely would

Roster cuts are bound to happen for the New York Mets before Opening Day. They have more than 26 guys on their 40-man roster without options which will result in some casualties.

Those tough looming decisions will be based on health and performance as well as how likely some players are to pass through waivers or not. Some of the same reasons why the Mets might DFA a player apply to other teams. Using this plus the structure of the rest of the team will help determine who they do or do not carry on the roster to open the year.

These five DFA candidates are split into two groups. One includes players who look more likely to pass through waivers than the others. 

Phil Bickford might not pass through waivers

There remains a chance Phil Bickford is designated for assignment before Opening Day. They took him to arbitration over $80K which seems preposterous for someone in his position. In either case, he has made it this far and his future remains uncertain. A DFA followed by a trade for cash considerations is a likely outcome because some other team will probably think highly enough of Bickford to have him in the back of their bullpen.

Bickford has only the 2021 season on his resume glowing with positivity. In particular, it was his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and not the 2 earned runs he gave up in one frame with the Milwaukee Brewers. Bickford tossed 50.1 innings for the Dodgers and turned in a 2.50 ERA that year. He jumped back up to 4.72 in 2022 and his total combined with the Mets in 2023 came out to 4.95.

We saw two different versions of Bickford in his two months with the Mets in 2023. In August, he was 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA. In September/October, Bickford went 2-1 with a 0.84 ERA.

At 28-years-old, some team may think they can get him on the right path. A more patient ball club, or at least a more desperate one, might be a better fit.