Mets Prioritize Speed and Defense in NLCS Roster Adjustments
LOS ANGELES — Seeking speed and defense over bullpen depth, the Mets kept Luisangel Acuña on their National League Championship Series roster at the expense of veteran reliever Adam Ottavino.
Acuña, a rookie infielder who joined the team when Francisco Lindor injured himself in late September, was on New York’s playoff roster during the Wild Card and NL Division Series rounds. He seemed expendable for the NLCS, however, with Jeff McNeil set to return from a fractured right wrist.
Instead, both players made the roster. McNeil will likely serve as a left-handed bench bat and part-time starter at second base and in right field, while Acuña will reprise the role he played over the first two rounds of the playoffs: a late-game defensive sub who gives manager Carlos Mendoza flexibility in taking third baseman Mark Vientos off the field.
Frequently this postseason, Mendoza has subbed Vientos and Starling Marte out of games late, with Jose Iglesias shifting from second to third base, Acuña filling in at second, Harrison Bader playing center field, and Tyrone Taylor moving to right.
Acuña is also arguably the top stolen-base threat on the roster, with 40 bags in 131 games at Triple-A Syracuse. He has yet to attempt a steal during the playoffs.
“Versatility, speed — there’s a lot to like,” Mendoza said of Acuña. “In a series like this, it’s going to allow us to be a little more aggressive when we need to.”
The move does leave the Mets a little shorter in the bullpen, especially during a best-of-seven series. But with starting pitchers David Peterson and Tylor Megill serving as full-time relievers during the playoffs, the Mets feature more length in their bullpen than most teams.
Even so, this was a difficult decision given the veteran status of Ottavino, 38, who has served as a team leader while playing a key role in New York’s bullpen over the past three seasons. He and left-hander Danny Young both went unused during the first two rounds of the playoffs. Ottavino did finish the regular season on a relatively strong run, with no runs allowed in nine of his final 10 appearances, but he held a 4.34 ERA overall.
“I’m not going to get into details, but he handled it very professionally,” Mendoza said of his conversation with Ottavino. “He’s a professional, right? And he gets it. He’s not happy because he wants to contribute, but he’ll do whatever it takes for this team.”
Young made the NLCS roster and will be an option to pitch in lower-leverage situations against Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and other Dodgers lefties. The rest of the Mets’ roster is unchanged:
- Catchers (2): Francisco Alvarez, Luis Torrens
- Infielders (6): Pete Alonso, Jose Iglesias, Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, Jeff McNeil, Luisangel Acuña
- Outfielders (5): Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, Starling Marte, Harrison Bader, Jesse Winker
- Starting pitchers (4): Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Jose Quintana
- Relief pitchers (8): Edwin Díaz, Ryne Stanek, Phil Maton, David Peterson, Reed Garrett, José Buttó, Tylor Megill, Danny Young
Expert Discussion
To delve deeper into this decision, we invite three baseball analysts to share their insights:
- Dr. Sarah Thompson, Sports Psychologist
- Mark Rodriguez, Former MLB Coach
- Lisa Chen, Baseball Statistician
Questions for Discussion:
How does Acuña’s versatility impact team dynamics in high-pressure situations?
Dr. Thompson: “Having a player who can adapt quickly is invaluable, especially in the postseason where every game can be pivotal.”
Are the Mets’ bullpen concerns valid given Ottavino’s experience?
Mark Rodriguez: “While experience is crucial, the depth from starters stepping into bullpen roles may alleviate that concern.”
What implications does this strategic move have for the Mets’ chances in the series?
Lisa Chen: “It emphasizes a shift towards agility and speed, which may prove beneficial against a powerful Dodgers lineup.”
What are your thoughts on the Mets’ roster decisions? Engage with us in the comments below!