Tom Brennan: In Defense of Mets’ Defense; I Am Iron Man; Velo Matters

 

 

OH, WHAT A RELIEF STRONG DEFENSE IS!

Playing a new position is hard. Of that, there is no doubt. 

Everyone says that, and I concede to that point.

Bichette to 3rd base, Polanco to first base? Hard.

But, let’s step back and think about this for a minute.

These guys found out in January that they be expected to play these positions in April. So they have three months to learn.

Secondly, they played alongside guys in those positions for quite a long time and understand the interactional dynamics of that, so they are not coming at it like Jay. I never focused on those positions whatsoever. You understand what people do with those positions very deeply comment when you are a Professional player who’s played so many games. 

Lastly, consider this factor, as spelled out an interview byNSNY freelance writer, Colin Martin, with Freddie Peralta.

Peralta….was asked his thoughts on having four traditional shortstops playing different spots in the infield, as the Mets' 2026 lineup will consist of Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette (playing 3B), Marcus Semien (playing 2B), and Jorge Polanco (playing 1B). Although Semien has been at second base the past few seasons with Texas and Toronto, and Polanco moved from mostly SS to 2B in 2021.

"Oh my God, I don't know. I think if we are going to have that, a lot of baseballs are going to be caught everywhere," Peralta said jokingly. "Excited to see."

I think there are tons of logic to absorb here. And, if Peralta is excited, if he thinks there’s going to be a lot of baseballs caught everywhere, which really makes a lot of sense, then why should we have trepidation? Why shouldn’t we be downright excited?

Also consider this thought: time and time again, we all look at guys being potentially drafted who are short stops, and the question always comes up, will they be able to remain at shortstop? That question is asked because it’s the most demanding position in the Enfield to play. All of these guys have passed the test at shortstop. So why do we think they will have trouble mastering easier positions?

Lastly, some folks talk about Bo Bichette’s weak arm for third base. But a chart I saw recently that ranked shortstop arm strength had Bo B ranked HIGHER than a guy named Francisco (the Hamate Man) Lindor. 

How about them apples in the big apple?

Me? Put me in the “downright excited” column. I think this infield is gonna flash some leather this year that’s going to make us smile.

WHAT COULD GO WRONG LETTING YOUR GUYS PLAY IN TOURNAMENTS?

Saw this, thought of Edwin:

The leg injury Kings star Kevin Fiala suffered during the Olympics is season-ending, according to ESPN.  Fiala, playing with Switzerland, sustained the injury during the team’s loss to Canada on Friday.

No, no key players EVER get hurt in these things, clearly.

I AM IRON MAN

Last year, Alonso, Soto, Lindor, and Nimmo missed almost no games between them, averaging 159 games played.  

Baseball is grueling. David Wright was an Iron Man until he rusted out.

Now, Lindor has a balky hamate bone. Surgery zipped-zip, as I write this mid-week. 

It is great when the great players play every day, but their not resting more increases the likelihood of nagging injuries becoming worse. Because aside from Ripken and Gehrig, no one is Iron Man in baseball anymore.

I for one believe Lindor has his eyes on the Hall of Fame. He knows that huge career numbers come from extremely high levels of games played in one’s peak years. But the worn out tire has a bubble in it. It just blew out.

Hopefully, for Lindor, it will only be a “short stop” on the injured list.

But not TOO short, as he could STOP being as productive if not properly healed. 

And I would recommend not returning in cold late March/April weather.

The Mets have already lost a lot of power this last season. What if Lindor loses half of his?  

The Mets (Alvarez, Lindor) may lead the major leagues in hamate bone removals.

Lastly, this injury basically ended one Mets “prospect’s” career: 

Tim Tebow was never the same after his hamate surgery. The month prior to it, he hit .300 in the minors. His long shot bid died right there.

VELO MATTERS

Mets sign Craig Kimbrel. The now-37 year old former uber-beast has less velocity than he did several years back.

