Mets Have Major Defensive Questions To Answer Heading Into 2027

After a season in which several of the New York Mets’ main expectations have resulted in failure, the organization will have to resolve many questions heading into 2027. Some of the most important problems are not about reconfiguring the pitching rotation and finding the best offensive options, though. Throughout the year, defense has been one of the team’s weakest points.

This year, the Mets have been close to finishing with their second consecutive season registering a negative FRV. The drop from 2024 to 2026 has been very significant, and they are about to close this campaign with the worst range mark (-18) among their infield and outfield players.

Let’s start with the best part, which has been the catching position with the great work of Luis Torrens and, although to a lesser extent, Francisco Álvarez, who has played above average. Torrens is also among the best catchers in MLB, ranking ninth in Catcher Framing Runs (+5), Blocks Above Average (+6), and 12th in Catcher’s CS Above Average (+3).

However, the additions of Bo Bichette at third base, Marcus Semien at second, and Jorge Polanco’s short time at first base were a failure. A difficult season could have been expected from Bichette, given his adjustment to a position change to third base. But Semien was coming off a +8 FRV season with the Texas Rangers and winning a Gold Glove. As the metrics show, he has been the Mets’ worst defender all season, far behind the contributions of Jeff McNeil (+2) in 2025.

Regarding Bichette, I don’t think we should be that surprised given his history as a shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays. His –1 FRV does not look that bad if we compare it with his entire defensive history, and we have to keep in mind that it combines all of Bichette’s work this year. We cannot forget that his playing time has been divided into 893 innings as a third baseman and 391 at shortstop, when Francisco Lindor was on the injured list. So, in what was supposed to be his full-time position this year, Bichette was much better, recording a +1 FRV at the hot corner, far better than his mark of –2 at shortstop.

Lindor, after his return, has been an average player, falling below the value he usually provides. The infield problems are completed by a long list of experiments at first base, where Mark Vientos (-7) was as deficient as Pete Alonso (-7) was last year. Jared Young and even Luis Torrens have provided better value in the short time they played at first. Likewise, Young and Brett Baty have added defensive depth by playing several positions.

Entering the outfield analysis, I wonder where the Mets would be without Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, who have worked wonders defensively in addition to saving multiple plays with the strength of their arms. Benge’s arm is among the best of all right fielders in the league, while Ewing has impressed with his range. In contrast, in his return to left field, Juan Soto has been a defensive weakness (-5 FRV). Still, his presence on that side of the grass has cost the Mets fewer runs compared to his previous season in right field, when he finished with –13 FRV.

I still believe that if Soto manages to stay healthy and works with the consistency that characterizes him, perhaps he can improve his defense a little more in his second year back at his old position. But, as we have seen here, the Mets have many questions to answer about how they are going to improve the team at several key positions, especially with the different defensive problems of Bichette, Semien and Polanco, three of their infield starters.

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