New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto.Michael Ivins/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
It's crunch time in camps across the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues. Opening Day is rapidly approaching, which means tough roster decisions must be made.
The New York Mets, playoff hopefuls in the National League East, are no exception. While their roster isn't as unsettled as some, the Amazin's have a few key position skirmishes to sort out before the games begin to count.
Let's examine them and offer predictions based on stats, the latest rumblings and a dollop of old-fashioned gut feeling.
Fifth Starter
The battle for the fifth-starter job behind Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Steven Matz comes down to Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo, with Zack Wheeler tossed in as a wild card.