JUPITER, Fla. — A Mets starting infield that featured Brett Baty at second base, Luisangel Acuña at third and non-roster invitee Luis De Los Santos at shortstop screamed spring training.
It also screamed competition.
Those three — plus Donovan Walton — comprise the battle for the final roster spot.
The battle has lost its front-runner, as Nick Madrigal’s fractured shoulder might have cost him his season, and now the race is fairly wide open.
Maybe the Mets will prioritize experience (where Walton probably would have the edge).
Maybe the Mets will prioritize sure-handedness and ability to play shortstop (where Acuña and De Los Santos separate themselves as top options to give Francisco Lindor a break).
Maybe the best bat in the spring will win the job (where Baty owns the strongest argument).
Carlos Mendoza emphasized there is still time for the battle to play out.
“We’re three weeks away,” the manager said before Tuesday’s 6-1 loss to the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. “A lot can happen.”
There is no doubt about the starting unit, which features regulars everywhere except DH (where lefty-swinging Jesse Winker and righty-swinging Starling Marte, assuming health, likely will platoon) and possibly center field, where Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor both will see time.
Add in backup catcher Luis Torrens, and there is only one bench spot available for a player who can move all around the infield.
Which made Tuesday particularly interesting as the Mets try out several options for the last roster spot.
Baty — a proven third baseman — started at second base and has fielded grounders at shortstop in practice.
Acuña, a natural shortstop, moved over to third as he tries to prove his versatility.
De Los Santos, who has played just about everywhere in the minors, but shortstop the most often, got the start at short.
All fielded their positions without real incident. Acuña said he is still learning third base but felt comfortable, and Baty was appreciative that he was involved in a few relay plays that marked another box for him to check off.
“If I’m the utilityman, then that’d be awesome,” said Baty, who is having a strong spring and, after reaching base twice in three tries, has a .500 on-base percentage in the Grapefruit League. “Just any spot on this team to help the team win, I’m for.”
“I’m trying to prepare myself for what’s to come,” Acuña said through interpreter Alan Suriel when asked about cracking the roster as the utilityman. “Those are things that I don’t control, but I’m preparing every single day for that.”
The biggest question the Mets face in the competition is whether to potentially stunt the growth of a prospect by only playing him a few times a week in the majors.
Would Baty or Acuña be better served playing every day at Triple-A Syracuse or trying to figure out major league pitching while only receiving spot starts?
“We’ll find a way to get at-bats [for everyone] if we need to, when we have to make those decisions,” Mendoza said.
If the Mets decide Baty and Acuña need everyday time at a lower level, the door would swing open for Walton and De Los Santos.
Walton is a 30-year-old who has played with Seattle and San Francisco in a five-year career and has yet to hit (.532 OPS in 70 games).
He has a strong minor league track record, though, particularly at controlling the strike zone, and owns a .370 on-base percentage at Triple-A.
De Los Santos is a 26-year-old who has played 599 career minor league games and made his 13-game debut with the Blue Jays last season. His best ability is his defensive versatility.
“He’s a guy that’s got big league experience, power,” Mendoza said of De Los Santos. “He can play anywhere. … — even some first base, some second base. He’s a ballplayer. … This is a guy that’s pretty steady. Controls the strike zone.”
De Los Santos, Baty and Acuña can be optioned, while Walton cannot.
The Mets have resisted bringing back Jose Iglesias in part because the veteran, who is out of minor league options, would not allow them to manipulate the roster.
If, say, Baty wins the Opening Day job but Acuña excels with Syracuse and earns a promotion, the two can be flipped without exposing anyone to waivers.
