Reese Kaplan -- Analyzing First Base Options for 2027

Today marks the start of a series of columns about some roster options and decisions to consider for the 2027 season since the 2026 season ends when the magic number of 6 evaporates any wild dreams of a postseason appearance in 2026.  There are some obvious questions that arise 

One of the primary issues to analyze and debate is what to do at Pete Alonso’s former home at first base since the 2026 odd decision to insert middle infielder Jorge Polanco at that corner spot never really came to fruition due to injury. Many have been tried and not exactly seized the opportunity when it arose.  Let’s start at the top and then work our way through other 2027 possibilities.

Jared Young was one of those under the radar roster additions that no one really noticed nor cared about when it happened.  After all, he was a guy who’d played himself out of both the Cubs and Cardinals as a career minor leaguer and went onto a trial in Korea. He’d always shown 20+ home run power but the batting average number was not usually excellent.

Things really came together for him as a 28 year old castoff for the Doosan Bears in the Korean Baseball Organization.  His brief trial there was indeed impressive.  He hit .326 and slugged 10 HRs with 39 RBIs over the course of 38 games in South Korea.  He had a brief trial with the Mets in 2025 hitting under .200 but providing 4 HRs.  

He wasn’t really on the radar as a 1B option in 2026 with Polanco signed and fringe player Mike Tauchman having the lead spot for a bench role.  However, Tauchman got hurt and all of the sudden Young came into focus as an emergency option.  In Port St. Lucie the belief was still that he would be bench fodder behind Polanco.

As the season began no one really had any expectations but he worked productively and as of September he was a nice line in less than a half season’s worth of ABs with a .266 batting average and having hit 8 HRs with 36 RBIs, even occasionally being inserted to hit cleanup for the last place Mets.  Those numbers are not All Star level but they suggest he is actually a better bench option than originally envisioned.  If he is the starter in 2027 then there are bigger roster problems to address.

Jorge Polanco’s 2026 season isn’t worth analyzing with performance numbers.  He’s been hurt for most of it though he has shown a much stronger pedigree as a hitter than Young.  Given the magnitude of his contract he is likely the higher priority to get the majority of playing time.  The issue is his health history and the question of him being in the less demanding role of DH would likely preserve his ability to play regularly.

This week the Mets test drove failed infielder/outfielder Brett Baty at first base as well.  The now 26 year old first round draft pick has had nearly 1400 major league ABs with a career .230 batting average accompanied by 43 HRs and 154 RBIs but that’s spread over the equivalent of not quite three full seasons worth of playing time.  His versatility is good but he’s not yet shown enough offensive ability to consider him more than a substitute due to injury.

The already forgotten and out of options Mark Vientos has gotten some playing time there as well, but he’s born to be a DH if you want him in the lineup regularly.  He does not meet the run prevention philosophy David Stearns used as justification for his questionable off season moves.

Highly anticipated slugger Ryan Clifford has quickly fallen off the radar as his K rate is way off the charts.  No one denies his power.  In Syracuse this year he has hit 16 HRs and driven in 52 in 387 AAA ABs.  The issue is the 166 Ks.  He was hitting just .173 when he was sent into a development situation.

Newcomer Billy Amick has shown even more power.  Combined between the Mets organization and his former stint with the Twins he has hit 36 HRs and driven in 105 while hitting .228.  He is 23 years old and on the cusp of what should be time to make it to the majors but he’s also whiffing a lot with 145 strikeouts in 408 ABs.

Finally, there are the long term position switch options.  Many feel that the defensively challenged Juan Soto should convert to playing 1B where there is not nearly as much issue with running around the outfield.  He obviously has the hitting talent for that change but his ego may not deal well with being told he’s the Mets equivalent of Bryce Harper.

Similarly, with a huge paycheck being allocated to strong hitting Bo Bichette, some have advocated him crossing the diamond where the defensive challenge at first base might be less noticeable than it is at third.