Let’s Update That NLDS Roster Prediction

I never get tired of rosterbating, and things seem a little clearer with the expectation that Enrique Hernandez will be available for the NLDS and that Yasiel Puig will not. (He could possibly return for the NLCS, though, should the Dodgers get there.) Let’s see where we stand:

Hitters (13)

1. C/1B Yasmani Grandal
2. C A.J. Ellis
3. 1B Adrian Gonzalez
4. 2B Howie Kendrick
5. 2B/3B/1B Chase Utley
6. SS/3B Corey Seager
7. SS Jimmy Rollins
8. 3B/2B/1B Justin Turner
9. LF Carl Crawford
10. LF/RF Andre Ethier
11. CF Joc Pederson
12. OF/1B Scott Van Slyke
13. UT Enrique Hernandez

What you see there is a lot of depth and flexibility. There’s about a dozen different ways to configure the infield, and about the same for the outfield. Argue about how Seager gets in the lineup if you like, but barring injury it seems to be completely certain that both he and Rollins are on the active roster.

This excludes Alex Guerrero (ha), Jose Peraza (who is also recovering from injury and probably won’t be ready), Austin Barnes, Chris Heisey, Justin Ruggiano, Scott Schebler, and Ronald Torreyes. There’s not much of an argument to be made for any of them other than Ruggiano (who would presumably be the first man up if Hernandez’ hamstring acts up), though as we’ve discussed, the Mets don’t offer much lefty pitching to crush.

It’d be interesting to see how they squeeze Puig on. That’s a problem for later, though.

Pitchers (12)

1. SP Clayton Kershaw (L)
2. SP Zack Greinke
3. SP Brett Anderson (L)
4. SP Alex Wood (L)
5. CL Kenley Jansen
6. RP J.P. Howell (L)
7. RP Yimi Garcia
8. RP Chris Hatcher
9. RP Pedro Baez
10. RP Juan Nicasio
11. RP Luis Avilan (L)
12. RP Carlos Frias

That excludes Jim Johnson, Joel Peralta, Adam Liberatore, Ian Thomas, and Mike Bolsinger, among others.

I have to say, I thought this would be harder. The ultimate decision to not promote guys like Jharel Cotton or Julio Urias, and to cut ties with Mat Latos, cut down on options. Perhaps they do take Johnson (who is at least still inducing grounders) over Frias, who has pitched only 6 innings since returning. But really, this was cut-and-dry.

Now: Tell me where I’m wrong.