Marcus Semien Sucks

[Centerfield]

8 hours ago, Gwreck said:

There’s a good chance that Polanco is the starting/primary DH.  Unless they try to have him play first again.

It would be a mistake to count on Polanco for any starting role. This team was 23rd in OPS. They need significant improvement. 
 

If Bichette opts in, they are locked in at 6 positions. That only leaves 3 spots to improve the lineup. And they’ll likely leave one of those spots for a kid to step up. 

[Benjamin Grimm]

They have several potential rookie replacements for Semien. I think he'll be gone from the organization before Opening Day, whenever that might be.

I don't see them doubling down on Polanco. They'll import someone to play first base.

[Gwreck]

7 minutes ago, Centerfield said:

It would be a mistake to count on Polanco for any starting role. This team was 23rd in OPS. They need significant improvement. 
 

If Bichette opts in, they are locked in at 6 positions. That only leaves 3 spots to improve the lineup. And they’ll likely leave one of those spots for a kid to step up. 

Polanco is very differently situated in my view.  He barely played and when he did he was hurt.  Not really a meaningful baseline.  And, as long as he’s (more) healthy, he’s likely to produce something that’s an already huge upgrade over his 2026 production.  

Do I want the Mets to massively upgrade at first, second, and DH/LF?  Of course.  But DH is going to be the lowest priority on that list and they also have to sign Skubal and eat Semien’s money.  At some point there is a limit to what they are going to do.

Polanco’s “spot” also strikes me as the one that can most easily be freed up should a prospect force their way onto the big league roster in 2027.  Assuming (or holding) a starting spot for a prospect is folly.

[ashie62]

22 hours ago, Frayed Knot said:

Yes. Treat WAR as a piece of the argument not the end of it.

 

22 hours ago, Frayed Knot said:

Yes. Treat WAR as a piece of the argument not the end of it.

I thought it was an interesting comparison. I would have guessed Vientos was far ahead

I agree WAR is one tool in making an argument 

[ashie62]

12 hours ago, Gwreck said:

Polanco is very differently situated in my view.  He barely played and when he did he was hurt.  Not really a meaningful baseline.  And, as long as he’s (more) healthy, he’s likely to produce something that’s an already huge upgrade over his 2026 production.  

Do I want the Mets to massively upgrade at first, second, and DH/LF?  Of course.  But DH is going to be the lowest priority on that list and they also have to sign Skubal and eat Semien’s money.  At some point there is a limit to what they are going to do.

Polanco’s “spot” also strikes me as the one that can most easily be freed up should a prospect force their way onto the big league roster in 2027.  Assuming (or holding) a starting spot for a prospect is folly.

I don't know if I agree that the Mets want to massively upgrade first and second. If I had to guess now the opening day starters will be Jared Young at 1B, if healthy and Emilien Pitre at 2B

I already can hear a fan saying "Ya know Benge didn't have much time at AAA and it worked out" about Pitre

[Edgy MD]

Well, let's not let a fan using that logic manage the team.

[Gwreck]

I guess anything’s possible.  

BUT:

1. I believe the Mets intend to improve the team for 2027.  There’s no reason to suspect otherwise.  

2. Improving the team requires improving the offense.  (Which means personnel changes.  No one seriously thinks they’re running back the same roster of offensive players and just hoping everyone plays better).

3. First Base and Second Base are the two positions at which the Mets performed the worst relative to other teams and thus are the two positions most likely to get personnel changes.  

No one really thinks Soto, Lindor, Benge or Ewing are going anywhere.  If Bichette stays, there’s not many places left to make a change.
 

[MFS62]

9 hours ago, Gwreck said:

 (Which means personnel changes.  
 

They just reassigned the organization hitting coordinator and quality control coordinator (whatever that is) . That's a start.

Later

[Edgy MD]

23 hours ago, Gwreck said:

Polanco’s “spot” also strikes me as the one that can most easily be freed up should a prospect force their way onto the big league roster in 2027.  Assuming (or holding) a starting spot for a prospect is folly.

I am also about the notion of keeping declining vets around and forcing young players to take their jobs.

[metsmarathon]

i'm ok with jared young being a part of the 1b/dh solution.  especially if that is an explicit alternative to jorge polanco.