Mets split their split-squad games, start rounding out Opening Day roster
Plus, did the Mets wait too long to sign JD Martínez?
What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets split squad found mixed results as camp begins to wind down. In Game 1 the Mets defeated the Nationals 10-1 (box)
RHP Luis Severino was solid again in his final start of spring. He gave up one run in five innings while striking out four
RHP Edwin Díaz struck out one in his clean inning of work
OF Starling Marte went 2-for-4 with two runs scored
In Game 2 the Mets fell to the Marlins 5-1 (box)
RHP Tylor Megill’s last start of spring could have gone better - he pitched five innings, gave up three runs, and struck out seven
RHP Sean Reid-Foley did not record an out and gave up two runs in his appearance
2B Zack Short went 2-for-3 with a run scored
DJ Stewart is traveling north with the team, but is not activated yet
Mets are still looking at potential free agents (those who aren't making other clubs) for the final roster spot
Roster Moves 🗞️
Mets selected Zack Short to the active roster
Traded RHP Austin Adams to the A’s for cash considerations
Optioned INF Mark Vientos to Triple-A Syracuse
Did not make team:
DH Jiman Choi (did not exercise opt-out, going to AAA)
INF José Iglesias (did not exercise opt-out, going to AAA)
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-Up: Mets (15-13) vs. Yankees (13-16)
Where: George M. Steinbrenner Field - Tampa, FL
Starters: LHP Sean Manaea (2-1, 3.09 ERA) vs. RHP Clarke Schmidt (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
When: 1:05 PM EDT
Where To Watch: YES
This is the last Grapefruit League on the schedule. The Mets will be off Tuesday and Wednesday and open the season on Thursday against the Brewers at Citi Field.
Did the Mets wait too long to improve their roster? ✍️
When the Mets signed JD Martínez, it was unquestionably the right move.
The offense was in desperate need of an upgrade since there were too many question marks in the lineup as Opening Day approached. DJ Stewart, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos struggled on all spring and had their own issues coming into camp, Starling Marte still has to prove he can bounce back from his injury-plagued season at age-35, and Jeff McNeil was sidelined for a good portion of spring games due to biceps soreness in the same left arm he was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his elbow last year.
During the offseason and throughout camp, David Stearns said publicly the organization was comfortable filling the DH position with internal options. Perhaps that was true to an extent and they were waiting to see DJ Stewart or Mark Vientos compete for the position.
But as camp came to a close, neither were able to win the spot. Or perhaps he was waiting out the market and Martinez’s asking price finally fell to a spot they were comfortable paying.
Or both. After all, it’s very hard for a club that continued to insist they were playoff-caliber to depend on so many unproven players. That’s certainly another reason why the Mets acted on Martínez.
No matter the scenario the fact of the matter is, the Mets are short-handed going into the first part of the season.
Martínez still needs time to get ready for the season since he missed all of spring training, so that means the Mets are still in search of a DH for Opening Day. Outside of power, the Mets felt there was still too much work for him to do on both sides of the ball to have him on the team.
That doesn’t inspire much confidence.
It seems as though Stewart could be in the mix on the left side with some combination of Zack Short and maybe Tyrone Taylor while they moonlight as backups in their respective positions. However, Stewart has not yet made the team himself but will travel north with the club after today’s game against the Yankees in Tampa.
Alternatively, as it was reported yesterday, the Mets will scrap all of that and find a temporary plug among players who didn’t make their respective clubs and who might be come free agents today when they officially have to opt-out of their contracts or go to the minors.
The point is, did the Mets wait too long to make a move? Could not having Martínez for the first 10-14 days of the season negatively impact the team? This situation certainly could have been avoided if the Mets had been more aggressive during the offseason. Sure, Martínez will eventually be a regular in the lineup and the offense could develop into a powerhouse, but given the many questions and issues already baked into the roster, the team should’ve been better prepared and not counting on so many players who have shown very little at the major league level.
Around The League 🚩
Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to speak with the media for the first time since his interpreter was fired for his alleged involvement in illegal gambling
The Phillies and LHP Matt Strahm agreed to a $7.5 contract extension through the 2025 season
The Rockies acquired OF Jake Cave from the Phillies in exchange for cash considerations
Former Met Daniel Vogelbach made the Blue Jays’ Opening Day roster
Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff plans on missing the entire 2024 season as he recovers from shoulder surgery
I’ve never been a proponent of minimizing importance of any games-including first two weeks. Games lost then when Martinez might have helped could be the mathematical difference come October. One can only hope they dodge the bullet and win anyway with who they have