In designating veteran right-handed batter Darin Ruf for assignment on Monday, the Mets finalized a roster spot by deciding to move on from a failed attempt dating back to last year at improving their DH situation.
Instead of continuing to give Ruf a shot at redemption, the Mets opted to add outfielder Tim Locastro to their roster for Opening Day, a major-league source confirmed. The New York Post first reported the moves. Locastro adds a speed component to the roster that the Mets can make use of, given MLB’s new rules for bigger bases and limited pickoff attempts. By Sunday night, the Mets’ final bench spot dwindled to a choice between Locastro, who was not on the 40-man roster, and Ruf.
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Despite possibly needing to still pay Ruf, the Mets decided against carrying an underperforming player, a move consistent with the club’s calls on similar situations over the last couple years during Steve Cohen’s ownership.
If the Mets don’t trade Ruf within seven days and he passes through waivers successfully, he can sign with any club for the prorated big league minimum with New York paying the remainder of the $3.5 million owed to him.
Mets DFA’ed Darin Ruf, source confirms, as @Joelsherman1 first reported.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) March 27, 2023
The Mets revealed a willingness to pay that cost because Ruf didn’t show enough signs that he’d be able to turn things around. Before last year’s trade deadline, the Mets acquired Ruf from the Giants for J.D. Davis and pitching prospects Carson Seymour, Thomas Szapucki and Nick Zwack. At the time, New York believed, based on Ruf’s track record, that he’d help them against left-handed pitching and provide stability from the right side in its DH platoon. It never worked out that way.
In 74 plate appearances with the Mets, Ruf slashed just .152/.216/.197 with 20 strikeouts. He never hit a home run. Against lefties, Ruf produced just a .429 OPS.
The struggles befuddled Mets officials and rival evaluators. Throughout his career, Ruf, 36, had tormented lefties with a lifelong .891 OPS against them.
During spring training, more struggles followed for Ruf, who received a cortisone shot for his wrist in February. Ruf saw opportunities, but went 5-for-30 (.167 batting average) with nine strikeouts and two doubles, his only extra-base hits.
At DH, the Mets’ right-handed options include Tommy Pham and rotating the spot among regulars. Pham, whom the Mets signed to a one-year, $6 million in January, posted a respectable .784 OPS with six home runs in 154 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers last year. Over his career, Pham, 35, has an .843 OPS against lefties. From the left side to combat right-handers, Daniel Vogelbach remains entrenched at DH, with officials believing in his .845 OPS versus righties over the last two years (601 plate appearances).
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In choosing to add Locastro to the roster, the Mets added another backup option for center field. Locastro profiles as a below-average hitter (.656 career OPS), but he’s a capable defender at all three outfield spots with elite speed. In Grapefruit League action, Locastro went 13-for-45 (.289 batting average) with a home run and six HBPs. Also, he stole six bases without once getting caught. If Brandon Nimmo ever needs to miss time, New York’s list of alternatives mostly includes Locastro, Pham and Mark Canha. Without Ruf, who mostly played first base when he wasn’t at DH, the Mets’ backup options behind star Pete Alonso include Canha.
Prospects Brett Baty and Mark Vientos linger as enticing choices in the future to help at third base and DH, but both players were optioned to Triple A on Saturday. Catching prospect Francisco Álvarez, who was optioned last week, may also eventually help at DH.
In accepting failure with Ruf, the Mets again behaved like a team that places a high value on winning even if at a cost. Fans had already long grown impatient with Ruf’s struggles. In the past, the Mets acted similarly when they moved on from Robinson Canó and James McCann. Ahead of a pivotal season, the Mets, a team with baseball’s highest payroll and realistic desires of winning a World Series, decided Ruf’s time was up.
(Photo: Wendell Cruz / USA Today)
