How Much Rope Should the Mets Give Darin Ruf in 2023?

The 36-year-old struggled after being acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline in 2022, and is 3-for-20 so far this spring.

When the Mets acquired Darin Ruf to be one half of their designated hitter platoon at the trade deadline in 2022, the idea made sense.

Having Ruf, 36, face southpaws and Daniel Vogelbach hit right-handers would maximize production from both sides of the dish.

For Ruf, however, he didn't quite produce as intended.

In 29 games after the trade, the Nebraska native was worth -0.9 fWAR and had a dismal .152/.216/.197 triple slash with zero home runs.

Ruf came with a year of control beyond 2022 at roughly $3 million as well as a club option for 2024, so it made sense to bring him to camp to see if he could bounce back.

It didn't start off great for Ruf this spring, who received a cortisone shot in his wrist to treat arthritis in February.

Since hitting the playing field, he has gone just 3-for-20 this spring and has struck out six times.

This begs the question: how long do the Mets hang on to Ruf before they decided to cut ties with the eight-year MLB veteran?

New York was faced with a similar situation early in 2022 when they had to see what they had in infielder Robinson Canó.

The team gave him an opportunity to prove himself during the first month of the campaign, but when he hit under the Mendoza line in 12 games, the Mets cut him and ate the $20+ million he was still owed.

Ruf could see a fate like that of Canó if his struggles bleed into the season. Only this time, absorbing the money he is owed should be an easier pill to swallow as he is making far less than what was owed to Canó.

The Mets also have other options that could face left-handed pitchers out of the DH slot. 

Eduardo Escobar may get an opportunity to do so as it looks like third baseman Brett Baty is ready to take the reigns full time.

Mark Vientos could be another option for New York, and while he hasn't exactly set the world ablaze this spring, he does pack a punch and will run into some baseballs at the dish.

Regardless, it's do or die time for Ruf and the clock is ticking.

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