Francisco Lindor’s WBC Absence Highlights a Growing Dilemma in International Baseball
When the World Baseball Classic rosters dropped, Mets fans had every reason to be excited. Seventeen players from the organization were set to represent their countries on the global stage-an impressive number that speaks to the depth of talent in Queens.
But the biggest story wasn’t who made the list. It was who didn’t.
Francisco Lindor, the heart and soul of Team Puerto Rico and one of the WBC’s most electric figures, won’t be suiting up this time around. And it’s not because he didn’t want to.
Lindor was all in-ready to lead, ready to compete, ready to wear his country’s colors with pride. But insurance regulations had other plans.
Following a recent elbow debridement procedure, Lindor was deemed too high-risk to insure, effectively sidelining him from international play. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a player whose passion for representing Puerto Rico has never been in question.
In a heartfelt message to fans, Lindor didn’t hide his disappointment. This wasn’t a business decision on his part-it was a forced absence that clearly stung.
For Puerto Rico, the loss is more than just a hit to the lineup. Lindor brings energy, leadership, and star power that few players in the tournament can match.
His absence leaves a noticeable void-not just in the middle infield, but in the spirit of the team. And for the tournament as a whole, it’s another reminder of how the balance between player safety and competitive integrity continues to evolve.
After Edwin Díaz’s devastating injury in 2023, it’s clear that insurers are erring on the side of caution, even if it means keeping healthy, eager stars like Lindor off the field.
From the Mets’ perspective, there’s a quiet upside. Lindor stays close to camp, avoids the grind of tournament travel and high-stakes matchups, and enters the season fully focused on the team’s goals. Still, there’s no sugarcoating it-this one hurts for Lindor, for Puerto Rico, and for fans who look forward to seeing the game’s biggest names shine on the international stage.
Why the Mets Refused to Trade Jonah Tong-and What That Says About His Future
When the Mets pulled off the trade for Freddy Peralta, it was a statement move. They needed a frontline starter to anchor the rotation, and Peralta brings exactly that-experience, durability, and the kind of stuff that plays deep into October.
But the most telling part of the deal wasn’t who the Mets gave up. It was who they didn’t.
Milwaukee reportedly pushed hard for Jonah Tong, and Mets president David Stearns wouldn’t even entertain the idea. That’s not a throwaway detail. It’s a clear signal that the organization sees Tong as more than just a promising arm-he’s a foundational piece of their future.
At just 22, Tong is still refining his game, but the raw tools are impossible to ignore. His fastball doesn’t light up the radar gun, but it moves in a way that makes it incredibly tough to barrel.
Even during a rocky MLB debut, that pitch flashed elite traits. Add in a Vulcan changeup that already looks like a legitimate out pitch, and you’ve got the makings of something special.
The issue, for now, is predictability. Without a reliable breaking ball, big-league hitters sat on the fastball and made him pay.
That’s the gap between potential and polish-and it’s exactly what the Mets are working to close. Tong is expected to start the season in Triple-A Syracuse, where the focus will be on sharpening his curveball and expanding his pitch mix.
If that third pitch clicks, the ceiling jumps dramatically-from intriguing prospect to potential rotation leader.
It’s worth noting that other arms in the system, like Brandon Sproat, may offer a steadier floor. But Tong’s upside is what sets him apart.
He’s got the kind of profile that front offices dream on-movement, deception, and an advanced feel for pitching that belies his age. That’s why Stearns wouldn’t budge.
Tong isn’t just part of the plan-he might be central to it.
Bo Bichette’s Arrival Could Be the Final Piece-If the Glove Holds Up
The Mets didn’t just need another bat this offseason-they needed the right bat. Someone who could slot into the lineup and instantly raise the floor.
Someone pitchers couldn’t pitch around. Someone dependable.
That’s exactly what they’re hoping they’ve found in Bo Bichette.
After a nightmare 2024, Bichette came back with a vengeance in 2025, hitting .306 and showing the kind of plate discipline and consistency that made him one of the game’s most promising young hitters in the first place. His resurgence wasn’t just a hot streak-it was backed up by advanced metrics that placed him among the league’s elite in expected batting average and run value. He doesn’t strike out much, he barrels the ball, and he gives the lineup a much-needed dose of reliability.
But as good as the bat has been, the glove is another story. Bichette’s declining range, speed, and arm strength have made shortstop a tough sell defensively.
That’s why the Mets are likely to shift him to third base-a move that comes with risk, but also real upside. If the transition works, they’ve got a productive bat locked into a position that’s been a revolving door.
If it doesn’t, they’ll have to get creative.
Either way, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Bichette-not just in terms of how he hits, but where he fits. The Mets are betting that his offensive value outweighs his defensive limitations. And if they’re right, he could be the final piece in a roster that’s quietly built itself into a serious contender.
Bottom Line
The Mets are entering 2026 with a mix of star power, strategic patience, and high-upside youth. Lindor’s absence from the WBC is a tough blow for international baseball, but it keeps him fresh for the grind ahead.
Jonah Tong is staying put because the organization sees something special. And Bo Bichette?
If the glove holds up, he might just be the missing piece that ties it all together.