Infielder Eduardo Nunez has earned a spot on the Mets’ season-opening roster, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Meanwhile, right-hander Erasmo Ramirez will head to the Mets’ taxi squad instead of their 30-man roster.
The 33-year-old Nunez has been a successful big leaguer in the past (especially with the Giants and Red Sox from 2016-17), but a significant decline in production over the previous two seasons stopped him from landing a guaranteed contract over the winter. After batting an unsightly .255/.277/.366 (67 wRC+) in Boston from 2018-19, he settled for a minor league deal with the Mets. Now, as someone with extensive experience at every infield position but first base, he could serve as a backup to second baseman Robinson Cano, shortstop Amed Rosario and third baseman Jeff McNeil. Of course, the Mets will first have to add Nunez to their 40-man roster, which is at capacity right now.
Ramirez, another offseason minor league pickup, looked like a logical candidate to earn a spot in New York after the club placed No. 2 starter Marcus Stroman on the injured list Wednesday. Now that the once-effective swingman won’t begin the year with the Mets, it remains unclear how they’ll fill out their rotation behind Jacob deGrom, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz and Michael Wacha. Walker Lockett’s on the IL, but David Peterson, Corey Oswalt and Stephen Gonsalves could represent a few options from their 60-man player pool.
Good for him
this guy could be a beast if he returns to form
Beast? Even in his prime with the Twins/Giants he was nowhere near a beast, just an above average utility man.
He did steal 64 bases between ’16 & ’17. For a team severely lacking speed – could be a useful element. He also doesn’t strike out a ton – another quality aspect for a fill in guy.
Pretty average player but a solid clubhouse guy. Liked him while he was on the Yankees.
yeah I mean this is a season where having a guy with speed is seriously beneficial with the extra innings rule + the short season
as far as a projected bench piece can go. speedy and has a good base hit bat.
Beast? Only if he is playing behind his pitching staff on defense if a ball is hit to him .
The question continues to be his knee. If healthy, he’s a solid hitter off the bench. If not though, his below average defense at multiple positions would make him unplayable at any of those positions. As I like Nunez, I’m hoping his making the club is a sign that his knee is ok. Imagine for one inning, Nunez and Lowry together on the same side of the diamond…we’ll actually I cannot imagine that….
He definitely a utility man option.
Ryan Cordell should make the roster too.
Awful ballplayer
Perfectly fine bench piece. The big issue is, who do the Mets drop from the 40 man to make room for him? Or will one of the IL guys (Lowrie?) go to the 45 day IL, effectively ending their season? And on the topic of 5th starter, now that Ramirez (thankfully) is on the taxi squad, who will it be?
I vote for Zamora to drop. He sucks. Mets bench is Nunez, 2 catchers, Smith, Marisnek, and kid SS?