VienoMcCunaBatyRicio

[Frayed Knot]

This is the thread I meant to start for a couple of weeks now figuring that this logjam of 2B/3B/DH (and even CF) types has got to be broken somehow.

And now the (not quite yet official) Nimmo deal kicks untangling this situation from top priority to double secret top priority.

So Semien is the starting 2B next year for sure and likely for a year or two beyond that. He's a superior glove and no one short of maybe Acuna has a shot at being even close to that. So what does all this mean?

- Bye Bye Baty?

While he's yet to hit consistently as a major leaguer, he is coming off an 829 OPS second half (4th in WAR in '25 behind only Soto, Lindor, Alonso), can play 2nd or 3rd reasonably well, and just turned 26 last week.

So that makes him potential trade bait, or maybe he moves to 3rd which could mean ...

- Vaya Con Dios Vientos?

The monster he was in the back half of 2024 simply never materialized this past year to the point where the kind of thunder he showed seems like a mirage in retrospect.

Clearly part of the Nimmo/Semien deal is to shore up the defense and keeping Vientos at 3rd doesn't really fit in with that scenario.

So does Baty move to 3rd while Vientos DHs? Does Vientos move to 1st if Pete leaves? Are they already resigned to Pete leaving?

Or do they deal the 26 y/o (next month) Vientos for pitching/OF with the idea that his power potential can bring back something positive?

- Mauricio/Acuna

Neither has proven they can consistently hit in the majors despite brief flashes of it. Either could also go to 3rd or stay on as utility players. And could either/or work as OF'ers?

Trading one or both brings you something less proven but if it brings back something at a position of need it may be worth that kind of challenge trade.

- McSquirrel

Is he the next vet to be dealt? Turns 34 y/o on opening week with two years left on his contract.

Good at times but often frustratingly inconsistent. Defensively versatile but more in a jack-of-all trades/master-of-none kind of way.

- Jett Williams/Carson Benge

Does this deal mean that the team is higher on one or both of these guys than they are on say Acuna/Mauricio?

Benge seems to have the better chance to make the team out of ST with Jett maybe a few months behind, but the baseball gods laugh at plans like that.

Anyway, something has to give to break the logjam among this crew. That was true yesterday and now it's even more true tonight.

[Centerfield]

I’m not so sure Semien will be starting as long as you suggest. I’m guessing he will be the 2B at the start of 2026, I can’t see him holding the job if he continues to struggle offensively and Jett/Ronny are forcing the issue.

I think Cohen decided that Semien is more likely to give value at age 35-37 than Nimmo, but if he doesn’t than he’s willing to eat 3 years.

[Frayed Knot]

Well then let's hope that Mauricio and Williams are forcing the issue in the near future ... cuz they sure haven't so far.

I'd be surprised if Semien isn't the main starting 2B-man for at least '26 & '27

[Edgy MD]

Luisangel just took a smashing pitch to the forearm in winter ball a couple of days ago. I do not know if he has been definitively diagnosed, but I think he hasn't played since.

[Gwreck]

I reject the idea that there is a logjam that needs to be imminently broken.

Of course, injuries can happen and more roster moves [CROSSOUT]may[/CROSSOUT] need to happen. As the roster stands, there is flexibility for the Mets to upgrade at any number of positions, with only catcher, second base, shortstop, and right field currently locked up.

The breakdown is pretty clear to me, ordered below in current likelihood that these players are on the 2026 Opening Day Roster:

1. Semien is going to be the everyday second baseman, full stop. He won the gold glove there last year (and in 2021). Stearns has been very clear that a defensive upgrade is desired. The idea that Semien’s contract is something the team will just “eat” is very strange to me. No, I don’t think his offensive production will be amazing but it’s pretty unlikely that he gets benched if his offense is close to what he did last year.

2 Baty is the starting everyday third baseman. He’s easily the best defensive option there (again, a Stearns priority) and he hit well enough to get first crack at the job in 2026.

3. McNeil can competently play five positions and is signed for only one more year. There is no need whatsoever to trade him and he’s an extremely useful bench piece if he doesn’t have a starting role. (Also: at least for now, there are two outfield spots open).

4. Vientos is also currently on the opening day roster, with playing time to come from a mix of starts at DH, and the occasional start at third (probably against a tough lefty). He might be a backup option for first base but if he’s a primary option there, something has gone wrong. His hold on the spot is much more tenuous if the Mets were to sign a full time DH (such as a Kyle Schwarber).

5. Acuna is clearly not going to start. He’s got an inside track on a bench spot, but is less essential from a defensive standpoint if Semien and Baty are everyday starters.

6. Mauricio is starting the year in AAA. This was telegraphed when the Mets kept him on the major league roster through the end of the last season in order to preserve an additional option year. Also, he’s clearly behind others and not ready to play regularly in the majors.

7. If Jett Williams makes the team, it’ll be to play centerfield and not to start as an infielder.

With 13 hitters, your current roster is:

-8 starters in the field (with several of those players TBD)

-Bench/DH options of Torrens, McNeil, Vientos, Acuna, and Taylor.

[ashie62]

I'm hoping Vientos is not our full-time 1B

[Cowtipper]

I would say Mark is Vientoast if the Mets are already pulling off trades like the Nimmo one. Alvarez is young enough to still give time to, Baty way leapfrogged Vientos, Mauricio gives me potential supersub vibes and Acuna is also young enough to keep trying. Now this is my off-season optimism kicking in and when reality hits during the regular season I'll be much more pessimistic.