The New York Mets made a splash by signing Jorge Polanco, but that doesn’t mean their plans at first base are set in stone-far from it. With Pete Alonso’s departure leaving a major void at the corner, the front office is still working through a series of options, some more convincing than others. And while Polanco adds versatility to the infield and switch-hitting depth to the lineup, his arrival doesn’t necessarily close the door on those swirling rumors involving Paul Goldschmidt and Jeff McNeil.
Let’s unpack what’s really going on here.
The Goldschmidt-McNeil Platoon: Still on the Table?
Last week, reports surfaced that the Mets were considering a platoon at first base involving McNeil and Goldschmidt. That idea raised some eyebrows-and for good reason.
McNeil has never been a natural fit at first, and while Goldschmidt has the pedigree, pairing the two in a timeshare doesn’t exactly scream long-term solution. It felt more like a patch job than a plan.
Now, with Polanco in the mix, that specific platoon concept might seem dead on arrival. But not so fast. If anything, Polanco’s signing may have just reshuffled the deck, not cleared the table entirely.
Too Many Infielders, Not Enough Clarity
Stacking McNeil, Polanco, and Goldschmidt on the same roster creates a bit of an infield logjam. There’s overlap in skill sets, defensive limitations, and not a whole lot of positional flexibility between them. That kind of roster construction can get clunky fast, especially when none of the three are natural first basemen.
So, what’s the play here? One scenario that makes some sense: the Mets could look to move McNeil via trade, clearing space for Goldschmidt to step in as the everyday first baseman. That would give Polanco more room to operate in the infield or serve as the designated hitter, depending on matchups.
Polanco at First? That’s a Stretch
Let’s be real-Polanco isn’t moving to first base full-time. He’s logged just one career inning at the position, and in that brief cameo, he didn’t even record a chance. His defensive track record is spotty at best, and asking him to suddenly take on a new position in his 30s, especially one as nuanced as first base, feels like wishful thinking more than a legitimate strategy.
More likely, Polanco will see time as a DH, where his switch-hitting bat can still provide value without compromising the defense. Against left-handed pitching, Goldschmidt could take over at first with Polanco sliding into the DH role.
Against righties, the Mets could get creative-maybe Polanco plays first, or perhaps someone like Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio steps in. Mauricio, in particular, has shown promise against right-handers and could be an intriguing internal option.
Does This Fit the Mets’ Defensive Vision?
If the Mets are serious about improving their run prevention-and that’s been a stated goal-Polanco doesn’t exactly check that box. His glove has been a liability for most of his career, and there’s little evidence to suggest he’ll suddenly become a defensive asset at first base or anywhere else.
That makes the rest of the offseason even more important. If Polanco is going to be part of the offensive engine, the Mets will need to shore up their defense elsewhere-especially in the outfield.
Adding a premium defender who can also rake, like Kyle Tucker, would go a long way toward balancing the roster. In that scenario, the Polanco signing becomes much easier to justify.
It’s all about the big picture.
Final Thoughts
The Polanco signing gives the Mets options, but it also raises questions. Is this the first move in a larger plan, or a stopgap while they figure things out?
Goldschmidt remains a potential fit, but only if the Mets are willing to make the necessary roster moves to accommodate him. McNeil’s future hangs in the balance, and the team’s defensive identity is still very much under construction.
One thing’s for sure: the Mets aren’t done yet. And with the hot stove still burning, the next few weeks could tell us a lot about how serious this team is about contending in 2026.