David Stearns on the state of the Mets infield — and who might return in 2027

The Mets’ young outfield group has difference-making potential.

In a mostly lost season, there have been emergences in both the rotation and bullpen that provide hope for 2027 and beyond. 

Which is part of why much of David Stearns’ time Friday afternoon during his homestand availability was spent discussing what has gone wrong (plenty) and right (a bit) with the club’s infield. 

With the exception of Bo Bichette — who would plug in as the everyday third baseman if he opts in for next season, a contractual decision that Stearns said he has not discussed with the infielder — Stearns provided hints at how the Mets’ infield could look next season, including: 

Despite a rough defensive season, Francisco Lindor will be the everyday shortstop in 2027.

In just about every metric, from the traditional (10 errors in his first 82 games) to the more advanced (ranking 52nd among 62 shortstops who had logged at least 150 innings this season in Defensive Runs Saved), Lindor has taken a step back defensively. 

The position is mostly patrolled by younger kids, and Lindor turns 33 in November. The only players who are older and have spent most of their time at shortstop this year are Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Trea Turner. 

Lindor’s glove has regressed, with several booted balls, including Tuesday at Tropicana Field, but perhaps more notably, his sprint speed is down for a third straight season, falling from 28.1 feet per second in 2023 in his fastest one-second window in 2023 to 26.8 feet this season. 

But there is “no question” the normally steady and two-time Gold Glover will be the Mets shortstop next year, Stearns said. 

“Certainly a few more mistakes than we’re accustomed to seeing,” Stearns allowed before the Mets began a series with the Giants at Citi Field. “I think a lot of the underlying stuff is still pretty good. And uncharacteristically, he just hasn’t completed some of the plays that he normally completes. 

“I really don’t think there’s anything more in there than that. And I think we’re going to be looking at a shortstop next year who completes those plays at the rate we’re usually seeing him complete.” 

Marcus Semien is a “steadying force” but has not been steady at the plate.

In evaluating Semien’s season, Stearns praised the second baseman in just about every way except his bat. 

The 14-year veteran is a “consummate professional” who “does post every day,” “works incredibly hard,” and is “still a really good defender,” Stearns said. 

But such attributes are secondary considering Semien entered play with a .632 OPS that ranked 138th among 142 qualified hitters. 

“The offensive performance in its totality this year hasn’t been what he wants, hasn’t been what we would want,” Stearns said. “We’ve seen flashes.” 

Not enough of them in Semien’s first season in Queens after being swapped for Brandon Nimmo, who has hit better (.761 OPS) with the Rangers but had a lengthier contract and blocked outfield spots that are being used on Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. 

It is possible the Mets consider competition — either established major leaguers or rising prospects — for the second baseman next season, but Stearns did not sound as if he was about to recommend the club eat the $46 million due Semien over the next two years. 

“Who he is as a person, how he’s contributed to our team, from a work-ethic standpoint,” Stearns said, “it’s been outstanding.” 

Jorge Polanco’s status: “TBD” 

Brought in to assume the bulk of the work Pete Alonso left behind, Polanco played two games at first base and will enter next spring as a mystery defensively. 

Having undergone ankle surgery last month for an injury that hampered him all season, Polanco’s status defensively will be “TBD,” Stearns said, until the Mets see how he is moving and how he recovers. 

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Jorge is he’s going to work incredibly hard to do everything in his power to be a good player for us next year,” Stearns said. “I think he will be.” 

Owed $23 million next year, Polanco’s would be a difficult contract to move, especially because his bat — which most attracted the Mets — never awoke, perhaps because of the ankle, hitting .148 with a .431 OPS in 37 games. 

“Clearly it did not work out the way we anticipated this year,” Stearns said. 

Jared Young’s modest breakout “is real.” 

Polanco’s brutal season has opened a door that Young stepped through. 

A 31-year-old who had not proven himself in the majors and played in South Korea in 2024, Young has held his own defensively at first base and hit well enough — particularly against righties, against whom he entered play with a .799 OPS and eight homers in 243 plate appearances — to make himself an option for next season, maybe as half of a platoon at first. 

“This is a good hitter, and it’s someone who we thought of as a good hitter going back to last year,” Stearns said. “We just couldn’t get him the consistent runway at the big league level. 

“But he’s done it for a prolonged stretch now. We think it’s real — he controls the strike zone well, he gives you constantly good at-bats, he understands game situations. He’s a good player, and I think he’s demonstrated that.”