A short-term NY Mets first base plan has its perks and consequences

There are several directions for the New York Mets to go at first base next season. Re-signing Pete Alonso is the most expensive option and the best direction to go. Staying in house, moving Mark Vientos across the diamond to first base has appeal, too. This does open up third base with a competition likely to brew between some young players and perhaps a veteran addition if not only the latter.

Several first base options would require a free agent deal extending beyond 2025. Christian Walker has no business for settling. A guy like Carlos Santana, coming off a Gold Glove season and some of his usual productive offensive numbers, is an intriguing option.

Is it the best one though? There is a benefit to a short-term first base plan. It’s not without its scratches.

The benefits and flaws to a short-term plan at first base for the Mets

If looking for a placeholder at first base this coming year, the Mets have plenty of options. As unappealing as some may be (Paul Goldschmidt is more done than Thanksgiving turkey), spending smaller at this position can allow the Mets to leave space open for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. next offseason.

Already the most talked about free agent of the 2025-2026 offseason, trade speculation has been rampant just as it was with Alonso starting in mid-2023. The Toronto Blue Jays will do everything in their power to extend him if Juan Soto signs elsewhere.

Waiting on any particular player to reach free agency is never the move to make. Remember when Steve Cohen was going to sign Mookie Betts? He never got the opportunity. Betts was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers and handed a contract before he even became available. The same outcome is one to expect with Guerrero whether it’s with the Blue Jays or someone else.

A short-term commitment doesn’t even need to necessarily have a future plan in mind. A rental for a season can allow the Mets to closely track the progress of two important young players. Growth as a defensive player at third base can have the club shifting toward not making a positional change for Vientos. They can also closely monitor what the outlook of Ryan Clifford is. The 21-year-old jacked 18 home runs in 405 Double-A plate appearances this past year. About half of his starts came as a first baseman. The other half were split pretty much equally in both corner outfield spots with some appearances at DH. An early conclusion: he’s going to drop a lot of those outfield appearances.

An inexpensive first baseman for a year with a focus on improving the defense on the infield isn’t unwise. There are much better choices at this position from outside of the organization than there are at third base where it’s Alex Bregman and then everyone else. Bregman isn’t quite the same superstar caliber player he was earlier on in his career either. 

The Mets need two bats added to the roster this offseason. Soto and a more average short-term option at first base isn’t so horrendous. Just don’t give us a slew of additions on the level of Frankie Montas. One is fine. A whole roster full of bounceback candidates isn’t going to work.