In a surprise move, the Mets have decided to promote top infield prospect Andres Gimenez to open the season. It’s not clear just yet how robust a role he’ll occupy, but Amed Rosario projects as the everyday option at shortstop — he position Gimenez plays.
Also making the MLB roster are lefty Chasen Shreve and righty Hunter Strickland. Both have had their contracts selected to the 40-man roster. It’s the same situation for infielder Eduardo Nunez, as reported previously. To clear a 40-man roster spot, the Mets designated lefty Stephen Gonsalves for assignment.
The 21-year-old Gimenez has ranked as one of the organization’s best prospects for the past three years. His 2019 numbers weren’t exactly eye-catching — .250/.307/.387 in Double-A — but Gimenez was among the youngest players in the pitcher-friendly Eastern League. Gimenez went on to play in the Arizona Fall League and raked at a .371/.413/.586 clip in 18 games and 75 plate appearances. Entering the 2020 season, he was ranked as the game’s No. 84 prospect at MLB.com and No. 90 at Baseball Prospectus.
Strickland, 31, was limited by a Grade 2 lat strain last year and struggled enormously when on the mound, pitching to a combined 5.55 ERA in 24 1/3 frames between the Mariners and Nationals. His track record prior to that unsightly campaign, however, was strong. From 2014-18, Strickland worked to a combined 2.91 ERA (3.40 FIP) with averages of 8.4 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and 0.7 HR/9.
Of course, Strickland has drawn as much if not more attention for other reasons. He incited a benches-clearing brawl in 2017 after throwing at Bryce Harper — an incident most believe to be the result of a years-old grudge against Harper for homering twice off Strickland in the 2014 NLDS. The next year, upon being pulled from a game after blowing a saved, Strickland punched a door out of frustration and sustained a broken right hand. He required surgery and missed the next six weeks.
The left-handed Shreve was a solid middle relief option for the Yankees for a few seasons but flopped when he was traded to the Cardinals in the 2018 Luke Voit swap that also sent Giovanny Gallegos to St. Louis. In 203 2/3 innings, Shreve has a career 3.71 ERA.
Gonsalves, 26, was a fourth-round pick by Minnesota and was long a top prospect in the Twins organization. He cracked multiple Top 100 lists as he rose through the minors, regularly drawing praise as a high-probability back-end starter. He never got much of a look in Minnesota, though (24 2/3 innings), and he’s been limited by arm troubles in recent years.
is Ryan Cordell on the 40-man? He should be there.
He isn’t on the 40 man at this point. Just a part of the 60 man player pool
that’s 2 years in a row BVW promoted a top prospect on opening day instead of going for the extra year of control
The only way I could have seen Giménez get the call was if Cano was injured and they played him everyday at 2B. Otherwise, it’s a bit of a head stretcher.
Tie game with a runner on second, Giminez will be the guy. The Mets have zero speed otherwise. It’s a different game so teams will have different looking rosters.
@Bill M –
27.0 feet per second foot speed is considered competitive average by Statcast.
Mets have 8 of 16 position players on the opening day roster above that..
but those other 8, oh so slow.
Its the best way for him to get game action and continue development in 2020.
angt222
I can only hope that is the case! :)
Maybe they’re trying to showcase Gimenez. Mauricio is the real prize prospect.
When SS Ronny Mauricio, C Francisco Alvarez, 3B Brett Baty, and P Matthew Allan are up there with Pete, Conforto, deGrom, Syndergaard et al, we’ll be tremendous. I compare them with the Chisox (watch for their Nick Madrigal).
jonnyzuck
BVM is in desperation mode and he knows he will not be around long term so he doesn’t care about extra control years of players when he is gone.
Makes no sense for Oswalt to make the team and Nunez making the team walk? Also dumping Gonsalves is dumb
Oswalt Over Peterson is dumb
Is Peterson ready yet though?
Probably a manipulation of service time.
You mean obviously not a manipulation of service time, since they started Alonso on opening day last year and just promoted Gimenez for opening day when they don’t even have a need for an infielder.
Oswalt over anyone is dumb. I thought they unloaded him.
I’d rather them give Erasmo Ramirez a shot at the #5 spot then Oswalt
Yeah I agree. I don’t get what they see in Oswalt. He’s been terrible. At least Ramirez had some success in the show.
Tyler Bashlor,Daniel Zamora and Walker Lockett all of whom are better options to DFA:Am I a joke to you?
Gimenez could be a piece for Lindor if the Tribe ever decide to move him. Frankie is the type of player the Mets need. The Wilpon’s need to sell to Steve Cohen already.
The Mets won’t get Lindor. You can take that to the bank.
Sooooo not happening.
Klentak go get Gonsalves
Surprised Giménez got the call when you have a capable backup SS in Guillorme. Also surprising Gonsalves is cut when SP depth took a hit this week.
They don’t seem ready for a 60-game sprint. No organizational depth.
@Bill M, the runner on 2nd base will be the last out the inning before. So Gimenez won’t be that player on 2nd in extra inning games. Unless he made the last out of course.
Have you heard of a pinch runner?
Mets should trade Rosario for a left fielder can’t depend on Cespedes
That aged well, only run for the team