Reese Kaplan -- How About the Rest of the 2027 Infield?

The rest of the infield for the Mets in 2027 is somewhat clearer than first base.  For now you could make a prediction for next season based upon what was projected for 2026 but never really evolved as anticipated.

At second base Marcus Semien has proven to be a consummate professional though he started off very slowly with the bat.  He has demonstrated star quality performance defensively and also used his legs effectively.  The power shown previously in his career was not there initially, but after everyone (including me) wrote off the odd Brandon Nimmo trade as a total disaster, at this point Semien is actually exceeding the former Mets outfielder in both home runs and RBIs.  The  difference remains batting average with a gap of just 23 points in Nimmo’s favor during his prolonged slump driving him down from the over .300 plateau he’d enjoyed earlier in the year. 

Right now Nimmo earns $20.5 million per year and will continue to do so through 2030.  That is a financial commitment of over $100 million for what he can do. Right now Semien earns $72 million between now and his contract expiration in 2028.  That $28 million gap is not looking like such a bad differential for now.

At shortstop, obviously a healthy Francisco Lindor will be back as he can win games with his glove, his bat and his legs.  He’s a five time All Star, a four time Silver Slugger and a two time Gold Glove winner.  When on the field he is a leader.  His annual salary of $34.1 million runs now through the 2031 season.  Unless you’re taking on a similarly large contract in exchange he’s not really tradeable nor should you necessarily want to do so.

Third base is the one area where the Mets may have something of unpredictability.  Bo Bichette was hailed as a great arrival and took heat off the front office after they missed out on other stellar offensive free agents.  He’s come to life since June began and it’s possible by year end he will post numbers more in line with what was expected.  Here’s the problem.  As a free agent he’s earning $42 million per year.  For a guy with a career batting average of .289 with power and RBI production that’s not terrible in this day and age.  When this season ends Bichette has an option to return for the same $42 million or the Mets have a $5 million buyout.  Ouch. 

Suppose Bichette finishes with a flourish and approaches that .289 batting average.  He then needs to decide if he wants to test the open market again or not.  Right now his contract with the Mets is only guaranteed for this year.  This same option for 2027 returns for 2028 as well.  He might feel a slightly lower annual rate but spread over a greater number of years is a preferable way to ensure his financial future. 

On the flip side the Mets may decide if he ends 2026 with a batting average sub .250 that he’s simply not worth another $42 million in payroll dollars for the 2027 (and 2028) seasons.  They could exercise the $5 million buyout and use that money to address other needs. 

Here’s the rub.  If he goes, then who plays third base?  Obviously the long term experiments with Mark Vientos and Brett Baty have not resulted in the type of productivity to make anyone feel comfortable with either of them being given the job.  Jorge Polanco could shift across the diamond if another first base option evolves.  None are jumping out as necessarily better than Bichette but all are quite a bit less expensive.

Then there’s the matter of catcher.  Francisco Alvarez has shown offensive ability and defensive skills but neither at All Star levels.  He’s had a number of injuries in his youth and it’s possible that he will continue to progress as he matures.  Luis Torrens is a capable backup but doesn’t have the offensive talent to warrant day to day use.  You could probably write Alvarez’s name in ink for the 2027 season at catcher.