Paul Articulates – Windows ‘26

If you have used a computer long enough, you probably remember all the versions of Windows that you had to re-learn because Microsoft thought that the last version wasn’t good enough.  Things that you had committed to habit suddenly disappeared into menus that were difficult to find, new features were added that you didn’t understand why we needed them, and the old way of doing things was obsoleted with each version.

Baseball (and particularly your New York Mets) kind of mimics that behavior.  The last version of the team wasn’t good enough, so the GM changes everything and for months the team can’t figure out how to score or prevent runs enough to win.  Right about now, some of the players that couldn’t do anything earlier are doing it now, but the results are not much better.  Too little, too late.

Enough of the metaphors.  My main reason for naming this post “Windows ‘26” is that I wanted to discuss the evolution of Mets player personnel.  Every athlete goes through an evolution from learning the game to improving their game to refining the improvements to eventually losing some of the muscle twitch and muscle memory that goes with peak performance.  So, in a way, every athlete has a performance window that opens, exposing them to their highest level of potential competition, and then that window closes with age leading to their demotion and retirement from the sport.  No two windows are the same, but the signs are recognizable.  

Let’s talk about some of the Mets players in terms of their windows.

Windows opening:

Nolan McLean: Last year as a sensational rookie, McLean was called up and performed admirably.  He was an early favorite to win rookie of the year but suffered a few set-backs early with bad innings.  Now in his “refining” stage, he has overcome the obstacles and seems to be entering a high performance window that will see him starting ballgames for years and possibly gaining post-season awards for exceptional pitching.

Carson Benge: In April, many thought that the window had opened too early and he wasn’t ready for the cold blast of winter wind facing him at Citi Field.  But Carson has put those concerns to rest, batting over .300 in three of the four full months not named “April” this season.  His window continues to open wider as his steady and sometimes spectacular defense matches his excellent offensive performance.

AJ Ewing: No one expected Ewing’s window to open so soon.  He showed major league readiness after only a few games at AAA this year and has continued to learn and improve on the field as a starter for the Mets.  Like Benge, he has had some setbacks as pitchers figure out vulnerabilities, but he continues to improve and looks like a long term starter for this team.

Zac Thornton: Much like Ewing, Thornton burst upon the scene as an early call-up and has impressed since his debut.  He has shown  great promise as a lefty starter and appears to be undaunted by the great MLB hitters he faces.  He is not yet in his prime, so consider his window to only be partially open.

Windows Closing:

Marcus Semien: He was a three-time all-star, a gold glove winner, a silver slugger recipient, and a threat to every opposing ballclub.  Now on the trailing end of a 7-year, $175M contract, Semien has lost a step or two.  He has spent the last three years hitting far below his career average.  His productivity is lagging enough to make fans wonder who is going to take his place at second base, and the suddenly healthy list of minor league middle infield prospects is coming on strong.

Mark Vientos: The 2024 season seemed to be the unleashing of his power potential, and many thought he had finally arrived.  However, two very weak seasons later Vientos is platooning as a right-handed DH and occasional first baseman.  His window is rapidly closing, at least in New York.

Brett Baty: Brett’s story is similar to Mark’s although he never had the breakout season.  Baty has been a little more valuable, with defensive skills at several positions to give him more lineup opportunities.  However, with a .225 batting average (.650 OPS) this year and a career .230 batting average (.662 OPS) he is not making a compelling case for extending his window beyond the team control period. 

Sean Manaea: Sean has gone through some very unusual ups and downs as he (and Mets coaches) tinkers with his delivery.  He was mediocre, then he became a star, then he lost it, then it looked like he regained it, and now he looks very much like a 34-year old pitcher with declining skills.   I think that his window closes after his last year (2027) of the current 3-year contract.

Windows concerns: 

Francisco Lindor: The last two versions of the Mets were built around Lindor.  He has been a leader on the field, and outstanding defensive shortstop, and a solid hitter who has shown both power and clutch hitting at times.  This year some cracks have been forming.  He has had some very odd mental lapses and has just physically botched some plays that are so unlike him.  His batting average (.228) and OPS (.734) are at their lowest point since his very difficult first year in NY.  At 32 and with four more full seasons under his current contract one would hope he has much more gas in the tank.  It is just hard to explain his off-days this year.

Francisco Alvarez: Once a can’t miss prospect who was labelled the Mets catcher of the future, Alvarez has had enough ups and downs to make the fans sea sick.  He is currently being out-played on both sides of the ball by his back-up Luis Torrens.  How long will the Mets keep Alvarez’ window open as the primary catcher?

Windows on the lower floors:

This is a sad but very real part of baseball.  Many players compete in the minor leagues trying to fulfil their dreams of playing in the show.  Many players never make it there, and eventually their window closes and they are released.  Some get another chance with a different organization, some continue striving in independent ball, and some eventually take on a different career.  I feel for those guys, especially when they get smacked by the business side of baseball which can be cruel.  There are too many to list by name, but every one of them has a story and had a dream that ended.