Baseball Savant showed his 2025 FB velo at 93.5. 

Several years prior, per their charts, he averaged 99. Huge difference.

See the charts:

BB Savant Yearly Charts for Kimbrel

THINGS OFTEN HAPPEN IN THREES

Saw this:

“One college baseball player had a Baylor debut for the history books — and it left him “speechless” afterward.

“Tyce Armstrong, a redshirt senior who transferred to the Bears after four seasons at UT Arlington, crushed three grand slams — tying a collegiate baseball record — and drove in 12 runs during a 15-2 win over New Mexico State on Friday.”

- Maybe he saw my advice to be aggressive like Brent Rooker.

MACK - THE SUNDAY REPORT -

 

The Morning Report

 

First, let's talk short.

Yes, Francisco Lindor is scheduled to be back by opening day, but some combination of rust, bad timing, and possible sub-par throwing could shelve this plan.

One then has to asked why not return Bo Bichette to short and play either Brett Baty or Mark Vientos on third until the trainer gives the a-ok?

Plus, there's Ronny Mauricio.

However, I have a new plan...

Why not let Bichette play third and move another ex-shortstop back there. Marcus Semien. You can then play either Baty or Mauricio at second. 

 

A quick observation..

Mets Metrics ran some numbers on Bo Bichette's arm, both from third base and short. I was disappointed that it was below the average. Better than Alex Bregman, but still, below average. The bottom line is he is potentially the league leader in hits so that's the hand they will play this season.

 

A few Q&A

Q. I think I asked you this earlier but do you think the 26 roster is complete?

Mack. The only move I possibly see is Lindor going on the 7-day IL and being replaced by someone like Vidal Brujan (of course this could always be the entry point for Carson Benge).

Q. At what point do you think Benge will be in the starting lineup?

Mack. I've evaluated this for countless hours plus consulted with baseball God's throughout the industry. Then, I threw all that shite in the crapper and promoted him before game 1.

Q. Do you think Craig Kimbrel will return to dominance?

Mack. Dominance? No. Competitiveness, yes. Plus I think of all that wealth of relief knowledge working with your young pen-mates.. I'm not sure how long it will last but I would keep him if his ERA stayed below 4.00 and kis K/9 was over nine.

Q. Who does you think will be the first rookie to make a splash on this team?

Mack. Trick question, huh? I mean, Nolan McLean sort of charged up in the later portion of last season. Technically, he is still a rookie and has to be counted too. However, I expect two more rookies to be also showcased during spring training. They are aforementioned Carson Benge and probably second half season sensation, Jonah Tong. Tong will start off in AAA-Syracuse and work on his secondary pitches. Where his entry point into the rotation is, and when, is totally up to a lot of factors that simply haven't transpired yet.

Q. Is Ronny Mauricio ever going to pan out?

Mack. Maybe as a platooned designated hitter, but that's all I see for the young man. In his defense I'm not sure he has been given a decent change and, with the long list of infielders on this team, he may never.

Q. There is a lot of experience in the current projected Mets bullpen. Do you see either Ryan Lambert or Dylan Ross wearing Mets blue and orange come April?

Mack. Boy, I wish, but watch for the Mets to open up out there with vet-only relievers.

Q. 

  

RVH - The 2026 Diagnostic: Building for the Grind

 

As we move into Spring Training, the conversation is shifting from “who did we sign?” to “how does this actually work?” To understand the 2026 Mets, we have to understand the difference between a load-bearing roster and a layered one.

In engineering, a load-bearing wall carries the weight of the entire structure. If it fails, the building collapses. For years, the Mets built load-bearing rosters. They relied on a few aging pillars—Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer—to hold up the entire season. When those pillars inevitably cracked due to injury or age, there was nothing underneath to catch the weight, and the result was total system failure.

The 2026 Mets are attempting a different architecture. Instead of asking a few players to carry the full weight of the franchise, they’ve built layers. This roster is designed to operate as a model, not to chase a miracle season.

