Mets will survive Jenrry Mejia’s banishment from MLB

(AP) The baseball world was stunned Friday by the news that Jenrry Mejia had tested positive for PEDs for a third time, resulting in a permanent suspension from the league.

Mejia earned the dubious distinction as the first player to receive a lifetime ban under MLB’s “three strikes and you’re out” PED policy. He’s also sure to earn ridicule from his peers who attempted to support him throughout his ordeal, and from fans who simply can’t comprehend the choices he’s apparently made.

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Mejia’s career unraveled quickly. At this point last year he was penciled in as the New York Mets closer following a strong showing to end the 2014 campaign. Now he’s out of baseball all together, and the Mets will have to make plans without him.

Fortunately, that shouldn’t be a huge issue. Though they seemed ready to welcome him back after agreeing to a one-year, $2.47 million deal in arbitration, they also knew he wouldn’t be available until just around the 2016 trade deadline. That’s because Mejia was still serving his 162 game suspension for his second positive test when the third positive took place.

The Mets weren’t counting on him anytime soon, and they certainly didn’t need him last season on their road to the World Series. His ban just ensures the spotlight will remain on the players they could count on last season, and the players who will be ready to battle on opening day. Guys like Jeurys Familia, who took over and absolutely owned the closer’s role in Mejia’s absence.

In many ways, it’s addition by subtraction, even if Mejia’s talent made him one of baseball’s top relievers. There will be no distractions that linger beyond the first few days of spring training, because there will be no questions to ask regarding Mejia’s future in baseball. He has none, and certainly not with the Mets.

It also eliminates the potential dark cloud that would have hovered over Citi Field upon his return. The uncomfortable relationship with his teammates and the fans would have been a major topic as he set foot back in the clubhouse. The possibility that he could fail that third test at anytime down the stretch, leaving the Mets in a bind, would have weighed heavily as well. Now he’ll long be an afterthought by late summer, and the Mets will have completely moved on.

[Tim Brown: Jenrry Mejia a major leaguer at 20, banned for life at 26]

The Mets figure to have a deep bullpen as well, health permitting. Familia is locked into the closer’s role. Addison Reed brings closer’s experience to the table too, though he’s been a little inconsistent in recent years. Jerry Blevins had a lost season in 2015, but now he’s back. They’ve added Antonio Bastardo to the mix as well and expect continued improvement from Rafael Montero.

It’s a good group, and there’s a wild card in the mix too named Bartolo Colon. The veteran right-hander will start the season in the rotation, but could move to the bullpen once Zack Wheeler returns from Tommy John surgery. Colon has minimal experience pitching in relief, but he’ s a workhorse who seems capable of making the transition.

A lot can change between now and April, let alone now and August, but the Mets should be able to withstand the loss of Jenrry Mejia as they look to make a World Series championship run. And to be completely honest, it’s easy to see the many ways they will be better off without him.

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