Who's on First

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Vientos has an OPS+ of 85 and is OBPing at .267. He possesses RH power and we need some of that. Gradually become an OK defender. But as noted in the game thread, we're over him.

Jared Young looks better to me as a guy but small sample--he's second on the team in OPS+! -- and would need to shake the reserve label. Competent with the glove I think.

Polanco is a switch hitter with a good track record but not sure if you want him and his achilles at first base

Ryan Clifford-- Legit LH hitting slugger but 75 Ks in 184 ABs in Syracuse. ow

Maybe Tauchmann? If he can answer the bell this year

Who's on first?

[Edgy MD]

I think it's going to be all of the above until somebody steps forward.  It's also going to include a big chunk o' Baty after Lindor returns.

In the short term, it's probably going to be largely Baty and Vientos while Polanco tries to stay healthy enough to even DH.   With extra bits of Young, Melendez, Waggy, until Clifford breaks through.

Tauchman is pretty close to urban myth status, but it would be lovely to be surprised by an appearance.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I think it would be interesting to see Mendy bang a fist on his desk and insist Young is an everyday major leaguer

[seawolf17]

Clifford. Yeah, strikeouts, but that's MLB these days. His .749 OPS would be the best on this team other than Soto, and by a lot. And yeah, I know, regression with the level jump. Who cares? We literally can't be any worse than we are right now.

(Is it too late to apologize to Pete?)

[Centerfield]

I guess Young for now, Clifford eventually. 
 

Clifford is striking out nearly 40% at AAA. I have little confidence he can stick as a legitimate big leaguer. 
 

This may be a question mark for a while. If you look at this upcoming free agent class, there’s nothing there. 

[Edgy MD]

There's always someone out there.  Especially since first base is a position everybody gravitates toward.  The next firstbaseman might currently be playing left field someplace.  Or catcher.  Or third.

And the trade market is always there.  The Astros may want to get out from under Christian Walker's contract.

But I don't think the Mets have closed the door on Vientos yet.

[The Hot Corner]

I would go with a platoon of Jared Young vs RHP and Vientos vs. LHP at least until either Polanco returns.  It is sink or swim time for Vientos. 

Clifford needs to put the ball in play more.  Striking out 40% of the time (at AAA no less) isn't going to cut it.  A Rob Deer/Joey Gallo type hitter isn't going to do much to turn this team around.  The Mets already have far to many hitters that are struggling to hit .225 or better.

 

[Edgy MD]

Meanwhile in Binghamton, Chris Suero is trying to get above .180.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

It's insane that the biggest need this team has is a right-handed slugger who can play first base