Bo Bichette's arrival in Queens as a pivot from Kyle Tucker brought a spark to the Mets' offense, but his defensive role has sparked plenty of debate. With Francisco Lindor firmly holding down shortstop, Bichette's move to third base was expected, yet his spring training performance has been anything but consistent.
Manager Carlos Mendoza's strategy has been to keep Bichette at third while Brett Baty focuses on his offense as the designated hitter. This setup raised eyebrows from the start, and the exhibition games have only added to those concerns.
Baty, despite limited playing time last season, showed his value in the National League, ranking as the 26th most valuable player in the second half with just 190 plate appearances. His defensive prowess at third base is notable, with positive metrics in Outs Above Average (+2) and Defensive Runs Saved (+4) over 573 innings.
In contrast, Bichette's defensive struggles are well-documented. His career marks of -32 Outs Above Average and -19 Defensive Runs Saved paint a clear picture. While shortstop demands more defensively than third base, Baty's glove work makes him the obvious choice for the hot corner.
Switching a star player like Bichette to designated hitter isn't a simple task, as history has shown with cases like Rafael Devers and the Red Sox. The key question is whether there's an understanding that Bichette would remain at third throughout his contract, despite defensive concerns.
The Mets' optimal lineup seems clear: Baty at third and Bichette as DH. Yet, the hesitation to make this move suggests there may be more at play than meets the eye. The hope is that the situation doesn't escalate, but the Mets must weigh the benefits of a defensive upgrade against any potential off-field agreements or expectations.