Martin Gandy put up a "Making the Team Meter" over at Talking Chop, and I liked it so much I decided to steal it. Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery, no? I'm no Carlos Mencia, but I have taken the Mets' 40-man roster as well as all of their non-roster invitees and rated their current chances of making the Mets out of spring training. An up-arrow means their stock is on the rise, though it doesn't necessarily mean they are particularly likely to make the club. A down-arrow means they aren't doing so hot, and neutral is just that.
Technically open spots: three rotation spots, two bullpen spots, two bench spots.
I'll post an updated list once a week or so as circumstances encourage me to do so.
| Player, Position |
 
|
Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Adkins, RHP |
|
Acquired from Padres in Ring/Bell deal, probably doesn't figure into Mets' bullpen plans. |
| Adam Bostick, LHP |
|
Came to Mets from Marlins in Lindstrom/Owens trade. Has never pitched in the bigs, look for him to continue that trend in 2007. |
| Ambiorix Burgos, RHP |
|
From Royals in Bannister deal, his right arm is a cannon without sight. Could fill out the back end of the 'pen. |
| Marcos Carvajal, RHP |
|
Snagged off waivers from TB, probably won't be Queens bound in April. |
| Philip Humber, RHP |
|
Feels great following 2005 TJ surgery, but has plenty of competition for the fifth starter spot. |
| Chan Ho Park, RHP |
|
Willie likes his curveball; frontrunner for #5 starter. |
| John Maine, RHP |
|
Impressed last year and in the playoffs, it will probably take a catastrophe for him not to make the team. |
| Mike Pelfrey, RHP |
|
Like Humber, has his work cut out for him if he's going to make the club from the get-go. Everyone loves him, though. |
| Oliver Perez, LHP |
|
Not as sure a thing as Maine, but he has the inside track at #4 in the rotation. |
| Alay Soler RHP |
|
Didn't impress last year, probably won't impress this year. |
| Jorge Sosa, RHP |
|
Long man? Maybe. Lousy pitcher? Assuredly. |
| Jason Vargas, LHP |
|
Also competing for the fifth rotation spot, but is several ticks down on he depth chart. |
| Damion Easley, IF |
|
Favorite for the do-everything utility spot, and can't be much worse than Chris Woodward was last year. |
| Anderson Hernandez, IF |
|
Can hit in the minors, can hit in winter ball, can't hit big league pitching. IPOR is on the fast track to New Orleans. |
| Ben Johnson, OF |
|
Nice player, should compete for the last spot on the bench. |
| Lastings Milledge, OF |
|
Will be very good one day soon, but unless he is all kinds of nasty in spring training he will begin the season in AAA. |
| David Newhan, OF |
|
Hard to get a reading here, but he's a useful utility guy. |
| Eddie Camacho, LHP |
|
Career minor leaguer, will be one of the first cuts (if he's even in camp). |
| Willie Collazo, LHP |
|
SEE: Eddie Camacho |
| Derek Lee, LHP |
|
He's no Derrek Lee. |
| Kevin Mulvey, RHP |
|
Drafted out of Villanova in 2006, no chance of making the team. |
| Clint Nageotte, RHP |
|
SEE: Dried up husk. |
| Aaron Sele, RHP |
|
Good insurance policy if Chan Ho doesn't work out. |
| Joe Smith, RHP |
|
Great arm, sidewinder, could get a call up this year. |
| Lino Urdaneta, RHP |
|
Forget it. |
| Jorge Vasquez, RHP |
|
Hang 'em up. |
| Sandy Alomar, Jr., C |
|
Needs an injury to Duke or Castro, but is still a better option than Heitpas, DiFelice, etc. |
| Drew Butera, C |
|
Needs a rash of injuries to the catching corps. |
| Mike DiFelice, C |
|
Just keeps hanging around this team. |
| Joe Hietpas, C |
|
Behind DiFelice on the depth chart. Enough said. |
| Mike Nickeas, C |
|
Keep walking. |
| Francisco Pena, C |
|
Not this year, but someone to keep an eye on. |
| Jose A. Reyes, C |
|
Only room for one Jose Reyes on this club. |
| Michel Abreu, 1B |
|
Raked last year in the minors, but there probably isn't a spot for him right now. |
| Mike Carp, 1B |
|
Nice prospect, good bat, no room. |
| Ruben Gotay, IF |
|
Cleared waivers recently, will go back to AAA. |
| Chip Ambres, OF |
|
Who? |
| Fernando Martinez, OF |
|
The kid can mash, but is still a good two years from making his big league debut. |
| Victor Mendez, OF |
|
... |
| Ruben Sierra, OF |
|
Probably won't make the cut. |
Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.