1. Redundancy as a Multiplier

The blockbuster acquisitions of Bo Bichette and Luis Robert Jr. aren’t just about adding star power. They’re about offensive redundancy.

In prior seasons, the lineup was so top-heavy that if one star slumped or missed time, the entire scoring engine stalled. There was no insulation from variance. By layering Bichette and Robert alongside a deep group of professional hitters, the Mets have protected themselves from the Variance Cliff.

If one player hits a cold streak, the lineup doesn’t shut down. It keeps functioning. That redundancy matters most in the Competitive Middle—the roughly 40% of games decided by two to four runs. Those games aren’t won by heroics. They’re won by steady, professional execution, by lineups that don’t need everything to go right on a given night.

This is how you win 4–2 games in June without burning emotional or bullpen capital.

2. Stabilizing Innings: Durable Infrastructure in the Rotation

The 2022 Mets proved you can buy wins with aging aces. They also proved you cannot buy durability.

You can’t build a foundation on a load-bearing arm that might only give you 100 innings. Over 162 games, injuries aren’t anomalies; they’re guarantees. A mid-June oblique strain that costs a starter three weeks is not bad luck—it’s part of the season.

In 2026, while Freddy Peralta leads the staff, the success of the rotation rests on the foundational innings provided by the middle of the order. The front office prioritized durable infrastructure over fragile “Top-5 starter” projections. Arms like Clay Holmes and Tobias Myers aren’t expected to be saviors; they’re expected to be available.

That availability creates margin. It means a single injury doesn’t cascade into bullpen overuse, emergency call-ups, and the kind of pitching spiral Mets fans have seen too many times before. This staff is built on stabilizing innings that allow the team to absorb failure without collapsing.

3. Protecting the Option Value

The most important part of the 2026 diagnostic may be who the Mets did not trade.

By retaining top pitching prospects and creating an infield surplus with Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco, and Bichette, the organization has preserved option value. This surplus isn’t about hoarding talent; it’s about flexibility.

It allows for rest, matchup optimization, and injury absorption without dropping to replacement-level scrambling. When the grind of July hits, the Mets aren’t digging into the bottom of the barrel; they’re re-sequencing known quantities. That distinction is the difference between a layered roster and a load-bearing one.

The Final Word: Operating the Model

A successful 2026 season will reveal itself in the "boring" wins—the 4–2 games where nothing spectacular happens, but nothing breaks. The games where the Mets simply out-execute the opponent because they have more professional layers to lean on.

For the first time in the Cohen era, the Mets aren’t hoping for a miracle or praying that a single star stays healthy for six months. They’re trusting a machine. The goal isn’t just to reach a theoretical ceiling. It’s to ensure the floor is finally strong enough to survive the full 162-game marathon.

2026 DRAFT PROSPECTS. - Five Possible 3rd Round Picks

 

Five Possible 3^rd Round Picks - MLB

Gavin Gallaher

3B, North Carolina

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Gallaher has established himself as one of the most clutch playoff performers in college baseball, earning MVP honors at NCAA Regionals in each of his first two seasons while leading North Carolina to the Men's College World Series in 2024 and a victory shy of a return last June. Though he was the Tar Heels' best hitter as a sophomore, slashing .325/.409/.603 with 17 homers, scouts aren't quite sure what to make of him. His performance outstrips his tools and he has slugged just .316 with two homers in 52 games during two summers with wood bats in the Cape Cod League.

A right-handed hitter, Gallaher doesn't have any obvious weaknesses at the plate. He manages the strike zone well enough, shows the ability to handle lefties and righties and all types of pitches and makes hard fly ball contact from gap to gap. His lack of power with wood is a concern, especially with a player who may not be able to handle a challenging defensive position.

A below-average runner with average arm strength, Gallaher manned third base in his first two college seasons but the game sped up on him too much there. UNC plans on using him at second base in 2026, though he lacks the actions and quickness to play there in pro ball. He projects as more of a left fielder than a middle infielder.

