BVW considers all ‘options’ in constant roster shuffle

The discussion is constant between general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and his top lieutenants.

How can they best maximize the Mets’ 25-man roster?

It’s a topic that came into focus in recent days as the club began utilizing reinforcements from Triple-A Syracuse, with a constant tug-of-war over whether the Mets are best served carrying their extra depth in the bullpen or on the bench.

“I have been consistent in saying we are here to win games and we want to put the best mix of guys on the field at the same time, and we’re constantly evaluating that every day,” Van Wagenen said. “The last few days we have had to make a number of transactions of sending pitchers down, calling pitchers up and we’ll have to continue to evolve as the season goes on based on our need.”

Only adding to the calculus is the limited number of players with minor league options, particularly in the bullpen. If the Mets carry seven relievers, generally only one will have minor league options. If they carry eight relievers, two will have options.

Corey Oswalt, Paul Sewald and Drew Gagnon were part of that recent bullpen shuffle as starting pitchers have struggled, increasing the dependency on relievers.

“It just kind of stinks that a guy can come up and pitch real good and, since we don’t have a lot of optional guys, he might be the one that has to go out,” manager Mickey Callaway said, noting that Gagnon returned to Syracuse a day after giving the Mets a solid relief appearance. “Sometimes when things aren’t going good and you get a guy and call him up and he pitches well you might want him to stay and start pitching more meaningful innings, but since we have got only one optional spot in the pen that makes it tough.”

To add an extra reliever this week, Luis Guillorme was optioned to Syracuse, leaving the Mets without a true backup shortstop — Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis can play there in an emergency. But with Todd Frazier expected to soon rejoin the team after a minor league rehab assignment, another decision will loom

Van Wagenen, in his first season working in baseball operations after a long career as an agent, certainly isn’t working solo on such decisions. Van Wagenen mentioned assistant GMs Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge, special assistants Omar Minaya and Ruben Amaro, director of player development Jared Banner and team vice president John Ricco among those whose counsel he seeks.

“We all go through these scenarios and make sure we have the proper evaluation of our talent and then we could have a good sense of what the right guys are,” Van Wagenen said.

Callaway appreciates the fact he hasn’t had to ask Van Wagenen for anything. By the time the Mets come off the field after a game, the GM can usually sense if a roster change is needed.

Van Wagenen traveled to the Mets’ first four road series and has indicated he will be on the vast majority of trips this season. It’s a change from last season, when GM Sandy Alderson — who had serious health issues to address (he stepped aside in June, citing his recurring cancer) — was often absent from road trips. Ricco filled in occasionally, but there were several road games that didn’t include a top front-office executive.

“Brodie is here every day and it’s very easy because of the presence,” Callaway said. “We’re always on the same page about everything and it kind of flows easy because he understands exactly what we’re trying to do during the game, and when things go wrong he knows what we need for the next time.”