As 2026 season winds down, Mets will evaluate infield options ahead of 2027

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.