 

Mulivai Levu

1B, UCLA

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The main attraction at UCLA for 2026 is undoubtedly Roch Cholowsky, the No. 1 prospect in the class. But teams not picking at the very top of the Draft will still have good talent to evaluate, starting with Levu, who spent most of his first two years with the Bruins as their starting first baseman. After a solid freshman campaign (.809 OPS), Levu took a nice step forward as a sophomore in 2025, finishing with a .320/.389/.522 line to go along with a dozen homers, finishing things off by playing for the U.S. National Collegiate Team over the summer.

A strong left-handed hitter, Levu has a fast bat and a good swing, with a ton of raw power to tap into. He can drive the ball to all fields with ease with at least plus raw pop. His impressive bat-to-ball skills and plate coverage can work against him at times; because he can get to everything, he swings at everything. He cut down on his swing-and-miss in 2025, but he’ll need to dial down the chase. If he does that, he could be among the nation’s leaders in home runs. Levu has incredible hand-eye coordination, proving it as an excellent pickleball player and in his experience as a flame-twirler as part of his Samoan culture.

While most feel Levu will likely be destined for first base (where he is a solid defender) at the next level, there is some athleticism for him to work with. He can throw and his hands work fine, albeit with long actions, so some don’t want to rule out the possibility of playing third as a pro. Regardless of his defensive home, his bat could fly off the board early, especially if he tones down his approach at the plate.

 

Myles Bailey

1B, Florida State

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Bailey was a Top 150 prospect coming out of the Florida high school ranks in 2024, and while he did go on to Florida State, his power potential was enough for the White Sox to take a flier on in the 20th round of that summer’s Draft. A year of crushing baseballs in the ACC -- he finished second in the conference with 19 homers and was a first-team freshman All-American -- has certainly provided more confidence that his juice is for real.

A strong left-handed hitter, Bailey is on a short list of hitters with the most raw power in this class, right up there with fellow Florida collegian Daniel Cuvet at Miami. Bailey can drive the ball to all fields and reaches the seats even when he mis-hits balls. The one question around him that’s traveled to Tallahassee is whether he’ll hit enough to get to that power consistently at the next level. While his ability to draw walks helps offset it, a 31 percent strikeout rate with a bit of a grooved swing as a freshman will have to be improved to give teams more confidence.

Bailey is a better athlete than he’s given credit for, and he’s played third and in corner outfield spots before college. That said, he’s likely destined for first, where he’s fine defensively. Some improvements in his approach to cut down on the swing-and-miss should help him be one of the more interesting Draft-eligible sophomores in the class.

 

Cole Prosek

3B, Magnolia Heights (MS)

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Prosek isn't as tooled up as fellow Mississippi prep prospects Eric Booth and Kevin Roberts Jr., but he's a better hitter than either of them and one of the most advanced bats in the entire high school class. Part of a Magnolia Heights (Senatobia, Miss.) program that has won seven consecutive Midsouth Association of Independent Schools 5-A championships, he homered twice in the 2025 title game. He also played well on the showcase circuit, winning MVP honors at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in July.

Prosek has a quick, compact left-handed swing that always seems to be on time. He can chase pitches and get pull-happy on occasion, but his good feel for the barrel allows him to make quality contact. He has the hitting ability, bat speed and strength for average power, and some evaluators believe he can become a plus hitter with solid pop.

Because he's a below-average runner and lacks lateral quickness, Prosek fits better at third base than in the middle infield. He has solid arm strength and has pushed his fastball to 93 mph on the mound. He'll be 19 on Draft day and eligible again as a sophomore in 2028 if he attends Mississippi.

 

Lucas Nawrocki

LHP, Aledo (TX)

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Nawrocki spent most of his junior season at Aledo (Texas) HS as a DH, helping the Bearcats win the state 5-A Division I title by batting .532 and winning championship game MVP honors by going 4-for-4. But he opened eyes with his pitching during the summer, including a dominant turn at the Area Code Games where he struck out five of the 12 hitters he faced. Though his listed height of 5-foot-11 is generous, and he's almost certainly a reliever, his pure stuff could land him in the top three rounds.

