4 most obvious early season DFA candidates on the Mets roster

NY Mets DFA candidate Chasen Shreve

Chasen Shreve may have a better shot at staying with the Mets than Rodriguez simply because he has been a better pitcher in his career. While Rodriguez has been bouncing between the majors and minors, Shreve looks past that point in his career. He was good enough in 2020 and 2021 for the Mets to believe he can at least be suitable mid-innings reliever for them all year long.

This still won’t save Shreve from possibly getting designated for assignment. He has to pitch well. There is no excuse.

Shreve has been around the league long enough to have no more minor league options left on him. If the day does come where the Mets choose to DFA him, it’s likely he departs and looks for a major league job elsewhere. Lefties are always a hot commodity. It’s precisely why when you see a young child throwing with his right hand you insist he changes—correct?

Of all of the guys on this list, I have the most faith in Shreve lasting the full year with the Mets. He is far more likely to outperform Rodriguez. And even if the team does upgrade with a midseason addition, Shreve could simply get bumped to second in command for the left-handed reliever role. There is always room for two.