Mets' infield is in flux. Here's where it stands
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComoThis story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo¡¯s Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Considering both the short- and long-term implications, there is no more intriguing segment of the Mets¡¯ roster than their infield. Pete Alonso may be back, but for how long? Mark Vientos is ascending to stardom, but can he complete that journey? Jeff McNeil will miss Opening Day due to injury and won¡¯t be under team control for too much longer.
On top of all that, many of the Mets¡¯ most exciting young prospects happen to be infielders.
Here¡¯s the organizational situation at a glance:
On the 40-man roster: Luisangel Acu?a, Alonso, Brett Baty, Francisco Lindor, Ronny Mauricio, McNeil, Vientos, Jared Young
On to 60-day injured list: Nick Madrigal
Notable departures: Jose Iglesias
Non-roster invitees: Luis De Los Santos, Joey Meneses, Donovan Walton
The starters: Let¡¯s get the obvious thing out of the way first: Lindor remains a rock at shortstop and should continue to start there for years to come. He¡¯s still very much in the thick of his prime. To Lindor¡¯s right, Vientos has a chance to be the same type of player at third base, though he must prove he can do it over a full season -- this time with the rest of the league well aware of his abilities.
Things are more complicated at the other two spots. Yes, Alonso and McNeil are the unquestioned starters at first and second base. But Alonso can opt out of his $54 million contract after this season, potentially freeing the Mets to move on from him, as they almost did this winter.
McNeil, meanwhile, will miss Opening Day due to a right oblique strain. While he should be back at some point in April, his absence will open the door for Baty, Acu?a and others to prove themselves on a short-term basis. A hot few weeks for someone like Baty could tempt the Mets into giving him more of a full-time role at the position.
The backups: Considering Lindor and Alonso tend to play nearly every inning of every game, there won¡¯t be much room for others at those positions. Third base is different given Vientos¡¯ defensive limitations. The Mets may regularly sub him out of games late, plugging someone else -- whichever of Acu?a, De Los Santos or Walton makes the team -- in for an inning or two. Those three are also options at second base.
With Iglesias gone to San Diego and Madrigal out for the season, the Mets have a difficult decision to make on their bench. Realistically, they are unlikely to hand the keys to second base to any one player in McNeil¡¯s absence. Assuming Baty makes the team, he¡¯ll probably share time with Acu?a, De Los Santos or Walton.
Any competition?
Not at first base, third base or shortstop, but plenty at second -- especially for as long as McNeil is sidelined. Even after McNeil returns, he could face competition from Baty, Acu?a or Mauricio, the latter of whom is finally healthy following more than a year of right knee issues.
What about the future?
The Mets are only really set at shortstop for the foreseeable future.
At first base, Alonso could sign a long-term extension or leave town after this season. In the latter case, impending free agent Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would become a prime option to join the Mets on a big-money deal. The Mets could also shift Vientos to first if he doesn¡¯t prove defensively sound at third. Or they could hand the keys to the position to Clifford, assuming he develops quickly enough to warrant such responsibility.
At second base, McNeil is under contract through 2026 and faces significant competition to remain the starter even within that time frame. In addition to Baty, who¡¯s been working out regularly at second, Mauricio and Acu?a are legitimate long-term options. So is Williams, though he¡¯s a natural shortstop who¡¯s versatile enough to play center field as well. With a solid 2025 campaign, any one of them could become the starter in ¡¯26.
Finally, at third base, much will depend upon Vientos ¡ and by extension, upon Alonso. There¡¯s a chance Vientos will remain the starting third baseman for many years to come. There¡¯s also a chance he takes a step backward or moves to first base, which would open third for the same cast of characters listed above.