Nawrocki may have the best slider in the Draft, an 82-85 mph beast that can top 3,200 rpm and can feature either tremendous depth or sweep, depending on what he wants. His four-seam fastball ranges from 91-95 mph with high spin rates that create quality carry. He doesn't use his firm 85-88 mph changeup much, but its fade and his ability to land it for strikes give it the potential to become at least an average offering.

While he's small, Nawrocki has a strong, athletic frame. It's impossible to project him as a starter, but it he can throw consistent strikes and maintain the stuff he displayed during the summer, he could become a high-leverage lefty reliever. Clubs may let him prove he can do that in college and he's committed to Louisiana State.

Reese Kaplan -- Some Very Good Depth Pieces on the Farm

While the team going north is likely 99.44% already determined there are questions about who will be on the farm in the event injuries or performance demand changes need to be made.  There are some strong candidates in many places though the need for them might forced a bit sooner if the known roster members do not quite measure up as planned.

First Base

Ryan Clifford is arguably the strongest power hitting  bat to come up through the Mets system since Pete Alonso graduated from the minors.  Right now he’s working on cutting down his high strikeout numbers and improving his bat control to raise his average, but a 2025 season with 29 HRs and 93 RBIs in under 500 ABs looks extremely promising.

Infielders and Outfielders

A.J. Ewing is someone people are very excited to see developing into a multipositional asset.  Last season split between three levels he hit .315 and sole 70 bases.  It was that kind of development that likely made Jett Williams into a tradable asset. 

Jacob Reimer has played both infield corners and left field, though none of them particularly well.  As a 21 year old in 2025 he ht .282 with 17 HRs and 77 RBIs in less than 450 ABs.  While the defensive side of his game is kind of Vientos-like, the offensive numbers do get people somewhat excited.

Much further down the depth chart is middle infielder Elian Pena.  Not even age 18 yet he started off his pro career with a bang.  He finished the 2025 season with projected totals of over 20 HRs, over 40 SBs and hitting in the .280s.  He’s a long way from Citifield but folks are very stoked for his development and eventual arrival. 

While it is uncertain whether he’ll begin the 2026 season in Syracuse or in Queens, right fielder Carson Benge has shown strong offensive capability since giving up time devoted to pitching.  In two years in the minors he has less than 500 ABs while hitting .280 with 17 HRs and 81 RBIs while stealing 25 bases.  He’s surely a solid bet for the future but the big question is how soon that future will arrive. 

Finally, in this group you have Nick Morabito who is also exclusively an outfielder.  At age 22 playing for Binghamton he hit .273 with 49 SBs.  He’s another speedy guy who could help when he’s ready to make the big jump.   

Catchers

While the place behind the plate belongs to Francisco Alvarez, down on the farm are two catching prospects ready to advance up the ladder as they continue to fight for promotion to the majors.  AFL star Chris Suero who between two leagues in 2025 hit just .233 but hit 16 HRs and drove in 68 while stealing 35 bases.  He’s spent time in left field and at first base as well.

Former high draft pick Kevin Parada has never blossomed as expected during this slow trek up the ladder, but in the second half of 2025 he finally started showing that offense that seduced the scouts when he was selected.  In Binghamton in just over a half season’s worth of ABs he hit .254 with 10 HRs and 50 RBIs.  While those numbers don’t wow you, they suggest he’s a solid if lower level contender as a catching backup.

Starting Pitching

Rather than dwell on the specific numbers for each of the top most rated performers here, know that behind the six starters already in Queens the Mets have a pretty awesome set of backup contenders.  Christian Scott is back from injury.  Jonah Tong needs to see if he can regain his dominance from AA.  Other in the chain include Jonathan Santucci, Zach Thornton, Will Watson and Jack Wenninger.

