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

Max Kranick might not pass through waivers

Max Kranick has suddenly become a lot more valuable for the Mets with Kodai Senga out. His ability to win an Opening Day roster spot is now realistic although he should fall in line as the least likely of the starters competing for a role. There’s a possibility the Mets always carry him in the bullpen as a long man with the ability to turn to him for the occasional spot start. How he does this spring will go a long way toward determining if he’s DFA’d or stays.

Kranick is another guy like Short whose minor league options have been used up, therefore, he’s either going to open the season with the Mets or must pass through waivers to remain. The story of him growing up as a Mets fan brings up the personal aspect of any future decisions he may make. If he did pass through waivers, one would have to believe he’d be happy to stay for a future shot with the team he grew up rooting for.

Other teams could use Kranick similarly as a long man and spot starter. He probably isn’t going to have too many opportunities to outright win a starting rotation gig in too many places. Outside of injury, he’ll spend most of the 2024 season proving himself.

The 2022 Tommy John Surgery graduate is only 26 and a project plenty of teams might not mind working with. The length he could potentially give, even in mop-up duty routinely this year, makes him a guy the Mets will be cautious about DFA’ing if they truly are interested in keeping him over some of the others on this list. His solid debut on Monday is the first step toward making the team.