We are getting close to the end of Spring meaning it is time to once again look at the bench and see who is going to be going to New York with the big league squad and who will return, also to New York, but to play with AAA Buffalo. Assuming the Mets carry a five person bench (they will most likely start with a 6 person bench and then drop to a five person bench when its time to get the fifth starter) the Mets probably have two spots open on the roster. Tatis has a guranteed position on the bench, he can play both corner outfiield spots, third base and can play first base if he really has to, he is also a big bat off the bench. Castro has the spot as the back up catcher. Cora has the spot as the back up middle infielder. With Pagan injured, that leaves two spots open for the following players:
Anderson 34 AB, R, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 RBI, .265 AVG
Reed 47 AB, 10R, 20 H, 6 2B, HR, 9 RBI, .426 AVG
Sullivan 45 AB, 10 R, HR, 3 RBI, .222 AVG
Kielty 43 AB, 6 R, 15 H, 3 2B, HR, 10 RBI, .349 AVG
Evans 64 AB, 11 R, 19 H, 5 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, .297 AVG
Right off the bat Reed gets a spot on team. He can play all three outfielder spots and his bat is doing pretty well right now. Defensiviely he is very similar to Sullivan but I think due to his hitting skills he gets the nod over Sullivan and gets to the big league club. That means there is one spot left.
Evans will most likely not get the spot (although he could get that sixth spot because he has options). That means the competition is down to Kielty and Anderson. The advantage that Marlon has over Bobby is that Marlon can play in the corner positions and he can play second base and first base. Kielty can play first base but is pretty much restricted to the outfield. I really like Kielty's bat over Anderson, but I think do to defense alignments Anderson will get the spot so the Mets have another middle infielder on the bench. If he doesn't produce though, I really hope the Mets do not hesistate to make a switch. Also the problem of keeping either one of them is moving them around, because they have to go through claimers and all of that. Overall, its probably a wash between the two of them because you are talking about the last bench spot, a position that is going to change and change and change as the team goes on.