Relief Pitching

Here’s it’s a bit murkier.  Dylan Ross and Jonathan Pintaro are the top contenders to support the starting pitchers but after that the numbers in most of the other contenders suggest they are not quite ready for prime time players. 

MACK - Top 28 Prospects - #14 - SP - Noah Hall

 

The excitement about the Mets' prospect pipeline has been building year over year as the team improves their domestic and international scouting.  Many of the Mets' picks are being discussed throughout baseball, so Mack has boiled it down to the top 28 to give the readers a glimpse into the team's future.  This series will run for 28 days, counting down from #28 to #1.  The entire list can be viewed by clicking "2026 Top 28 Prospects" on the top menu bar.

14.    Noah Hall

25/yrs old in March      6-0    195   RHSP

2025:    A+ –              25-G, 21-ST, 5-7, 2.72, 1.27, 112.2-IP, 63-BB, 115-K 

GROK -

Noah Hall is a promising right-handed starting pitcher in the New York Mets' minor league system. At 24 years old (born March 30, 2001, in Charlotte, NC), he's 6'0" and 195 lbs, known for his command, plus changeup, and potential as a mid-rotation arm.

He's currently assigned to High-A Brooklyn Cyclones.

He’s shown significant improvement in 2025 after battling injuries, positioning him as one of the Mets' more intriguing pitching prospects.

Hall began his college career at Appalachian State University, where he spent two seasons (2019-2021) primarily as a reliever, posting a 4.15 ERA over 34.2 innings with 41 strikeouts. He transferred to the University of South Carolina for his junior year in 2022, transitioning into a starting role in the competitive SEC.

That season, he logged a 4.34 ERA in 76.2 innings across 16 starts, with 78 strikeouts and a solid walk rate (31 BB), earning him a 20th-round draft pick (612th overall) from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Hall returned to South Carolina for his senior year in 2023 to improve his stock

In 2023, he started hot, going 5-1 with a 3.29 ERA in seven starts (41 IP, 43 K, just 9 BB), earning SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week honors in February and Perfect Game National Pitcher of the Week on February 28. Unfortunately, a back injury sidelined him for the second half of the season. His performance and pedigree as a two-year Gamecock starter caught the Mets' eye, leading to his selection in the 7th round (216th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft.

Hall signed with the Mets for $176,250, slightly below slot value, and debuted in the Florida Complex League (FCL) Mets in 2023. Limited by his injury, he made just four starts, posting a 3.38 ERA in 13.1 innings with 13 strikeouts and excellent control (2 BB).

In 2024, he advanced to Low-A St. Lucie Mets, where he built on his command with a 3.45 ERA over 15 starts (72.1 IP, 78 K, 22 BB), though he dealt with minor setbacks that capped his innings.

Four-Seam Fastball

Straight with some ride; located up in the zone well.

92-95 mph (touches 96)

50-55 grade (primary pitch, ~50% usage)

Improved life in pro ball; pairs well with changeup for swing-and-miss.

Changeup

His best offering—tumble and arm-side fade; elite separation from fastball.

80-83 mph

60-70 grade (above-average to plus; ~30% usage)

Devastating vs. righties; generated whiffs in college and minors; Mets' development focus.

Slider

Shorter, tighter break with high spin (2,600+ RPM); horizontal sweep.

84-87 mph

45-50 grade (fringe-average; ~15-20% usage)

Shows promise but underutilized; added depth in 2024-25; potential third pitch.

Hall's strengths are his low walk rates (career ~2.5 BB/9 in college/pros) and ability to induce weak contact, but he could benefit from a curveball or refined slider for lefties.

His changeup is the carrying tool, often graded as his 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale.

Overall, Hall's trajectory is upward, and with the Mets' pitching lab, he could emerge as a reliable starter. Keep an eye on his Cyclones starts—he's one injury-free season from Mets contention chatter.

