Mets depth chart at each position for the 2022 season

The offseason is a time for MLB teams to build their depth. The New York Mets began this task prior to the lockout, pushing several starters to the bench.

Although plenty more can change between now and Opening Day, the Mets actually seem to have a pretty deep roster already when looking at their positional depth chart.

Using the ESPN positional depth chart, this is who we can expect to play each position for the Mets in 2022. There are no surprises here. Instead, I hope the takeaway is a positive feeling that even in the direst of situations, the Mets have places to turn at nearly every position.

Mets Catcher Depth Chart: James McCann, Tomas Nido, Patrick Mazeika

There’s nothing new behind the plate for the Mets barring some kind of major change on the way. James McCann will open the season behind the plate with Tomas Nido as his backup. Waiting for his chance to fill in as needed and maybe win a couple of games on some fielder’s choices is Patrick Mazeika.

The catching situation isn’t horrific as long as McCann begins to live up to his contract. Last year’s performance at the plate was poor and should have us slightly concerned about what lies ahead.

Nido has shown he is a capable backup, one able to even fill in for more than just a weekly start. However, as the starts begin to build up, his weaknesses do show.

For Mazeika, he’ll have to settle in at the Triple-A level until the Mets need him.

Until prospect Francisco Alvarez arrives to the big leagues, the Mets are going to hope to squeeze the most out of McCann that they…McCann?

These three combine for a serviceable trio with the most upside coming from the starter, McCann. Nido and Mazeika are what they are; career backups that we want focusing on their defensive game more than anything else. Any hits we get from them is extra.

Mets First Base Depth Chart: Pete Alonso, Dominic Smith, anyone else with a glove

I’m not saying playing first base in the major leagues is easy but I’m also not saying it’s difficult. Anyone with a glove can probably figure it out with enough practice. Rather than order players beyond the main two guys, let’s limit the third-string options to whoever the team has available.

Pete Alonso is first on the first base depth chart, a fact that only changes if the DH officially arrives into the National League. Even then, I think it’s Alonso that ends up with the most starts at the position. He isn’t a butcher at the position. The team has other bats they can utilize in the DH role without moving the Polar Bear to one side of the baseball exclusively.

Behind Alonso is the more defensively-sound Dominic Smith. We’ve seen Smith far more out in left field in recent seasons, but the preference has always been for him to play first.

I actually hate the idea of having two first basemen on a National League roster. With such limited space, you can’t get creative with your typical five man bench.

My disgust will dissipate slightly with the oncoming addition of the DH. It’s a lot more tolerable. Plus, as Smith has proven, he can at least look average at times out in left field. I give him a lot of credit. He worked hard at the position.

Mets Second Base Depth Chart: Jeff McNeil, Robinson Cano, Eduardo Escobar, Luis Guillorme

It’s still unclear exactly what the Mets will do at second base. At least according to the ESPN depth chart, it’s Jeff McNeil listed at number one with Robinson Cano behind him at number two.

Unless McNeil is traded, he seems to be in line to play second base. Other positions are occupied by newcomers to the roster. McNeil may always move to the bench and move around the diamond. For now, pencil him in at second base with a slight edge over Cano.

The other two options worth mentioning are Eduardo Escobar and Luis Guillorme. Escobar has quietly been a flexible player, best suited for the Mets as their third baseman next season. Mets fans have seen firsthand just how many positions Guillorme can play. Throughout his stint with the club, he has moved between second base, third base, and even shortstop. A whiz at times with the glove, he’s a gifted asset to have on your bench for a late-inning defensive replacement. Beyond that, I’m not so sure.

The fact that the Mets have this many second base options already on the roster is great. It wouldn’t come to it, but even Francisco Lindor could surely move over and man the position temporarily.

One of the last unknowns about the team’s starting lineup next season, it’s never bad to have options.

