PORT ST. LUCIE — Nothing is guaranteed for the remaining players on the bubble in Mets camp.
Brett Baty might lead the Grapefruit League in OPS, but the Mets aren’t ready to commit to making him an everyday second baseman.
Luisangel Acuña can play just about anywhere in the infield, but there are still enough holes in his game that the Mets think he could be better off playing every day in Triple-A.
Alexander Canario hit two home runs Sunday in the team’s penultimate Grapefruit League game, but the Mets don’t have a roster spot for the outfielder.
In the waning days of spring training, the Mets aren’t completely sold on some of the options they have left for the final few spots on their 2025 Opening Day roster, leading them to seek outside help in the form of a right-handed hitting infielder. It’s highly unlikely they’ll be able to sneak Canario through waivers. The Major League outfield is crowded with Brandon Nimmo, Juan Soto, Jose Siri, Tyrone Taylor, Starling Marte and Jesse Winker. Marte and Winker will primarily DH, but both are able to play the corner spots in the event of an injury to either Nimmo or Soto, and Siri and Taylor can play all around the outfield.
Canario, who was traded to the Mets for cash considerations on Feb. 25, is out of minor league options.
“We’ll see what happens,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “We’ve got one more game to play. The power is real and we saw it today. When he impacts the baseball, he can do some damage. He’s got the ability to play the outfield, especially both corners. We’ll see where we are here.”
When it comes to Acuña and Baty, the questions are valid. Baty had an outstanding camp offensively and defensively, but playing second base in the Major Leagues is different from playing in the minor leagues. The game speed is faster and the Mets are relying on some ground-ball starters.
However, his bat has been tough to ignore. Baty hit .347 with three home runs, six doubles and a triple this spring, and reached base three times Sunday in a 10-2 Grapefruit League win over the Miami Marlins to improve his OPS to 1.133 this spring.
Acuña has better splits against lefties and could platoon with Baty, but his camp has been up and down, to say the least. The 23-year-old hit just .235 with a .519 OPS, with one double, one walk and eight strikeouts. Known for his speed, he stole three bases and was caught stealing only once, but he was picked off first base twice.
When the Mets called him up last fall, the scouting report was that he wasn’t able to use his speed effectively on the basepaths because of a poor baserunning acumen. He did little this spring to change that, a scout told the Daily News.
Acuña was called up to the Major Leagues last September after a disappointing season in Triple-A Syracuse to play in place of Francisco Lindor when the shortstop was having back issues. It gave the rookie a needed jolt of adrenaline to play at a higher level.
Still, the Mets would prefer to have Acuña playing every day in Triple-A to start the season, which is typically better for a young player’s overall development. But for that to happen, they need someone who can play shortstop, and they’ve already decided they would rather have Acuña than Donnie Walton.
Mendoza said second baseman Jeff McNeil has started some light activities, but is still out for the foreseeable future.
ROTATION SET
The Mets have their full rotation set for the first two series of the regular season. Clay Holmes will open the season Thursday in Houston, followed by Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning in Games 2 and 3 of the series. David Peterson and Kodai Senga will pitch the first two games of the following series in Miami, and Paul Blackburn will start the season in the bullpen.
Blackburn will stay stretched out and be moved back to the rotation in early April, when the Mets start a stretch of 13 games without an off-day. The right-hander will take on any role needed, eager to pitch again, after a spinal fluid leak ended his 2024 season early.
“Every guy that’s in the rotation earned that spot throughout spring,” Blackburn said. “Everyone is throwing the ball really well. I’m just excited to contribute in any way needed.”
The Mets are still deciding between right-handers Max Kranick and Huascar Brazobán for the final bullpen spot. Dedniel Nuñez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, needing to build up more before pitching in the big leagues.
Kranick and Brazobán both have minor league options, so the Mets don’t risk losing them on waivers.
REMEMBERING MILLER GARDNER
Mendoza, a longtime friend and former minor league teammate of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, was informed of Miller Gardner’s passing after Sunday’s Grapefruit League game. The manager was visibly distraught over the news that Gardner’s 14-year-old son passed away in his sleep Friday from an illness, holding back tears as he offered his condolences to Brett, his wife Jessica and their son Hunter.
The Mets organization is keeping the Gardners in their thoughts.
