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The New York Mets have now missed the postseason in back-to-back years and president of baseball operations David Stearns must turn things around in a hurry if he hopes to live out his entire five-year contract. For that, major changes are needed for the Mets to get back to winning in 2027.
In this story we will take a look at three players from this past season, who shouldn't be starting next year if the Mets want to reach the playoffs again. Let's dive into this list of which players should lose their starting jobs next season.
Marcus Semien
It never made sense when Stearns swapped Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien in a trade with the Texas Rangers last offseason. While the move ultimately cleared room for rookie center fielder A.J. Ewing to emerge, which wasn't the initial plan, Semien's bat had been on the decline for several campaigns before coming to the Mets. And 2026 was no different -- Semien slashed .215/.280/.340 with a .620 OPS, 74 OPS+, 15 home runs, 49 RBI and just a 0.5 bWAR.
Semien is 36-years-old and is still owed around $50 million across the next two seasons combined. However, he cannot be the Mets' starting second baseman in 2027. The Mets would be better off bringing in a different option via free agency or trade, or potentially adding a stopgap at the position until Mitch Voit or Jefferson Rojas are ready for the majors.
Sean Manaea
Although it was hard to argue with the Mets re-signing Sean Manaea to a three-year, $75 million deal after the 2024 season, it has proven to be another Stearns mistake. Manaea has had back-to-back rough campaigns and there's no way the Mets can enter the 2027 season with the left-hander in their starting rotation.
Manaea will be 35 in February and is owed $25 million next season. The Mets will either have to bury him on the depth chart, despite being an expensive arm, or eat the money altogether. Manaea has produced a combined -0.5 bWAR the past two seasons and has lost velocity on his pitches. Stearns mentioned the need to upgrade the Mets' rotation heading into next season and Manaea's spot certainly should be replaced in 2027.
Mark Vientos
The final name on this list of players who should no longer be starting for the Mets anymore is an obvious one in Mark Vientos. The Mets tried to make Vientos into a first baseman this season and he was abysmal defensively at the position. He has also had back-to-back poor seasons at the plate after breaking out in 2024, so it wouldn't even be justified to roll with him as the everyday DH.
Vientos turns 27 in December and is certainly a candidate to be non-tendered this offseason. The only dilemma is that Vientos comes with several years of control still, and has tremendous power and potential with his bat. But the Mets might decide they have seen enough after two straight bad offensive seasons. At the very least, the Mets can't enter next season with Vientos in a starting spot on their roster.
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