Mets Shortstop Depth Chart: Francisco Lindor, Luis Guillorme, anyone you want to see make a fool of themselves

The shallowest position on the field for the Mets is at shortstop. After Francisco Lindor, only Luis Guillorme is listed on the depth chart. Others can stand there and maybe make a few plays. For the most part, it’s a two-man band.

Lindor may not have had the season anyone in Queens wanted. He didn’t hit well for most of the year and by the time he was swinging a nice bat, the Mets were ready to fade out of contention.

Something Lindor did do well throughout the whole 2021 season was play defense. He was a Gold Glove finalist and you could make an argument that he was robbed of winning his first in the National League.

His lone backup, Guillorme, has a better reputation fielding the position than actual results. He has, however, been limited to only 22 games at shortstop which might come as a bit of a surprise. Keep in mind, Amed Rosario played a lot of games for the Mets during his time with the club. Guillorme’s best position has been second base.

It’s not uncommon for a team to have few shortstop options. It’s the toughest position on the infield to play. We’ll just have to hope for a healthy year from Lindor.

Mets Left Field Depth Chart: Mark Canha, Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis, Brandon Nimmo

That’s a whole lot of left field depth! And I’m sure if there was enough room, we could even add Starling Marte into the mix.

It looks like Mark Canha will be the starting left fielder for the Mets in 2022 with the next guys in line to play being Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis, and finally Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo is only so far down the depth chart because he’s expected to start somewhere else. Moving him would weaken his spot over in right field.

The Mets have had trouble finding stability in left field just as they have in center field as well. The position has been occupied regularly by the three guys in the middle of this depth chart: none of whom we typically consider to be natural left fielders.

Something to keep in mind: the Mets had the 27th lowest WAR from their left fielders in 2021. It was tied for their lowest at any position with catchers—also 27th in the major leagues. However, with a -2.0 WAR at the position, it was slightly worse than the -1.9 WAR their catchers had.

Left field doesn’t have to be a position of greatness on a ball club. The addition of Canha should at least give them a more natural player at the position. The regulars we have seen at the position in recent seasons should at least provide them with some places to turn in case of injury.

Mets Center Field Depth Chart: Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo, Nick Plummer, Mark Canha

This is one of the better center field depth charts the Mets have had in some years. Starling Marte alone changes everything. But if we then factor in what Brandon Nimmo was able to accomplish last season at the position, things are looking up at one of the club’s weakest positions in recent seasons.

Behind the Marte/Nimmo duo we have Nick Plummer. Although he has yet to receive even a single game of major league experience, he has a good chance to make the Opening Day roster as their fifth outfielder. His ability to play center field could be a big help, too.

Finally, they have Mark Canha to turn to. Although he is their starting left fielder next year, Canha has played some center field. This is a great tool to have in his belt. The more versatility a player has, the better.

The fact that the Mets have three capable major league center fielders is a huge plus. There’s no Albert Almora or Jake Marisnick to hope for the best with. Even a guy like Plummer is far enough down the line where we won’t have to keep our fingers too close to the panic button.

Between the three starters alone, the Mets have center field well-covered.

Mets Right Field Depth Chart: Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, Mark Canha, Nick Plummer

A bit of a repeat of the other outfield positions, the only difference we have is the addition of Jeff McNeil. Brandon Nimmo is the projected starter with McNeil, Mark Canha, and Nick Plummer slotted in the rear.

If McNeil really does end up starting at second base for the team, I wouldn’t expect him to play much right field for them. More realistically, I would expect Canha to slide across the outfield and see some action whenever needed. Even someone like J.D. Davis could make some sense at the position.

Needless to say, a lot of this and the rest of the roster depth charts depends on who and what the Mets trade away or add to the roster. A single major free agent signing can change everything.

Right field depth is a little more valuable than left field. You need a guy with an arm and a bit more range to prevent a couple of extra doubles from turning into triples—or worse.

The Mets are set pretty well at this position for the coming season. Nimmo’s health is always a question. However, with at least Canha remaining with the club, they have some pretty solid solutions if—more likely when—they lose Nimmo for any time to an injury.