3 players who could wear many hats in their 2023 role with the team

2) NY Mets pitcher Joey Lucchesi could pitch in every situation possible

The Churve is back. Joey Lucchesi is another guy coming off of major surgery ready to play in whatever role the Mets need him. Probably best-equipped to handle a bullpen role, we could see the Mets use him in a variety of situations.

Lucchesi could be a starting pitcher option for them at some point, if only in more of an “opener” situation. Asking him for three frames is feasible when no one else may be available.

Maybe more important is the hat Lucchesi will wear when he spends a majority of his time with the big league Mets as a reliever. The team could have him on the roster strictly as a left-handed option. Alternatively, he could be a long-man. The Mets have options with him. Lucchesi has options himself, meaning, he should be one of several pitchers the team sends back and forth from the majors to the minors to find a fresh arm.

Starter, lefty reliever, and long-man out of the bullpen. These are the three brands of hat Lucchesi will be wearing in 2023.

None should take priority at any point for the Mets. He’ll need to be flexible and so will they. This year is one where everyone needs to accept it’s not about you. That means taking on lesser roles. Lucchesi already seems ready to embrace whatever gig the Mets hand him.

3) NY Mets prospect Brett Baty is a top option to start at a couple of positions

It will be interesting to see exactly where Brett Baty fits into the 2023 plans for the Mets. It doesn’t seem like he’ll start for them right away. However, regular appearances in Buck Showalter’s starting lineup isn’t out of the question. Because he has worked as a left fielder in addition to being a third baseman, seeing action at both spots and the DH is a strong possibility.

Baty’s first mission is to make the Opening Day roster. A far more versatile player than Darin Ruf, Baty could be someone we see split time at third base with Eduardo Escobar and left field with Mark Canha. It wouldn’t be a strict platoon in any form. If either struggles, we could expect Baty to start seeing his name on the lineup card more regularly.

Baty’s hats are much different from the ones Mendick will wear. Mendick is a bench player the team could carry even with no plans of starting him any more than they would someone like Luis Guillorme. Baty, on the other hand, doesn’t belong on the MLB roster unless he’s going to be an option to play every game. This doesn’t necessarily mean starting. He should keep warm for pinch-hitting opportunities late.

The Mets will eventually decide exactly where Baty fits into their plans, whether it is at third base or in left field. For this season, he won’t settle with just one kind of hat. We’re just eager to see him wear a mortar board at some point, signaling his official graduation from prospect to MLB regular.