The Lineup

[Centerfield]

With the Robert trade and Bellinger returning to the Yankees, it's likely that the Mets are done adding significant position players. Will Sammon has an article suggesting as much even before the Bellinger signing. I do think they need to fill out the bench a bit, unless I'm forgetting someone.

1. Lindor - SS

2. Soto - RF

3. Bichette - 3B

4. Polanco - 1B

5. Baty - LF

6. Alvarez - C

7. Vientos - DH

8. Robert - CF

9. Semien - 2B

Bench: Mauricio, Taylor, Torrens

Potential Rookies: Jett Williams, Carson Benge, Ryan Clifford

What do we think? It's certainly different from last year. I feel like 1-4 isn't as strong as last year. 5-9 are all question marks. All of them could post an OPS of anywhere from .650 to .850.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I really like the top three. After that, as you say, it's anybody's guess. It could be very strong, or pretty weak. Of course, there will be adjustments as the season progresses. Adding Bichette helps a lot, but I'm still not terribly optimistic at this point.

[Edgy MD]

I do not know who the opening day leftfielder will be, but I don't think it will be Baty.

[Benjamin Grimm]

At this point, I think it will be either Taylor or Baty, depending on how spring training plays out.

[Edgy MD]

Have the Mets spoken to the notion of Baty in the outfield, now that the Bichette deal is official?

[DocTee]

With Acuna gone I think they give one of the bench roles to a speedster as opposed to say, Jared Young. Was it Nick Morabito who has the best wheels in the system? Or am I conflating him with someone else?

[Edgy MD]

So, that's a no on the question of anybody reading anything about the Mets' intent to use Baty in the outfield?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I found this on the Metsmerized Online site. The quote is from over a year ago.

 

As part of an SNY interview during the 2024 Winter Meetings, David Stearns touched on Baty’s defensive versatility, saying, “Brett did a great job last year of creating some positional versatility for himself. We feel comfortable with him at second base. I think he has the ability to flex into the outfield if we need him to do that.”

 

https://metsmerizedonline.com/can-brett-baty-play-left-field/

[Edgy MD]

FLEXING INTO THE OUTFIELD

===The Brett Baty Story===

[MFS62]

He plays the infield.

He plays the outfield.

He'll do whatever it takes to win.

The kid's a gamer, I tell ya'.

A gamer!

Later

[Gwreck]

Couple of thoughts:

I’d be substantially more excited with this lineup if Pete Alonso was at first and Polanco at DH. As constructed, it feels like the team is short one impact bat.

I suppose Vientos playing like he did in the second half of 2024, or Robert playing like he did in 2023, or Semien finding the fountain of youth and playing like he did 3 years ago, or Alvarez breaking out for a full year and staying healthy could happen. As it stands, this looks like a lineup for an 85 win team.

I could see Baty hitting sixth to break up the string of righties at the end. I also think Semien will hit higher in the lineup than Robert.

Baty in left seems much more likely than Polanco in left but neither option is appealing at all. If Benge isn’t ready, then maybe another lefty bat is an option (Mike Tauchman as a free agent?). Jared Young may be a nice guy but should be DFAed.

I guess Mauricio may make the roster but it’s hard to see much playing time for him without (a) Baty and Vientos being bad or ( injuries.

[Edgy MD]

Jared Young may have scant MLB track record, but he is a professional hitter, with options, that plays all over the field. You may not want to need him, but you will need him some time or another in a given season. You dump him, and you are looking for someone just like him the next day.

LONG LIVE JARED!

(That said, his 40-man roster spot is probably not the most secure thing in the world.)

[Gwreck]

If Benge isn’t ready, then maybe another lefty bat is an option (Mike Tauchman as a free agent?).

 

Mets signed Tauchman today. Glad to see Stearns is here taking suggestions.