Take Two: Who Gets the Nod for a September Call-Up?

With September 1 less than a week away and about a month left in the 2024 season, the Mets have a few decisions to make to bolster their team. Rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on September 1, just as teams hit the final lap in the race for postseason baseball. Entering Tuesday, the Mets sit three games behind Atlanta for the final seat in the NL Wild Card race. Arizona and San Diego hold the first and second spots, respectively, and the Mets begin a key series with the D-backs on Tuesday.

The Mets will return home from their road trip with a better idea of where they sit in the playoff race come September 1—they’ll either be closer or, unfortunately, further from their goal. A week ago, we analyzed who the Mets might call up, but even since then, things have changed.

Brett Baty, who had been raking in Triple-A and was a shoo-in for a call-up, is out four to six weeks with a fractured finger, effectively ending his 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, RHP Paul Blackburn was put on the IL with a right-hand contusion after taking a comebacker off his pitching hand in San Diego.

Like we said, it’s a different picture than just a week ago. Let’s take a look at who might get the nod come September.

Pitching

While the Mets might have originally added to the bullpen, the rotation seems likely the place to bolster. However, don’t run it past them to stretch out Jose Buttó into a starter again.

Here are the likely candidates:

Tylor Megill seems the most plausible option for the Mets to call up, even before September, to make a start in Arizona. Blackburn would have started Thursday. The bullpen and rotation have more flexibility with players and options, so the Mets can have some fun here. However, they only get to carry 14 pitchers max. Huascar Brazobán, Reed Garrett and Danny Young all have options. Sean Reid-Foley will hopefully return down the stretch and is a name to look out for who can make an impact.

If there are players who can help down the stretch, don’t put it past David Stearns and the Mets to cut some veterans, too. If Adam Ottavino doesn’t produce, the Mets could very well part ways with him to make way for another player on the roster.

Prediction: Tylor Megill’s return to the Mets is short-lived in favor of a second southpaw, Alex Young. The team options Reed Garrett in early September to work on his control and activate Sean Reid-Foley if healthy. If Reid-Foley isn’t healthy, they opt for Grant Hartwig. If Garrett excels and displays what he produced in the early parts of the season, the team takes a chance on him and cuts ties with Ottavino.

Bench Players

This is where things get tricky. Unlike the bullpen, the Mets don’t have nearly the flexibility they do when playing musical chairs with players. As mentioned above, Baty was the top pick before a fractured finger forced him out of contention. However, Triple-A still has plenty of options for the Mets to call on:

Luke Ritter has mashed in Triple-A Syracuse this year, posting a .259/.370/.871 line while smoking 24 homers and 82 RBIs. His defensive versatility fits the Mets’ 2024 goals, as he can play both corner outfield positions, second and third base. The only reason the Mets may not take a flyer on Ritter this September would be because he’s a right-hander, and they have plenty of them. However, based on performance alone, Ritter might just be the most deserving candidate.

If you want to talk lefties, Jackie Bradley Jr., who the Mets signed out of the Long Island Ducks, might fit that role. He’s got some pop, and the defense is still there, but as we’ve mentioned before, the outfield is already crowded; Bradley Jr. would fit a role Ben Gamel previously designated—late-inning defensive replacement. Now, if you want to talk about speed…

Luisangel Acuña is as interesting as they get. Remember Terence Gore? While Acuña hasn’t produced the numbers he did when with the Rangers organization (or of his brother, some might know), he is a demon on the bases. He leads Syracuse in steals (32) and stole a career-high 57 in 2023 with Double-A.

Or what if you just want to have it all?

Why not go big and add Drew Gilbert to the 40-man and call him up? He’s a lefty, one of the top prospects in the system, can play the outfield and is a power bat. Sure, he doesn’t necessarily give you the speed you might desire from someone like Acuña or even JBJ, and he’s been out for a good chunk of the season, so he hasn’t had time to find his swing. Entering Tuesday, he homered in three of his last five games. It sounds like he’s starting to find it at a time when the Mets could use him.

Prediction: It’s a tossup between Bradley Jr. and Acuña. (I don’t think Gilbert had enough at-bats this year to take a chance on him right now). While the club knows what to expect from JBJ, Acuña is a Wild Card—they may want to see what they have on their hands with him and utilize his speed. I’m taking a gamble on Acuña. It’s time.

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