The Mets didn’t just tweak their roster heading into 2026 - they tore it down to the studs and rebuilt it with a clear vision. Gone are some of the most familiar faces in Flushing: Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil.
In their place? A reimagined infield that blends contact hitting, veteran savvy, and defensive upside in a way that signals a bold new chapter for the franchise.
Let’s take a closer look at how this infield is shaping up - and why it might be the key to a Mets resurgence.
Third Base: Bo Bichette Brings the Bat - and a Positional Shift
The Mets may have missed out on Kyle Tucker, but they didn’t leave the offseason empty-handed. Bo Bichette is the crown jewel of their winter, arriving on a three-year deal after a standout 2025 season where he slashed .311/.357/.483 with an .840 OPS. Simply put, Bichette barrels baseballs.
But here’s the twist: he’s not playing shortstop.
After struggling defensively at the position last year - ranking in the 1st percentile in Outs Above Average (OAA) - the Mets are moving Bichette to third base. It’s a calculated move. His elite bat, which ranked in the 98th percentile in Expected Batting Average (xBA) and 86th percentile in Strikeout Rate, stays in the lineup, while his defensive limitations are minimized at the hot corner.
This shift bumps Brett Baty into more of a utility role, with the Mets reportedly exploring a position change that could even include time in left field. It’s a bold reconfiguration, but with Bichette’s offensive ceiling, it’s easy to see why the Mets are betting big.
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor Remains the Rock
With so much change around him, Francisco Lindor remains the constant - and still one of the most complete players in the game. At 32, he just turned in another 30/30 season, launching 31 homers and stealing 31 bases while posting an .812 OPS.
Defensively, he’s still elite. Lindor ranked in the 90th percentile in OAA, continuing to lock down shortstop with Gold Glove-caliber range and instincts. Offensively, his Batting Run Value sits in the 83rd percentile, showing he’s not just a defensive anchor - he’s a legitimate two-way force.
Pairing Lindor’s glove with Bichette’s bat gives the Mets one of the most dangerous left sides of the infield in the National League. That’s not hyperbole - it’s a combination that could swing games.
Second Base: Marcus Semien Brings Leadership and Leather
The trade that sent Brandon Nimmo to Texas in exchange for Marcus Semien was a stunner. It wasn’t just a roster move - it was a culture shift.
Semien, now 35, isn’t the same offensive threat he was in his prime, posting a .230/.305/.364 line last season. But that’s not why he’s here.
Semien remains one of the best defensive second basemen in the game. He ranked in the 92nd percentile in OAA and 82nd percentile in Fielding Run Value, bringing elite glove work and a steady presence to the middle infield - a significant upgrade over the departed McNeil.
And while the bat has cooled, Semien still swiped 11 bags and posted an 86th percentile Baserunning Value. He’s not a star anymore, but he’s still a winning player - and the kind of veteran presence this new-look Mets clubhouse needs.
First Base: A Platoon Approach to Replacing Alonso
Let’s be clear: you don’t replace Pete Alonso with one guy. So the Mets aren’t even trying to - they’re going with a platoon instead, featuring veteran Jorge Polanco and young slugger Mark Vientos.
Polanco quietly had a strong 2025, mashing 26 homers with an .821 OPS. He’s one of the more efficient hitters in the game, ranking in the 89th percentile in Squared-Up %, which tells you how often he’s finding the barrel.
Vientos, on the other hand, brings raw power. He ranked in the 89th percentile in Hard-Hit % and 82nd in Average Exit Velocity, despite hitting just .233. He’s still developing, but the tools are loud - and the Mets are giving him a chance to grow into a bigger role.
Defensively, this duo won’t be winning any awards. Polanco (17th percentile OAA) and Vientos (6th percentile OAA) are both below average in the field.
But let’s not pretend Alonso was a defensive stalwart either. What the Mets lose with the glove, they may gain with a more balanced offensive attack.
What It All Means: A New Identity for the Infield - and the Team
This isn’t just a new infield - it’s a new identity. The Mets have pivoted away from the star-heavy, slug-first approach and built a group that’s deeper, more athletic, and more versatile. They’re elite up the middle with Lindor and Semien, and they’ve added a high-contact, high-impact bat in Bichette.
Sure, there are questions. Can Bichette handle third?
Can Semien stay productive at 35? Will the Polanco-Vientos platoon hold up over 162 games?
But the upside is there - and if things click, this infield could be the engine that powers a postseason run.
In a division that’s only getting tougher, the Mets aren’t playing it safe. They’re betting on a new formula - and they’re betting big.