3 positive Mets Spring Training overreactions

2) Positive NY Mets overreaction: Tim Locastro belongs on the Opening Day roster

This is the most outrageous overreaction in my opinion. Tim Locastro hasn’t been a particularly effective MLB player. A few great spring at-bats shouldn’t change our expectations for what he can do and the purpose he will serve for the team in 2023. Locastro is a weapon whose speed and defense will be key in the latter part of the year. Putting him on the Opening Day roster has too many negative consequences. Mainly, the Mets may end up in a bind rather quickly when he doesn’t hit and they need some offense.

What isn’t outrageous is believing Locastro could do more than he has in the past. He’s not nearing retirement. Maybe he just bloomed a little late. He has hit well in the minors before. Some more consistency from him when he is on the Mets roster is less of an overreaction and more of an optimistic take on this veteran outfielder.

Spring Training statistics are often deceiving for a variety of reasons. The competition level. The sample size. The fact that the games don’t count and pitchers will toy with things. It’s perfectly acceptable to be impressed by what Locastro has done.

Let’s meet somewhere in the middle. Locastro will be a dangerous weapon for the Mets in the final weeks of the season and into the playoffs. He’ll also be more than an automatic out.