Mets 2022 Projected Postseason Roster (Updated)
Earlier in the week, this site published a projected postseason roster listing out who was set to make the roster. It also identified which players were on the bubble. Well, it has been less than a week and a lot has changed since then. This should come as no surprise. After all, this is the Mets.
Before proceeding, let’s look first and foremost at who is guaranteed to make the roster:
CATCHERS (2)
With the Mets built to go deep in October based on their pitching, the Mets are going to leave heavily on the pitch framing ability of both of these catchers. In all likelihood, who starts in the postseason will solely come down to starting pitcher preference.
INFIELDERS (5)
From a list a players perspective, this has not changed. However, what might have changed is Escobar’s standing. With his play in September, it is growing increasingly likely he is going to be used as the everyday third baseman throughout the postseason.
OUTFIELDERS (3)
With the recent Starling Marte news, Gore has been upgraded to a definite. Honestly, he probably should have been considered as such from the beginning. After all, he’s a unique weapon deployed by other World Series winning teams.
DH (1)
The way things are looking now Vogelbach may remain as the only pure DH. Of course, as will be detailed more below, that may be just a technicality.
STARTERS (5)
We now the top three will be deGrom, Scherzer, and Bassitt. With recent performances from Carrasco and Walker, it is anyone’s guess as to who is the fourth starter.
BULLPEN (5)
Smith has been upgraded from the bubble to guaranteed to make it. Buck Showalter loves him, and after allowing that grand slam in his first appearance off the IL, he has been lights out.
INJURED PLAYERS
- Tommy Hunter
- Joey Lucchesi
- Starling Marte
If the Mets were going to look to carry Lucchesi on the postseason roster, they would’ve added him by now. The minor league seasons are over, and there are no more rehab games available for him. With respect to Marte, the news on his finger isn’t good, and the Mets are making moves which seem partially the result of his being unavailable for at least the first round of the postseason.
It would seem as if Hunter’s season is over with the back injury. Truth be told, he was never really going to be in the mix.. As for Givens, it would seem he would be a lock for the roster if healthy. He had a rehab stint with Syracuse, and he looks good to go.
POSITION PLAYER BUBBLE
Right now, the Mets are left deciding who they want to carry at the right-handed platoon DH. In some ways, you might as well just take Ruf off the bubble as they have seemingly all but given up on him. That is why we first saw Vientos and are now seeing Álvarez.
Vientos has shown progress, and you can see where the will be able to contribute as a slugger at the Major League level. Unfortunately, the Mets are not in a position to hang with him and watch him continue to develop into the role. No, what the Mets need now is lightning in a bottle.
Well, the Mets are hoping Álvarez is just that because he has been called up to the majors. It would seem if he shows anything he will be the option. If nothing else, it helps the roster more having that extra catcher in a pinch hitting situation and/or break glass in case of emergency situation. The problem is Álvarez even less time than Vientos to prove himself.
RELIEF PITCHER BUBBLE
With roster rules, the Mets can only carry 13 pitchers. Right now, there are 10 spots taken up between the starters and those relievers guaranteed to make the roster.
Givens had a rehab appearance before Syracuse’s season ended. He pitched well, but for some reason, he has yet to be activated. In all likelihood, we shoudl see that over the weekend, and we should see him on the postseason roster.
Obviously, the Mets are going to carry a left-handed reliever. They may want to carry both Rodriguez and Peterson. That is even despite both pitchers struggling as relievers. For Peterson, it is an adjustment issue, and for Rodriguez, he has just been bad all season. If Givens is healthy and the Mets want the two left-handed relievers, then all the spots are taken.
That would squeeze out Megill and Williams. That may be a mistake because the Mets do not know what they can get out of Carrasco and Walker in the postseason, and they may need another arm out there to eat up innings. Moreover, Williams has been one of the Mets best relievers all season, and his contributions should not be overlooked at this time.
In the end, how the Mets structure this roster is going to depend on the Mets belief in Joely Rodriguez and just who the Mets believe can get hits as a right-handed DH option. These are not easy decisions, and they are decisions which may impact the Mets ability to win in the postseason.