The New York Mets are facing a potential early-season curveball, and it’s coming from a key spot on the diamond. On Tuesday, the team announced that Francisco Lindor is dealing with an injury that could jeopardize his availability for Opening Day. For a club with postseason aspirations and a lot of money invested in its core, that’s not the kind of news you want as spring training looms.
Lindor, the heartbeat of the Mets’ infield and a cornerstone both offensively and defensively, has been a steady presence at shortstop. Losing him, even for a short stretch, would be a significant blow-not just because of what he brings with the glove and the bat, but because of the ripple effect it could have on the rest of the roster.
Naturally, the first question that comes to mind is: if Lindor can’t go, who steps in?
Bo Bichette’s name might seem like a logical answer at first glance. He’s been a shortstop his entire big league career with the Blue Jays, and he’s got the pedigree. But when he signed his three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets, it came with a clear understanding-he was coming to play third base.
That’s a big shift for Bichette. He’s never played third at the professional level, and while some teams reportedly kicked around the idea of moving him to second base, the consensus has been that his defense at shortstop leaves something to be desired. The Mets knew what they were getting, and it wasn’t a Lindor insurance policy.
According to Mets insider Michael Baron, the team isn’t planning to slide Bichette back over to shortstop. Instead, they’re looking at four internal options to hold things down if Lindor isn’t ready: Vidal Bruján, Jackson Cluff, Grae Kessinger, and Ronny Mauricio.
Each brings something different to the table. Mauricio is the most intriguing bat of the group-he’s got pop and upside, and he’s shown flashes of being a real contributor at the plate. But the glove work from the others, especially Cluff and Kessinger, might give them an edge if the Mets prioritize defense up the middle.
Bruján, for his part, brings speed and versatility. He’s bounced around the infield and outfield in his young career, and while he may not have the same ceiling as Mauricio, he could be a useful stopgap.
Still, the ideal scenario for the Mets is simple: Lindor gets healthy, and this becomes a footnote rather than a headline. Until then, the front office and coaching staff will be weighing their options carefully-balancing defense, offense, and long-term development as they consider who might be the best fit in a temporary starting role.
Meanwhile, Bichette will continue his crash course at third base. It’s a major adjustment for a player who’s spent his entire pro career at short, but the Mets are betting on his athleticism and work ethic to make the transition stick. If he can settle in quickly, it’ll go a long way toward stabilizing the left side of the infield-regardless of who’s standing next to him on Opening Day.