While the injuries have a lion’s share of the responsibility for the Mets last place record but it appears two of the major losses are drawing to a close. If you believe the various stories appearing online all over the place, then you accept the projected June 20th return date for shortstop Francisco Lindor with apparently DH Jorge Polanco following shortly thereafter. Given the unexpectedly positive results the team has gotten from utilityman Jared Young at first base and the fragility of the two healing injuries for Polanco, a DH assignment for the former Mariner makes the most sense.
First of all, you have a number of players performing poorly. In no particular order that list would include M.J. Melendez, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty and Eric Wagaman. Assuming both Vientos and Baty have a modicum of residual trade value it would seem that Melendez and Wagaman are the fairly obvious choices to go to make room for Lindor and Polanco.
Do remember that there are other players still on the IL, including Luis Robert, Tyrone Taylor and Ronny Mauricio. None of them are pending for a near term return to the big club. Of these three Taylor is arguably the most interesting as he is a free agent at year’s end and is more than serviceable as a defensive player though not nearly as skilled with the bat. Robert is simply too injury prone to have the faith to bring him back for $20 million for 2027 and A.J. Ewing has shown skills with his glove, his legs and his bat to suggest he is now the center fielder for the future. Ronny Mauricio is the toughest one to figure out. He has no room on the roster anymore unless the Mets part ways with one or both of Vientos and Baty.
So how will the new look lineup shake out? Here’s my take:
- RF — Carson Benge
- SS — Francisco Lindor
- 3B — Bo Bichette
- LF — Juan Soto
- DH — Jorge Polanco
- 1B — Jared Young
- 2B — Marcus Semien
- CF — A.J. Ewing
- C — Francisco Alvarez
My thinking here is that Benge has been on fire after his ice cold start to his rookie season. Moving him out of the leadoff spot would make little sense given his extended term success. Lindor can slot in at number two giving you apparently two leadoff capable hitters in a row. Bichette and his career .294 batting average seem to be a great place setter to bat third with slugger Juan Soto being the cleanup hitter and run producer. After these slots it gets a little more a matter of lefty/righty alternate hitters (well, Polanco is a switch hitter). You could flip flop Ewing and Alvarez which would not be as lefty/righty consistent, but it would then give you three leadoff type batters in a row if Ewing is at batting position number nine.
What’s your take?
6 comments:
Baty will play at least part time. Polanco? Part time. Lindor? I hope they don’t have him immediately play every game upon his return. Don’t overtax the calf right away. Sit 3 games the first two weeks back.
I think your lineup makes a lot of sense. It also is quite competitive.
I'd play Baty instead of Young. Ewing eventually has to lead off.
Ewing looks like an excellent lead-off player.
I projected a somewhat different lineup. I prefer Soto second since he is the most patient hitter. then Lindor (who is a switch hitt) followed by Bichette. Ewing at 5, Semien 6, Polanco, Young and catcher. Eventually, (next year) Ewing and Benge switch. Either way you have a get on base guy in front of an RBI or someone with history of hitting well with runners in scoring position. This is the only way to compensate for lack of power. I refuse to pencil in Alvarez as the starting catcher. To be sure, Torrens has been exposed when he has to play too many games, but Alvarez is exposed whenever he plays.
Soto should be up in first inning. Either 2nd or 3rd.
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