       

12-27-2025 –

MACK/MM

Noah Hall – another 2022 pitching draft gem (we’ll try not to hold it against him that he was a Gamecock). RHP. Pitched all of 2025 for A+ Brooklyn: 25-G, 21-ST, 5-7, 2.72, 1.26, 112.2-IP, 115-K, 63-BB. Needs to work on his control. There’s nothing left for him to do at Coney, but the question is can he squeeze into an already busy projected spring Rumble Ponies rotation.

Ernest Dove: My New York Mets Top 30 Prospect List: #24 Jose Chirinos

 

Making it #24 on my @mets Top 30 Prospect List is a young RHP who mirrors the delivery of the one and only #Mets great Jacob deGrom - Jose Chirinos. I explain. #mlb #baseballteam #metsbaseball #newyorkmets #metstalk #nymets

Watch on YouTube or below.

For more of Ernest's wisdom and lots of great Mets Prospect Videos subscribe to Ernest's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ernestdove.

You can also catch Ernest on X (formerly known as Twitter). 

Reese Kaplan -- Lots of Options for Temporary SS Replacement...

Well, the big news has hit everyone about Francisco Lindor’s hand surgery and the belief that he would need at minimum 6 full weeks of rehab and healing time.  It means no Spring Training and no World Baseball Classic for the Mets shortstop.  What it also means is that the club needs to execute a Plan B in the event that the healing takes longer than just the preseason period.

The most obvious approach has already been dismissed.  Former Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette who was brought here to play third base will not be sliding back to his familiar shortop position.  There appear to be two issues at play here.  First, Bichette needs to be free from distractions adjusting to the hot corner after having manned shortstop for his pro career.  Second, he’s not a good shortstop.  If David Stearns is serious about run prevention then moving from one of the better options to one of the worst makes no sense whatsoever.

The next in-house option is Ronny Mauricio whose presence on the major league roster just became significantly more probable.  He’s got a great arm and a still developing bat while offering up enough defensive skill that you could live with him in that position for however long it takes for Lindor to return to playing health.  Until now people were questioning whether he’d even make the team and all of the sudden his stock has risen out of injury necessity. 

Then there are the AAAA newcomers who could play shortstop but wouldn’t provide enough with the bat to provide anything in terms of run creation.  Diminutive switch hitter Vidal Brujan has had parts of major league presence since 2021 but in aggregate only delivered over 564 ABs a career .199 average with 5 HRs, 48 RBIs and 16 SBs.  None of these numbers suggests he’s anything more than a late inning defensive replacement.

The other infielders in camp are not on the 40-man roster and it’s hardly likely they would displace someone from their spot there for what might amount to a 2-4 week presence on the big club. 

Another interesting option would be to ask prospective starting first baseman Jorge Polanco temporarily to play as a middle infielder as he’s done during much of his career.  Polanco has a track record of over 500 games at shortstop.  Since it is a temporary thing, it’s possible to have the Mets live with Mark Vientos (if he’s still around) at first base for a few weeks until Lindor returns. 

Of course, the team could still go outside and bring someone in who could slot into Lindor’s position and the most seemingly natural fit is available free agent Jose Iglesias.  He’s a competent fielder and holds a career batting average of .279 and did even better as a Met in 2024 when he hit .337.  His one year in San Diego was not impressive and as such he’s been on the outside looking in as 30 major league ballclubs turned elsewhere for middle infield support.  More importantly he was a terrific presence in the clubhouse during his single year in Queens, something most definitely missing in 2025.  The price for his services would not be exorbitant.  The Padres paid him $3 million after his very strong 2024 season and with Spring Training beginning this week his price tag likely will have dropped as he prepares to play his age 36 season. 

It will be interesting to see how Stearns addresses this need.  

MACK - THE FRIDAY REPORT

 

The Morning Report

 

Carson Benge, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor, and MJ Melendez are all options for right field for the Mets, with Juan Soto shifting to left field.

