Why Do the Mets Seem to Value Depth Over Ability and the Long Term?

All spring we've been hearing about the bench battles, and bullpen battles,  and how they will affect the Mets opening day roster.  Through all of this talk, one thing has become clear...

The Mets seem to value depth over ability and the long term.

The team seems willing to start the season with Mejia on the opening day roster, which makes little sense when considering the future of Jenrry Mejia himself.  If his stuff is so good, and top-of-the-rotation starters are so hard to find, then why is the team "starting the clock" on him and at the same time slowing his development as a starter, by putting him in the bullpen.  It seems counter-productive in the long-term...

Another player the Mets seem content on starting the clock early for is Ruben Tejada.  He's a guy who despite Jose Reyes' projected return 5 games into the season, is also strongly being considered for the opening day roster..WHY?  He'll just be sent down after a week.  Is it worth it?  Why not just bring up Russ Adams for a week and then pass him through waivers then?  Isn't Tejada's future worth more than Russ Adam's present?

At the same time, the Mets seem unwilling to keep "depth guys" off of the opening day roster, due to a fear of them not clearing waivers, or accepting minor league assignment.  These players include guys like Nieve, Figueroa, Mike Jacobs (before the Murphy injury) and Frank Catalanotto.  But then again, when it comes to Chris Carter, the Mets seem more wiling to let the guy go to Triple-A despite him being one of the best hitters this spring just because he has an option left.  It seems like him having an option trumps his ability to help the team.  Another mind-boggling concept.  I thought you want to put your best team out there, while protecting your future.  I guess I was wrong...

Overall, I think the thing I'm most confused about is how the team can reconcile the idea of starting some young players on the opening day roster when it doesn't make sense, and potentially putting veterans on who haven't earned it.  It seems like the logic isn't all there. 

Why should the Mets protect marginal players from waivers, while wasting options on their young players to fill temporary roster spots?  I don't get it.

I understand last year's lack of depth was a killer.  But I think last year was the exception not the rule.  And although it's great to be prepared, and have depth, it should not come at the expense of putting the best product on the field for opening day, and for the next couple opening days to come...