NEW YORK — There is a decent chance the New York Mets’ group of position players next season looks similar to this year’s bunch with some tweaks.

At first base and second base, the Mets could create competitions, which might help them become less reliant on one or two players at each position.

A lot of time remains before they must make such roster decisions. New York will spend the final six weeks of the season, in part, evaluating its internal options. Aside from third baseman Bo Bichette’s decision about whether to opt out after this season, the Mets’ position-player group doesn’t spark many questions.

One major concern, though, is what they do with the right side of their infield, which could affect Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco and Jared Young, among others.

“My goal is always to play every day,” Semien said. “I want to be playing well enough for them to want to play me every single day. I understand that they want to keep me fresh, keep me healthy and keep my performance at a high level. I’m so competitive with myself to want to play every day and play at a high level that it’s always going to be my goal.”

The failures of Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns’ major offseason shakeup are felt most acutely at first base and second base. Stearns traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo for Semien, who replaced Jeff McNeil at second base, and signed Polanco to split time at designated hitter and first base as Pete Alonso’s replacement. Neither decision has worked out in 2026.

The Mets’ production at second base is the worst in the major leagues (-0.2 fWAR). The Mets’ production at first base is the second worst in the major leagues (-1.2 fWAR).

Semien, 35, has two years left on his seven-year, $175 million contract, while Polanco, 33, is signed through just next season after inking a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason.

For the 2027 plan, the Mets might already be tipping their hand. Semien said that when he came off the injured list last month, Mets officials talked with him about sometimes other players starting at second base. At first base during the second half, the Mets have mostly started Young, who has played well. Polanco, who has battled an Achilles tendon issue all season, hasn’t played first base since the season’s opening series. This month, catcher Francisco Alvarez has logged almost as many starts at designated hitter (four) as Polanco (six).

The Mets could end up leaning on similar timeshares heading into next season, perhaps with an addition or two at second base and/or first base who helps in the margins.

At first base, it wouldn’t be too wild to think the Mets sport a platoon featuring Young, a left-handed batter who holds a .799 OPS against right-handed pitchers (.579 against lefties).

While Brett Baty, a left-handed batter, has drawn a handful of starts at second base the last few weeks over the right-handed-batting Semien, the Mets also boast a couple of infielders among their top prospects in the upper minor leagues.

It’s one potential path, considering their players under team control and a relatively weak free-agent class. If the Mets want to further splurge in free agency, third baseman/outfielder Teruaki Sato, 27, could be an option if he decides to leave Japan (a possible lockout may complicate matters). Perhaps the trade market contains more creative approaches.

In the meantime, over the Mets’ final 39 games, the performances of Semien, Polanco and Young bear watching. Since returning from the injured list July 7, Polanco, who hasn’t played since Tuesday, is slashing just .103/.153/.176 (73 plate appearances), appearing only at designated hitter. Semien said he is running at 100 percent after dealing with a hip injury, but his defensive numbers have dipped drastically, and he owns a .626 OPS, fifth-worst in the majors (Baty’s .612 OPS is third-worst). After starting 20 of the Mets’ last 26 games, Young carries an .845 OPS in the second half.

What the Mets learned at those positions in 2026 is the danger of counting on one player — aside from All-Star-level contributors — when faced with underperformance or injury.

In the women’s race walking, Sofia Fiorini of Italy smashes the marathon world record by more than nine minutes, with Maria Perez of Spain also setting a world record in the half-marathon, at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

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First Test, Darwin (day three of five)

Australia 198: (Smith 71; Mahmud 6-55) and 161-4 (Green 43*; Mahmud 2-33)

Bangladesh 426: (Tanzid 101, Shanto 84, Miraz 65; Hazlewood 6-89)

Australia trail by 67 runs with 6 wickets remaining

Scorecard

Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz took the crucial wicket of Steve Smith as Bangladesh moved closer to a historic first Test victory in Australia on day three in Darwin.

Smith, so often Australia’s talisman, chipped a leading edge straight back to the off-spinner to depart for 44 and leave his side 122-4 in their second innings.

Australia safely batted out the rest of the session but they face a tough task to save the match after closing on 161-4, still 67 runs behind Bangladesh’s first innings total.

Their hopes of saving the first Test rest in the hands of Cameron Green, who remained unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey, on 19.

Earlier Bangladesh added 75 to their overnight score of 351-6, with Miraz scoring 65 and Josh Hazlewood claiming 6-89 to claim his 300th Test wicket.

Miraz guided the tail superbly for his 65 from 154 balls as the Bangladesh lower order frustrated Australia’s tiring bowling attack.

“The way we showed character and played the last two, three days I think is outstanding. So, really happy to see them play like this,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said.

After being dismissed for 426 shortly after lunch, Bangladesh seamer Hasan Mahmud stunned the hosts when he claimed both openers cheaply.

The 26-year-old, who took a career-best 6-55 in the first innings, bowled Jake Weatherald for 0 and Travis Head for 17 as both players chopped on to their stumps.

Marnus Labuschagne and Smith steadied the ship, before the former was bowled by Taijul Islam for 31.

Smith batted sensibly for his 44 off 88 balls but his wicket left Bangladesh confident of victory as they roared in triumph on the Marrara Oval pitch.

All-rounder Green’s place in the side had been questioned prior to the series, but he defended well alongside wicketkeeper Carey as the pair reached the end of the day to give the hosts a slither of hope going into day four.

Australia have never lost a home Test to Bangladesh, only losing once to the Tigers in six previous Tests – at Mirpur in 2017.

This is the first match in a two-Test series.