5 major "wild cards" that can define the 2023 season

2) NY Mets wild card: Continuing with a DH platoon

It’s going to be another DH platoon at Citi Field this year. Daniel Vogelbach is the guy to start against right-handed pitchers. Someone else will get the nod when they face a lefty.

Darin Ruf’s presence on the roster makes it look like he’ll be an early favorite for those at-bats. However, the team did also sign Tommy Pham this offseason. We can consider them the two most likely to get the start over Vogelbach. Each will need to stay warm every night anyway. The moment the opposing team summons a southpaw from the bullpen is the time when Ruf or Pham receive a tap on the shoulder to take their hacks at the plate.

A DH platoon isn’t the most exciting plan of attack. Scars from how poorly it worked for the Mets last year, even prior to Vogelbach and Ruf, are too fresh to think any differently.

The Mets do have Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Francisco Alvarez down in the minors as future options in this role. Baty could potentially push Eduardo Escobar there if he gets off to a hot start. He may even be a viable candidate if Vogelbach underperforms or gets hurt.

When you study the analytics, a platoon of Vogelbach and a righty who hits lefties well should work out. We’ve already seen it fail. Raise a glass to some different results.