The Mets have cut several veterans at Spring Training on minor league contracts from their Major League camp. Carlos Gomez, Adeiny Hechavarria, Rajai Davis, Hector Santiago, Ryan O’Rourke, and Devin Mesoraco are the non-roster invitees who have all been told they aren’t making the Opening Day roster. (Tim Healey of Newsday was one of several reporters who passed on the news.) Of note, Mesoraco didn’t have an opt-out clause in his contract, though the Mets said that the catcher is “reassessing his situation” with the organization.
Mesoraco, Hechavarria, and Davis each had upward mobility clauses in their contracts that went into effect last Wednesday, though there hasn’t been any word on whether any other teams had interest in any of the trio. This doesn’t appear to have been the case for Mesoraco, as Mike Puma of the New York Post reports (Twitter link) that Mesoraco has informed the Mets that he won’t go to Triple-A, and wants to be released. Mesoraco is even prepared to retire if he isn’t granted his release, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo (via Twitter).
Mesoraco’s situation is perhaps the most surprising, as indications were that he would serve as the backup catcher, since Travis d’Arnaud is likely to begin the season on the injured list. This could mean that a change in d’Arnaud’s status, or that the Mets would simply instead prefer to use another internal candidate in Tomas Nido as Wilson Ramos’ backup.
The Mets’ outfield situation was already pretty crowded, so Gomez and Davis faced something of an uphill battle in winning jobs. Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto have everyday jobs spoken for, while Jeff McNeil will get at least a share of the left field playing time, with Keon Broxton and Juan Lagares serving as backup outfielders.
O’Rourke pitched quite well in camp while Santiago struggled, though in the end, the Mets chose to take neither left-hander on their Opening Day roster. This will leave Justin Wilson and Luis Avilan (another minor league signing who is likely to make the team) as the southpaw options out of New York’s bullpen.
The Hechavarria news bodes well for Luis Guillorme’s chances of winning the utility infield job. McNeil will also see some time in the infield mix when he isn’t playing left field, and J.D. Davis looks to be the team’s top option at third base for the time being. Of course, the Mets’ infield situation will be in flux once Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie are healthy.
Kinda bummed Rajai didn’t make it
If the Mets are in the mix down the stretch, you think (if he’s still within the organization) he’ll be called upon to play a Dave Roberts-esque role?
Or when Juan Lagares goes down with a __________ injury. ( fill in the blanks )
bad hair
Odds are one of’er will get hurt during the season.
O’Rourke could be a nice replacement piece later on in the year when the Mets lose a pitcher.
Guess Dowdy made the team and glad they picked d’Arnaud over Mes and won’t go with three catchers.
D arnaud is trash…hurt every year all year
Hey G-dont you remember a few seasons ago when darnaud had a great weekend?
Was that in ‘15 or ‘16?
Adeiny should be in the majors somewhere. I don’t know where but he’s too good with the glove to be done in the major leagues.
If he sticks with the Mets, you’ll probably see a playoff bound team pick him up for his glove like the Yankees did last season
Too terrible with the bat though
Like Broxton?
Broxton’s having good spring. He’s learning a lot with his new team.
he stinks
Mesoraco should be back up. Darnaud has done nothing and never will.
Mes might be the catcher more frequently injured.
Mets have already said Darnaud will probably start the season on IL. So they really think he’ll end the season anywhere but the IL? Nido batting .130 Mesoraco batting .231 let me guess who has proven himself as back up? Darnaud had his chances now it’s time to cut the cord.
Uh look at his second half of 2014 numbers and his 2015
Really 4 seasons ago? Those who dwell in the past surrender the future. Time to move on!
Breaking: Mets to extend Todd Frazier.
Breaking you escaped your jail cell
Hahahahaha
I’m sure they’ll release Mesoraco. The A’s are going into the season with nobody at catcher and would make some sense when inevitably one of their 2 catchers can’t hit or field.
Hundley isn’t a nobody.
He’s a bad defender and a obp sinkhole
McNeil is starting at third base with Lagares in CF
Raji sealed his fate yesterday when he misplayed some balls and didn’t go after a ball that dropped in; very surprising….
I think he was pretty much ticketed for the minors (barring an injury) or another team once they traded for Broxton.
Good sign for Mets fans that they weren’t so desperate in needing them.
Disappointed they didn’t give Mes the chance. Have MLB and MLBPA agreed to extend active roster to 26 men?
Yes, in 2020
Only have a problem with 2 of these moves: Hechevarria and Mesoraco. Hechevarria is better than Rosario. Rosario was extremely overrated as a prospect and will never live up to the hype. Mesoraco isn’t great, but he’s way better and far more dependable than Glass d’Arnaud, the most fragile player ever to play catcher in the bigs.
Mesoraco isn’t great but a better choice than Nido I think. Rosario yes overrated but his offense much better than Hechevarria. I just can’t take anymore of Darnaud he is a terrible backstop when he is 100% healthy and that isn’t often.
When is he healthy?
How many games per year?
And how about his rifle arm?
He’s got those great catching skillz just like your boy dirty sanchez. Cuz he dirty behind the plate with all them red numbers next to his defensive metrics. Now roll out, and quit yankin’ your doodle kid! You’ll go blind!!!
Indians should sign Rajai. Again.
Fantasy question- do I grab peter alonzo or keep eduardo Escobar in an NL only league. Alonzos power potential intrigues me
Add whoever goes down when they activate Lowrie & This is a high-quality AAA team.
d’Arnaud has never panned out. Time to cut ties. He’ll be injured anyway & he couldn’t throw runners out before his surgery. To think he was the main guy in the trade & Syndagaard the throw in.
how about some positive comments . Mes should stay . other then that all is well.