New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns shared parts of his offseason vision at today’s MLB GM meetings.
Stearns said improving the pitching staff and first base is the priority, and that he doesn’t expect to add at second base, per Anthony DiComo. Marcus Semien, Brett Baty, and a group of top infield prospects are expected to be in the mix at second base in 2027.
The Mets’ pursuit of Tarik Skubal is heating up, while Ty France highlightsfree-agent first basemen.
Stearns added that
he didn’t want to shut the door on any position, but second base wasn’t a specific position the front office is targeting in free agency.
Semien got the bulk of the work at second base in 2026, playing 139 games there. Semien’s age-35 season was disappointing, with stark declines in his advanced fielding metrics, not to mention the basic eye test. Semien was in the 94th percentile or better in outs above average in 2022-25, but was in the 5th percentile in 2026. His offensive numbers were also down across the board.
Baty played at second base in 25 games last season and was also disappointing overall. Streaky at the plate and unable to lock down an everyday spot, a breakout season for Baty remains a hope and a dream.
If Semien and Baty remaining the top options at second base for the Mets in 2027 doesn’t exactly thrill you, fear not. DiComo’s reporting suggests prospects Jefferson Rojas, Émilien Pitre, and Mitch Voit could factor into the equation at second base. All three rank in the top 10 of the Mets farm system.
