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These are "The Mets most adversely affected by a shortened season" according to a newspaper that is behind a paywall. I give you the gist:
RHP Jacob deGrom:
First, in the near-term, money matters: Because he has an opt-out clause in his contract for after this season, deGrom might be a free agent come November.
But before he decides to hit the open market for the first time, he’ll want to prove he is healthy and durable by pitching a (mostly?) full season. Those red flags from last year, when he missed the entire second half because of a series of arm injuries, won't just disappear.
Second, in a bigger-picture way, legacy implications: What about his eventual Hall of Fame case? DeGrom already has missed so much of his early 30s — his 2020-21 combine for less than one full season — that his potential Hall of Fame track has taken a hit.
OF Brandon Nimmo:
A free agent next offseason, Nimmo could be in line for a nine-figure contract — but he needs to show he can stay on the field first. And staying on the field is difficult if nobody is allowed on the field.
1B Pete Alonso:
Remember when then-general manager Brodie Van Wagenen did the right thing by putting Alonso on the Opening Day roster in 2019, ensuring that his service time was not manipulated and that he would be a free agent after six seasons instead of seven? That might’ve been for nothing.
If another nine days of season — 16 total — are canceled, Alonso would be at risk of having his free agency delayed a year until after the 2025 season.
RHP Carlos Carrasco:
This is the last guaranteed year on Carrasco’s contract, but he has a vesting option for 2023. If he throws 170 innings in ‘22 and is expected to be healthy entering ‘23, he’ll be due $14 million that year.
Already, 170 innings will be a tough milestone to reach.
2B Robinson Cano:
When you are away from the majors for 18 months, maybe stretching it to 19 months or 20 months doesn’t make a difference.
But Cano, who was suspended last year because he tested positive for a steroid, has been gone for a long time that is only getting longer. And his remaining ability at the plate and in the field is a major question. A shortened spring training — the usual six or seven weeks will be cut in half — won’t help his reacclimation. His mediocre performance in the Dominican Winter League didn’t inspire confidence, either.
3B/LF Mark Vientos and SS Ronny Mauricio:
These are two of the Mets’ top four prospects, but they were added to the 40-man roster in November to protect them from the Rule 5 draft
Because they are on the 40-man roster, they are not allowed to attend minor-league spring training, which is happening as scheduled, or play in minor-league games, which will begin in early April, until the lockout is over. That means crucial missed development time for the second time in three years after the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor-league season.
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- Bru
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