Once the Mets offseason plan became clear and through spring training, a key question they faced was how to handle first base.
The early returns have been perhaps worse than anyone could have imagined.
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Try it freeJorge Polanco, signed to a two-year, $40 million contract with the hopes that he could transition from the middle of the infield to first base, has been hurt most of the season and played poorly when on the field.
Brett Baty, introduced to the position during spring training, has been inconsistent in the field and at the plate. He’s shown flashes of his lefty power, but ended an 0-for-10 skid going 1-for-3 in Wednesday’s 14-2 loss to Washington at Citi Field.
And then there’s Mark Vientos, who has struggled badly on both sides of the ball, looking to recapture at least the power he displayed two years ago, which seems to be more and more of a distant memory.
Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) falls off the bag, allowing a batter on during the ninth inning when the New York Mets played the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY PostAltogether, they entered Wednesday with the fourth-worst OPS at the position this season (.581), a year after Pete Alonso helped them to the second-best OPS in the majors (.861).
Neither has stood out defensively, either.
And according to FanGraphs, the group has the second-lowest WAR (-0.5).
Asked about the spot, Carlos Mendoza said the duo of Baty and Vientos has “handled the position fine,” adding Vientos has been OK defensively.
But the manager acknowledged: “Offensively, we expect more.”
In fairness, the lack of production has been a failure of almost the entire lineup — not just at first base.
Jorge Polanco (11) throws out Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O’Hearn at first base during the seventh inning of a baseball game. AP
Pete Alonso of the Baltimore Orioles blows on his finger gun as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run. Getty Images- CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS
But it’s felt there especially, since they had such a consistent threat at first with Alonso.
“They took a strength and made it a weakness,’’ one National League scout said. “I think Baty can hit, but he shouldn’t be at first base. If they had just kept him at third, where he looked comfortable last year, I think he would have come on at the plate. But they’re making it harder on him, all to get another guy who’s out of position [former shortstop Bo Bichette] into the lineup.”
Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) fields a throw during the first inning when the New York Mets played the Pittsburgh Pirates. Robert Sabo for NY PostWith Polanco nursing both a right wrist contusion and Achilles discomfort — and considered week to week by David Stearns — the Mets figure to go with Baty and Vientos.
“We signed Polanco to play there and he’s had health issues,’’ Mendoza said.
