Mets DFA Darin Ruff, Promote Locastro

It was really no surprise that the Mets designated outfielder Darin Ruff for assignment on Monday. Ever since the Mets acquired him from the San Francisco Giants for J.D. Davis and prospects, Ruff never got comfortable in New York.

He hit only .152 in 29 games with no homers and seven RBI. In spring Training this year, things didn't get better for Ruf, who hit only .167.

Brett Baty, Getty Images

The Mets had to cut him. Even General Manager Billy Eppler admitted it was a deal that just didn't work out.

In response the Mets promoted Timothy Locastro to the Big League's. He did well in Spring Training, but make no mistake, this is not a power bat. Locastro has only seven homers in 247 games.

The Mets decision making has made many wonder why the team won't promote Brett Baty or Matt Vientos to the Big League club. The Yankees already promoted their young phenom Anthony Volpe. What about the Mets?

Look at the numbers and both Baty and Vientos deserve to be on the team. Vientos drove in 11 and hit .278 this spring with a pair of homers. Baty hit .375 with six RBI and a home run.

Both are 23 years-old. Both deserve a shot.

But the Mets under Buck Schowalter and Billy Eppler like going with the old guys. Eduardo Escobar struggled almost the entire season until he heated up in September and hit .340. The Mets are betting that the 34-year old Escobar can recapture that magic from September, but that could be asking a lot of an aging player.

The corner outfield slots have questions, namely Starling Marte's heath, which has been a topic since the end of last season. Mark Canha is good, but unspectacular in left. Vientos would be a perfect guy in the corner outfield slots, but the Mets, again want to rely on the vets -- for now.

It's not the worst strategy. At the very least Baty and Vientos get needed at bats in Triple A rather than being part time platoon players. Plus the Mets have commitments in contracts they have to honor to its aging players.

But the facts are this: the Mets have some young stars coming up, and it is long over due that they give them a shot. At somepoint this year, the Mets are going to be forced to turn the page and do so.

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