5 NY Mets players whose future can change most after the Bo Bichette signing

4) Ronny Mauricio

So, what happens with Ronny Mauricio? The Mets have always seemed likely to send him to Triple-A to begin the year. They’ll use that final minor league option and try to develop him a little further as a more complete player. Maybe he learns some first base. Maybe, if they trade Baty, Mauricio spends a long time in Triple-A playing the hot corner to eventually take over the job from Bichette should he opt-out after the 2026 season.

It has become an either/or with Mauricio and Baty. There’s little reason to keep both. Mauricio is a switch hitter who can’t hit left-handed pitchers. What purpose does that serve the Mets?

Experienced at shortstop, Mauricio is a better-hitting version of Acuna but not as quick and weaker defensively. Mauricio is the kind of guy the Mets would love to see lead with his bat. He hasn’t quite caught up and in large part due to the limited opportunities he has received. That dirty, rotten injury in the Winter League after the 2023 season really set him back.

If the Mets are in an “all-in” type of mood for 2026, Mauricio would be the guy to trade. He’s probably in need of a little more time in the minors. Still, he could end up as the best of the pack of prospects that continue to suggest they are future stars one month and completely fall apart the next.