The Mets’ first-base problem didn’t disappear when they added Jorge Polanco, and it’s easy to see why the front office still has work to do there. New York got the worst fWAR from first basemen in the league this season at -1.4, a number shaped by the struggles of Polanco and Mark Vientos, even if Jared Young gave the group a needed lift when he got his chances.
Young’s bat wasn’t enough to erase the Pete Alonso-sized hole, but it did give the Mets something usable. He put together a .266/.330/.429 line with a 111 wRC+, which is solid enough to build on.
The bigger issue is that his production came with a clear split. Against right-handed pitching, Young delivered a .793 OPS and 120 wRC+, but he was far less reliable versus lefties, posting a .606 OPS and 72 wRC+.
That’s why the idea of pairing him with a left-handed thumper keeps coming up, and Ty France stands out as the kind of free agent the Mets could chase. France checks a lot of boxes.
He’s a Gold Glove winner at first base, and he just had the best offensive season of his career with the San Diego Padres. In 500 plate appearances, he hit 21 homers and posted a 141 wRC+, while handling both sides of the platoon split with a .869 OPS against righties and a .853 OPS against lefties.
SNY called him a perfect “under the radar” fit for New York this offseason.
The catch is obvious: the Mets may have the money, but they may not have the job France wants. The Padres are dealing with serious financial constraints despite new ownership, so money is not expected to be the issue.
Playing time is. France became a fan-favorite star in 2026 on a playoff-caliber team, and walking away from that for a platoon role on a retooling Mets club in New York probably won’t be an easy sell.
Even with that, the door isn’t fully closed. France was openly mulling retirement last year, so a starting job and the security that comes with it could matter more than a pure dollar figure. But if the Mets are serious about building around Young at first base, France would have to accept a shared role.
And if the Mets want a platoon bat who fits that description even better, there are other paths. Paul Goldschmidt, for one, has done that job well in recent years, and he’d also satisfy David Stearns’ annual habit of grabbing former Yankees.
In Other News...
Mets Look Ready To Move On From Mark Vientos For Good
Mark Vientos has become one of the more obvious names to watch as the Mets look ahead, especially with several clubs around the league trying to patch holes at first base or designated hitter. Arizona, San Diego and Cleveland each make some sense as landing spots because each has a need that Vientos could help fill, and for a team looking to trim costs, his profile could be attractive enough to keep in the conversation even without a big market bidding war.
For the Mets, the bigger picture is less about one specific trade partner than the sense that a change may be coming sooner rather than later. None of the interest being floated is confirmed, and theres no official transaction on the board yet, but the fit with those three teams does underline how movable Vientos could be if New York decides to keep reshaping the roster around other priorities. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Reunion Could Shape The Next Step For Several Key Bats
The Mets are at a familiar crossroads on the hitting side, with the club scheduled to meet with Kevin Long about a possible role on the staff. Long is no stranger to Queens, having guided the lineup during the teams 2015 World Series run, and he arrives on the market after being let go by the Phillies following five seasons in Philadelphia.
His possible return comes at an important moment for a group of bats that still need direction, especially after the Mets moved on from director of hitting Jeff Albert after the regular season. If Long ends up back in the organization, his presence could have real impact on the development paths of players like Brett Baty, A.J. Ewing and Jared Young, which is why this interview could matter well beyond a routine coaching search. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Took A Big Center Field Gamble And Fans Can Finally Judge It
When the Mets made the move to bring in Luis Robert Jr. to man center field, the idea was straightforward: stabilize a premium defensive spot and get more offense out of it. Instead, back issues sent Robert to the Injured List for a significant stretch, and A.J. Ewing quietly went from fill-in to everyday center fielder while the club waited for the original plan to sort itself out.
By the time Robert was ready to return, the Mets had already made their choice about where the long-term value was. Ewings role only grew in Roberts absence, and the organization ultimately let Robert go on waivers to the Orioles rather than hold onto a player tied to a $20 million option. It left New York with a clearer picture of the gamble it took in center field, even if the final evaluation will keep unfolding from here. [Read more 🡒]