Mets: Five ways Andres Gimenez can fit into the team’s future plans

Starting Third Baseman

I only like the idea of putting Gimenez as the starting third baseman for one reason: his glove. Defense is not something the Mets have valued much. Having a vacuum cleaner at the hot corner could help them out immensely.

Jeff McNeil is the current starting third baseman. Unfortunately, he hasn’t looked like a Gold Glove candidate there.

McNeil’s natural position is second base and I believe it’s there or one of the corner outfield positions he is best suited for. If he ends up in a corner outfield spot, there’s a whole lot of movement the Mets may have to make in order to get this to work. Putting him at second base is a little easier. He goes there, Cano goes to the DH spot, and Gimenez becomes the club’s third baseman.

This doesn’t fit into the idea that a team’s third baseman needs to be one of their best hitters. I wouldn’t worry so much about that. McNeil’s bat at second base is better than what many teams have and more than makes up for any lack of power Gimenez may give the team at third base.

Oh, and one more thing about putting Gimenez at third base. What about all of the other options out there?

Third base is an incredibly deep position around the league. Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, and others have all hit the trade block at some point. Over the past two seasons, we’ve even seen Manny Machado and Anthony Rendon become free agents.

Gimenez is a good defender but compared to those guys, he’s a backup. Third base could end up as Gimenez’s position for a short period of time. A chance to acquire any of those names mentioned or equivalent players would immediately put him back on the bench.