3 Up, 3 Down: Welcome Return, Leadoff Dilemma, Vientos Shows Out
We’re entering the final two weeks of spring training action for the New York Mets, and the 2024 roster picture is taking shape.
Competition is really heating up for the final few roster spots available as we edge closer and closer to Opening Day. For those already guaranteed a spot in the big leagues, the remaining 16 games of Grapefruit League action will be used as a dress rehearsal for the regular season.
With that said, let’s dive into this week’s 3 Up, 3 Down…
3 Up
Edwin Díaz. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
DÍAZ’S RETURN
It has been almost a year since Edwin Díaz went down hurt while celebrating at the World Baseball Classic. The star closer was lost for the year and, in truth, the Mets never truly recovered from that gut punch. Fast forward to the present day and Díaz will finally return to the mound on Monday. The righty will throw up to 20 pitches against the Marlins in his first real taste of action since tearing his patellar tendon in 2022. Given his importance to this franchise, Díaz’s spring training debut will be a significant moment for the Mets. The two-time All-Star is the straw that stirs the drink for that bullpen.
HOT CORNER COMPETITION HEATING UP
The 2024 season will be boom or bust for both Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. If they succeed, then the void at third base is filled for the next little while. If they fail, however, the Mets will have to figure out what to do with their two top prospects. It is a good thing, then, that both players have flashed signs of promise thus far. Vientos hit his second homer of the spring in a loss to the Tigers on Sunday, following a two-hit game on Saturday. Baty, meanwhile, also had two hits on Saturday and is now hitting .222/.276/.370/.646 this spring. There is still plenty of work to be done by both players, but this weekend was a step in the right direction.
HOUSER SHOWING OUT
This has been a pretty solid spring training for Adrian Houser so far. After a good first start, the righty struggled in his second start but rebounded emphatically in his third on Sunday. The veteran, who is expected to round out the rotation, tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings against Detroit. Houser retired all ten batters he faced and struck out five. He also had great results with his sinker while locating his fastball to perfection. If the Mets can get solid outing after solid outing from Houser, the rotation should be in a good spot heading into 2024.
Shintaro Fujinami, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
3 Down
STILL SOMETHING MISSING
Something just doesn’t feel right with this group. As currently constituted, the 2024 Mets are just missing something, and I’m down on their chances to compete for a Wild Card spot. Call me a negative Nancy all you want, but that’s my gut feeling. This team is in need of another solid starter, as well as a big bat for the middle of the lineup. Sure, I get the argument that this is a transition year and a year for certain prospects to make their mark. However, will it really be good for the development of those young players to be on a team that piles up the losses? I’m not so sure.
BULLPEN STRUGGLES
Sunday wasn’t a good day for those looking to win one of the final spots in the bullpen. Shintaro Fujinami, who carries so much intrigue, laid a Godzilla-sized egg in his outing. The righty allowed three hits and two runs as the Tigers took a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning. Jorge López also struggled, allowing three hits and one earned run in his one inning of work. Given how close we are to Opening Day, having a stinker could prove costly for the likes of Fujinami, who will be hoping to nail down a place in the bullpen.
DON’T FIX WHAT ISN’T BROKEN
Reports surfaced over the weekend suggesting that Brandon Nimmo would be willing to move away from the leadoff spot. Nimmo himself lent some credence to those claims, although manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Nimmo would remain the leadoff hitter as long as everyone else was healthy. However, there did appear to be an iota of doubt in Mendoza’s words, which suggests a change could happen at some point this year. That would be a mistake.
Nimmo has established himself as an excellent leadoff hitter. He led the Mets in on-base percentage in 2023, 2021 and 2018. Furthermore, the outfielder’s OBP ranks 11th in all of baseball since making his debut in 2011, above the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. It just doesn’t make any sense to move Nimmo away from the leadoff spot. He is the perfect man for that role and will continue to be.
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