MACK – I can’t help but feel that this could speed up the arrival of Benge. Why not. There are veterans at all the other positions so you can easily slip in a rook and bat him ninth.

Will it happen? Probably not. The same bet would be the glove of Taylor.

Still, it seems every day comes and goes and there is a national story or interview about this guy. Is this orchestrated this way? Who knows? Right now, I’d say it’s about even odds that he breaks camp with the other 25. Being a starter could be a whole different animal.

 

 

David Stearns mentioned that Vidal Bruján, Jackson Cluff, Grae Kessinger, Ronny Mauricio and Christian Arroyo  are shortstop options for the Mets now that Francisco Lindor misses time to start the season.

MACK – OK… we need to spend some time with Brujan and Cluff before we go forward.

GROK –

Vidal Bruján is a Dominican professional baseball player, born February 9, 1998 (age 28 as of now), in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic.

He's a versatile utility infielder/outfielder known for his switch-hitting (bats both sides) and right-handed throwing.

Current Status (as of February 2026): He's currently with the New York Mets in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Mets acquired him from the Minnesota Twins on January 22, 2026, in exchange for cash considerations after he was designated for assignment by the Twins (who had claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Braves shortly before).

He's listed with positions including third baseman (3B), second baseman (2B), shortstop (SS), and outfield spots like right field (RF).

Career Overview

Debut: July 7, 2021, with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Previous Teams: Tampa Bay Rays (2021–2023), Miami Marlins (2024), Chicago Cubs (2025), Baltimore Orioles (2025), Atlanta Braves (2025), brief stint with Minnesota Twins (claimed January 2026, then traded).

He's a journeyman utility player with solid speed and contact skills but limited power (career MLB slash line around .199/.267/.276 through prior seasons, with better recent marks like .253 in limited 2025 action and .222 in 2024).

Physical: 5'9", 180 lbs.

Contract: Signed through 2026 (1 year/$850k noted in some sources), arbitration-eligible 2027, free agent 2029.

He's valued for his positional flexibility in the infield and outfield, making him a useful bench/depth piece.

 

Jackson Cluff is a professional baseball player, currently a minor league infielder in the New York Mets organization.

He's a 29-year-old (born December 3, 1996, in Littleton, Colorado) utility infielder who primarily plays shortstop (SS), second base (2B), and occasionally third base. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed, standing at 5'11" and weighing 181 lbs.

Background and Career

College:

Played baseball at Brigham Young University (BYU Cougars), where he had a strong 2019 season (.325/.458/.515 with 27 extra-base hits and 12 steals).

Drafted: Selected by the Washington Nationals in the 6th round (183rd overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft.

Pro Career: Spent several years in the Nationals' system, reaching Triple-A (e.g., Rochester Red Wings). He has a career minor league batting line of around .219/.324/.363 with 42 HR, 86 SB, but high strikeouts (527 in 498 games). Known for solid defense up the middle, speed, and plate discipline, though contact has been inconsistent.

Recent Moves: Became a free agent and signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets in November 2025, with an invite to spring training. He's assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets and listed as depth, especially at shortstop.

MACK – Frankly, neither of these two are going to the HOF.

And lastly...

I have been observing "pitchers/catchers" and a few initial things come to mind...

1. There are a lot of non pitchers already in this camp, and I don't mean catchers.

2. Most of the new guys are veterans and, thus, don't need a refresher with "the drill". No one is going to overswing in the batting cage or throw out a rib cage with a fastball. 

Not this week.

This is "loosing up" with an occasional intro to a new teammate.

3. I am immediately struck with seemingly a lack of previously produced depth. Almost fragility. 

4. Doing past numbers, the hits are there and you could walk off leading in team steals, but the power has left the building. Especially homers.

5. To me, early on, the starters look deep, talented, healthy, and frankly, exciting.

6. The pen is a work in progress and could easily be bailed out by excess starters.

I'm not dancing in the halls yet, but I'm not burying myself in the sand either