3 players who deserve to be on the Mets roster more than Eduardo Escobar right now

The New York Mets are trending toward a breakup with Eduardo Escobar. He is playing a lot less. In what many already suspected would be his last year with the team ahead of a team option for 2024, it could be over before we get our first summer electric bill and call a family meeting to discuss proper air conditioner protocol.

The leash on Escobar’s time in New York is tightening. Now relegated to a start only occasionally whenever the Mets face a lefty pitcher, Brett Baty’s hot start has made him a pricy bench piece. Due to some poor roster construction around him, he’s not all that useful in this role. Escobar’s bat does most of his talking. It has been quiet for most of 2023. He's hitting .159/.206/.365 in a not nice first 69 plate appearances.

Taking a peek down in the minor leagues, these three players look like they’re more deserving of a roster spot than Escobar right now.

1) Mark Vientos deserves to be on the NY Mets roster more than Eduardo Escobar

Mark Vientos is raking in Triple-A. The Mets are an injury to a position player away from calling him up. It might not matter much who gets hurt. As long as they have a replacement in the starting lineup, the Mets should consider Vientos for a promotion the moment a roster spot clears up.

Vientos, somewhat conveniently, actually fits quite well as a future roster replacement for Escobar. A former third base prospect who is looking more like a first baseman or even a DH would essentially take on the same role Escobar has right now except he probably wouldn’t play third base at all. This would mean Baty gets every opportunity possible at the position with maybe Vientos only finding his way over there in an emergency situation.

If we remove Escobar from the roster, Vientos becomes a logical fit as the right-handed DH. The downside to this is it means he’s starting only occasionally over Daniel Vogelbach. The Mets could always squeeze Vientos into left field over Mark Canha every once in a while, too.

Why isn’t Vientos replacing Escobar right now? The man has no real position. Aside from the obvious disinterest from the front office to cut ties with Escobar prematurely, Vientos’ limited glove is why he’s hanging out in Syracuse.