Juan Soto and 3 other NY Mets players we’d like to see take ground balls at first base

Who’s on first? It’s a question the New York Mets will need to answer this offseason. Jared Young has looked good there, but to expect him to keep up with the production he has put together in 2026 yet again in 2027 and do nothing to improve the depth would be a mistake.

The Mets will have Jorge Polanco around, somewhat unwillingly. It wouldn’t hurt to have a few more options built in.

Before the 2026 season is over, these four players need to get a first baseman’s mitt for an inning.

Four Mets players who need to take some ground balls at first base this season

1) Juan Soto

Everyone seems to think there’s a good chance Juan Soto ends up at first base before his Mets contract is over with. That seems to be the theme with any outfielder who puts up below average defensive numbers. While not atrocious this year as a left fielder, he’s still not a strong enough defender. First base is in his future with maybe one game this year just to test the waters. Coming off of two calf injuries, one currently sidelining him, this could be a good phase one of a slow transition to first base. Maybe Soto falls in love with it. The Mets have done everything in their power to make Soto comfortable and happy. From an appearance this year to a handful in 2027 and something closer to half of the time in 2028, now is the time to experiment.

2) Francisco Alvarez

Francisco Alvarez is not a major league catcher and with the team investing so heavily into defense, seeing what he can possibly do at first base wouldn’t be an unwise decision. I’d have my doubts he’s great immediately. However, as one more way to keep his bat in the lineup rather than just tossing him in as the DH, this can add some flexibility to the Mets lineup while also giving them the superior catcher behind the plate. If the Mets are really going to keep Alvarez and Luis Torrens, they gain more with Alvarez being able to at least play acceptable defense somewhere else. First base is the only choice.

3) Marcus Semien

This is a little more off-the-wall because Marcus Semien isn’t far removed from winning Gold Gloves at second base. After taking such a mammoth step back this year, he might just be a natural fit to transition into a first base candidate even if it’s on an irregular basis. The thought that a good defender at one position should be able to field first base isn’t exclusive to the Mets. With depleted range this year, moving him off of second base by the time his contract is up (if he makes it that far) could always have him landing at first base by 2028 with one of several different prospects pushing him out.

4) Ronny Mauricio

There’s no future for Ronny Mauricio with the Mets unless he somehow manages to become a contender for the first base job. Agile enough to play shortstop with the height it takes to be a first baseman, the Mets have tried much worse defenders at the position and failed. This journey would need to begin in Triple-A as there simply seems to be fewer opportunities for him in the major leagues. Already out of options by the time we get to 2027, it’s a last ditch effort to maybe carve out a role for him although I’d have my doubts he could even come close to replicating what Young can do.

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