NY Mets Opening Day roster: 3 candidates to replace Mark Vientos

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There was never much thought about Mark Vientos failing to make the New York Mets Opening Day roster. Moreover, the debate was whether or not it was the correct decision. A rough spring with some home runs but also a lot of strikeouts now has fans wondering what the alternatives are.

Facing another debate with the future of DJ Stewart as well, some of these same players could be potential roster replacements for the left-handed hitting outfielder, too. One of the two, Vientos or Stewart, should secure a roster spot. The other, unfortunately, looks destined to get sent to Triple-A.

Sticking strictly with Vientos, the Mets are limited with these choices as the most reasonable ones.

1) Ji-Man Choi

A lot has been said about the spring Ji-Man Choi has had. While the numbers have faded after an early performance that more justified carrying him on the Opening Day roster, the thought remains that if the Mets don’t add him he could opt out of his deal and leave.

Picturing Choi last the full season on the Mets roster is difficult given the positional limitations. As a left-handed hitting first baseman, there really isn’t much of a need for him whatsoever outside of at-bats as the team’s DH. He could share a roster with Stewart because of the latter’s ability to play the corner outfield and first base. Vientos, while labeled a third baseman, isn’t one.

Choi over Vientos does make the Mets a little extra left-handed down the depth chart. The bench could include him or Stewart plus Joey Wendle and backup catcher Omar Narvaez all swinging from that side of the plate. How much does this type of balance matter?

Due to this, Choi remains a best fit to replace Stewart. What about a fellow right-handed hitting infielder?

2) Zack Short

The Mets have plenty of infielders in camp this spring, but the one whom they could look at to potentially take a roster spot over Vientos is Zack Short. His age, positional versatility, and solid spring numbers to go along with a presence on the 40-man roster could place him even ahead of Jose Iglesias who has had a much better preseason. Could the Mets do something ridiculous and choose a guy who hit .195 in the minors last year and .204 in the majors to replace the player they’ve been pitching as the DH all winter long?

Short remaining with the Mets this long is a bit suspicious. He seemed to be Joey Wendle insurance in case the veteran infielder went down with an injury. Carrying both on the Opening Day roster is inconceivable unless the Mets throw the “he needs to work on his defense” defense at us with Vientos.

We can even throw Rylan Bannon into this mix although taking a look at his defensive numbers at third base, we’d never want him there. He’s a bit more intriguing of an option than short. However, as a minor league free agent signing, The Mets might first want to see what Short can do.

As well as the Mets did adding infield depth this winter, no one has a particularly high ceiling. Iglesias is what he is. Yolmer Sanchez, too. Bannon should only get promoted if the Mets specifically need a second baseman. As for Short, he’s an unappealing alternative. The team would be better off letting Vientos struggle for a month at the big leagues than choosing any of the other infield choices.

3) J.D. Martinez

Ah, yes. The roster replacement most people will accept comes from outside of the organization. Mets fans' fingers are turning blue with how long and tight they’ve been crossed hoping to see a tweet about the team coming to an agreement with free agent J.D. Martinez.

If the Mets are going to replace Vientos on the roster, the only person who really makes much sense at all is an outsider. Here’s looking at you, J.D.

The Mets already balked at the idea of signing the other J.D., Mr. J.D. Davis. Viewed by some as a better fit because he can play the field, it was never happening. That bridge was burned with the organization. Worst of all, the same situation he was unhappy with prior would’ve happened again.

Rumors of the Mets liking Martinez and vice versa continue on. David Stearns publicly postures saying the Mets will have Brett Baty at third base and Mark Vientos at the DH spot. Stearns has, if nothing else, been honest with the fans even if he has kept secrets from us.

Pulling the plug on Vientos this early has consequences. Down to his final minor league option, the Mets must find out this year if he is a part of the future or not. Likely no regardless of the outcome of the year. His presence on the major league roster this year is probably far more about increasing a deadening trade value.

Opening Day is creeping up. Vientos is striking out, not hitting for average, and occasionally hitting a missile. This is who he is. Accept it or pay Martinez to replace him.

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