3 players Ronny Mauricio could replace on the Mets roster
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After a brutal and sometimes, a hard to watch stretch for the New York Mets going 4-9 against some of the worst teams in baseball, they now find themselves on a five game winning streak entering their series against the Chicago Cubs. They have been getting much better starting pitching performances, timely hitting from their lineup, big home runs and solid bullpen performances as well.
But ever since the Mets have been on this streak, some of their success has been credited to what many call them, "The Baby Mets." Brett Baty, Francisco Alavarez and Mark Vientos to be exact. They have been significant factors in the Mets recent hot streak as they have been playing well at high levels providing key hits and hitting home runs that have helped the team climb out of fourth place in the NL East and back up to second behind the Atlanta Braves.
But there is still one more " Baby Met" that Met fans are waiting for the team the call-up. Yes, that would be infielder, Ronny Mauricio. Mauricio had a great spring training filling in for Francisco Lindor at shortstop and for Jeff McNeil at second base while they were at the World Baseball Classic and it has translated to the start of his minor league season. Now, many Met fans want to see him get the call-up as soon as possible so all of the "Baby Mets" can be together. But it will have to come at a price as the team must get rid of a player currently on the roster. So who can we see Ronny Mauricio replace on the ball club?
1) Mets Outfielder Tommy Pham could be replaced by Ronny Mauricio
If any Met should be gone first, it should be outfielder Tommy Pham and as soon as possible. I don't see Pham at all lasting on this team for the rest of the season the way he has been playing. Pham is a veteran of the game and has shown at some points during this season that he can still hit, flash the leather and has some speed which of course every team needs. But Pham has no place to be on this Mets roster right now and should be let go sooner rather than later.
On the season, Pham is only hitting .208 with just three home runs and 11 runs batted in. And when he's been given the opportunity to bat high in the Mets lineup, he has not produced offensively. Plus, he is 35 years old and age has certainly caught up to him. Pham needs to go and time with the Mets may be running out.
This is not a knock on Tommy Pham as a player. He's had a very nice and actually underrated playing career, but he just does not fit on this team. Tommy Pham should be the first player to be moved if the team wishes to call-up Mauricio.
2) Mets Infielder Eduardo Escobar could be replaced by Ronny Mauricio
Despite his recent hot streak, Met fans would still rather see Mauricio on the field over Eduardo Escobar. It makes the most sense, Escobar is in the final year of his contract and has seen his play time diminish ever since the Mets called up Brett Baty. Besides, Escobar is only hitting .215 on the season with just four homers on the season and Mauricio has already gone deep seven times with a batting average well over .350.
We could very well end up seeing Eduardo Escobar being traded either at or near the trading deadline in late July which could set the stage for Mauricio to get that roster spot if Eduardo Escobar gets moved. We still do not know if that will be the case but since Eduardo Escobar is primarily an infielder as is Mauricio, he may be the guy that gets replaced by Mauricio.
Escobar has had some very memorable moments with the club but like already mentioned, this is his last year of his deal with the Mets and if they want to fight for a playoff spot and Escobar starts to struggle again, Ronny Mauricio could end up being the key piece to the Mets race for a playoff spot.
3) Mets DH Daniel Vogelbach could be replaced by Ronny Mauricio
This may not be popular amongst Mets fans because ever since Daniel Vogelbach arrived last July, he instantly became a team and fan favorite. But we have to put that all aside and realize that Daniel Vogelbach has not been productive with the bat at all this season.
Vogelbach has not been able to get on any kind of hot streak this season thus far only .242 with just two home runs. He was brought in primarily for his bat and power and that power has not been there and he has not been able to produce for this Mets lineup as many thought they would after he was traded from the Pirates. Vogelbach has only driven in 13 runs on the season and in his last six games, has gone just two for his last 13. He has just not been able to get on track.
Again, this may not be something Met fans don't want to hear, but they have to realize how much potential Ronny Mauricio has. He can hit not just for contact, but for power and brings something to the table to Vogelbach lacks, that's speed. Vogelbach may be gone much to the dismay of some Met fans.
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