Mets Opening Day roster prediction 2.0: The one without Jose Quintana

Injuries are beginning to happen for the New York Mets. It throws a cold, wet towel on the planned Opening Day roster. Meanwhile, others are separating themselves as clear favorites for the Opening Day roster over some others.

We’re now closing in a little tighter on Opening Day. Let’s make another prediction as to who the Mets carry with them. This is the one without Jose Quintana.

NY Mets Opening Day roster starting pitchers prediction

1) Justin Verlander

2) Max Scherzer

3) Kodai Senga

4) Carlos Carrasco

5) David Peterson

I think Quintana’s injury will land him on the IL to begin the year. There hasn’t been much of a conclusion as to how long he’ll miss. David Peterson seems like the most obvious replacement. He might not even be the fifth starter to begin the year. Mixing in the lefty a little earlier could be a better choice for Buck Showalter.

NY Mets Opening Day roster position player prediction

6) Omar Narvaez

7) Tomas Nido

8) Pete Alonso

9) Daniel Vogelbach

10) Jeff McNeil

11) Francisco Lindor

12) Eduardo Escobar

13) Mark Canha

14) Brandon Nimmo

15) Starling Marte

16) Luis Guillorme

17) Brett Baty

18) Tommy Pham

Other than an injury, the Mets don’t have much flexibility with their position players. The Darin Ruf roster spot is the lone one to clear out. He has been dealing with a wrist injury this spring. His poor performance factored in along with how hot Brett Baty has been should force the Mets to make the right decision. Baty has earned an Opening Day roster spot over Ruf. He’s going to contribute at some point this year. Why wait?

NY Mets Opening Day bullpen prediction

19) Edwin Diaz

20) David Robertson

21) Adam Ottavino

22) Brooks Raley

23) Drew Smith

24) John Curtiss

25) Stephen Nogosek

26) Joey Lucchesi

The most up-in-the-air spot for the Opening Day roster remains the bullpen. Names 19-23 are locks with the health of Brooks Raley potentially factoring into a change. I think some questions about his health will result in the Mets carrying Lucchesi as a long-man second lefty reliever. He’s getting the nod over Elieser Hernandez in my opinion. The team will also have John Curtiss, who has been brilliant this spring, along with Stephen Nogosek, another guy pitching well this spring. The pair seem to have separated themselves from the competition. Only an injury or a sudden loss of ability can change this direction the team should be headed.