Reese Kaplan -- Who Will Be Coming Back in 2027?

Obviously many changes are coming to the Mets unless they’re embracing total and embarrassing failure with a bear hug.  Many people are destined to leave in free agency and others have simply worn out their welcome.  Instead of figuring out who will be gone, let’s instead look at who likely will be back under the helm of a new skipper when 2027 Spring Training rolls around.  So who will you bring back?

Jorge Polanco is going to be back.  He earns too much money and provided too little in the very brief time he was on the field to make him tradeable.  You’re either keeping him here and hoping for the best or you cut him loose and eat the $20 million he’s still owed.

Marcus Semien is in a similar situation.  He has not provided much with his bat and this trend has been relevant for the past few years.  Again, either you need to to eat a lot of contract money or plan for him being the most expensive bench player in the league.

Francisco Lindor has a contract that makes him difficult to trade.  The $31.4 million per year until 2031 and a full no trade clause make him a Met for the foreseeable future.  Aside from his injury riddled 2026 campaign he has shown to earn his keep, so a great many Mets supporters will not be upset to see him take him customary position at shortstop.

Third base is a big black hole.  Bo Bichette is turning into the kind of hitter expected though not worth over $40 million per year.  He has the opt out on his side, so no one knows if he will be back or not. Obviously neither Brett Baty nor Mark Vientos are the answer.  

The current outfield as it is deserves to be back.  Juan Soto is a true superstar, delivering power, speed and batting average.  He is the kind of guy who can do damage at any time with a single swing of the bat.  Carson Benge has certainly righted his early foundering ship.  A.J. Ewing initially looked slightly overmatched be he too has found his stroke and deserves to be in the lineup every day. 

Catcher Francisco Alvarez is hitting for a higher batting average than any other time in his major league career but it seems to be coming at the expense of his long ball power.  That tradeoff is acceptable and while he’s still earning very little he’s not likely to go anywhere. 

In the starting rotation you have two rock solid entries in young hurlers Nolan McLean and Christian Scott.  If they stay healthy then they could provide the next 3-4 years of low cost quality every fifth day on the mound.  If Clay Holmes does not opt out then you have 60% of a starting rotation ready to go.

Both Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga are a lot like the unwanted infielders whose contracts are unmovable.  At some point you just have to swallow hard and eat the bad money.

The bullpen currently has Devin Williams in a multi year deal.  After him is possibly another year of Luke Weaver, Huascar Brazoban and not a lot else unless you think Reed Garrent or Dedniel Nunez are going to be key pieces.  There are no lefties with both A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley set to hit free agency. 

Yes, there are a lot of needs.  Notice there is no first baseman.  There is no resolution at second base.  There is a huge question at third base. Two starting pitchers and probably two to three more relievers are needed.

Oh yeah, a manager, too...