A 7-word phrase the NY Mets and the fans can't get guilty of overusing in 2026

The two-word phrase for the New York Mets offseason which set all expectations was "run prevention." By saying them out loud, David Stearns set a specific expectation for the winter. Defense would be paramount.

The Mets didn't lean into that philosophy entirely. We're looking for Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco to learn new positions and just be average. The exact opposite applies for Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr. Defensive stalwarts with more questions about their bats than leather, fans and the organization need to be careful about overusing a 7-word phrase for those two.

As long as he plays great defense...

It's the kind of excuse you make for Tyrone Taylor or Luisangel Acuna. As long as either of them played good defense, they had a regular spot in Mets games. That's not good enough for Robert and Semien. They need to deliver far more.

There's a good chance the Mets have to ride out a long year with both underachieving at the plate. They can survive one disappointment. Two can become too great to handle.

The pair have each underachieved at the plate in the last two seasons. Robert is batting .223/.288/.372 from 2024-25. Semien is at .234/.307/.379 in those two seasons combined. Those are the kinds of numbers you accept out of your number nine hitter, not a pair of $20+ million players capable of being so much more.

Great defense isn’t the barometer we should set for either. It’s the absolute bare minimum and a potentially disastrous result if that’s all we get from both. The Mets can survive a repeat of what the pair have been doing if the rest of the lineup carries the load.

Rookie Carson Benge could even end up lumped in with Robert and Semien. His incredible upside should have him as an important part of the offense. In year one, the minimum is the same as it is for Robert and Semien: as long as he plays great defense.

Defense isn’t overrated, just difficult to fully measure and sometimes appreciate. You notice when players make highlights. You never forget epic flubs. This new Mets duo with Gold Glove track records will give New York something to look forward to on the run prevention front. We shouldn’t settle for this minimum as good enough.