Reese Kaplan -- There's a 2026 Glut of Infielders to Resolve

One of the biggest stories for the New York Mets personnel has been the slow recovery of former top prospect Ronny Mauricio.  There’s no question the man has talent.  During his most recent minor league stint of full time baseball Mauricio was in Syracuse in 2023 for the full season, giving the Mets hopeful a .292 batting average to go along with 23 HRs, 71 RBIs and 24 SBs. 

That level of performance led to his debut in the major leagues with the Mets for over 100 ABs in the same year — 2023.  His performance wasn’t quite at the same level with a .248 batting average, but people saw his speed, his power and his athleticism. 

Of course, that 2023 combined output predates his winter of 2024 injury to his knee that seemed like it would be a long term but not necessarily critical injury that would keep him off the field.  He missed all of 2024 and now well into the 2025 season he has only played in rehab.  He’s due this coming week to advance to AA to continue his rehab assignment before returning to Syracuse where he will push someone out of place.

Going into 2026 the Mets are going to have some interesting decisions to make where it comes to infielders.  Right now that list on the big club would include Jeff McNeil going into his 4th year of a contract given to him after his batting title season of 2022.  His positional versatility and his solid contact hitting would suggest he’s a valuable commodity for the Mets themselves, but in a final year he’s also a trade possibility.

Mark Vientos got off to a slow start for 2025 but the more solid hitting and power started showing up in latter April and May.  He’s not making much money, so it’s entirely possible he is there to stay, though not necessarily at third base where his defense has been less than solid and the club may indeed once again have a need diagonally across the diamond where Pete Alonso is once again going to hit free agency.

Then there is spark plug Luisangel Acuna whose slow start has been pushed aside and now the club finds him hitting in the upper .280s while making pitchers struggle to get him to fish at pitches at of the zone and catchers having to battle with his base running speed.

Add onto these current major leaguers the AAAA wonder who will be out of options, Brett Baty.  He’s once again on the big club and even got a start at third base during the third game in Arizona while Vientos was given a day off.  He delivered an 0-4 day which is, of course, worse than would have been expected from the regular third baseman.

Now you have Ronny Mauricio joining the fray.  He’s only used up a single option but is at an age where you would expect him to be a part of the major league scene once he demonstrates the health to return to hitting for power and running with abandon.

Finally you have Jett Williams likely slated for Syracuse next year.  He’s hitting well and running wildly but is still young enough that his position is likely going to be part of the AAA squad at least to start the 2026 season.

Others on the periphery there are a handful of other older minor leaguers who likely don’t factor into serious consideration.  David Stearns is going to have an interesting bit of roster juggling ahead of him for 2026 with this collection of younger infielders as part of the future or trade chips to help fulfill other needs.