Recent NY Mets history mustn't repeat with Brett Baty's potential role change

Somewhere along the lines, the phrase “history repeating itself” changed to something about history rhyming. Nothing ever happens exactly the same. There are just similarities. We get the feeling of deja vu when it happens. Right now, it’s beginning to feel like the New York Mets are inching toward a possibility of it with Brett Baty.

Usurped at third base by the signing of Bo Bichette, the Mets have a Baty decision to make. Do they send him packing in a trade or hold onto him for another year in more of a utility role?

First base is always an option. If they’re bold enough to put Bichette at the hot corner and give Jorge Polanco a try at first base, why not Baty, too? He can give them added protection at third base and second base, too. What they shouldn’t do is revisit the failed Dominic Smith experiment in left field to any large degree. The Athletic's Will Sammon has reported they plan to have Baty take on the Jeff McNeil role. The same way we hardly saw McNeil play third base in recent years, Baty should only head to the outfield grass to try catching a Texas Leaguer.

The Mets shouldn’t even think about making Brett Baty a regular in left field

This is the same team that has hesitated to put Luisangel Acuna in center field last year when they desperately needed a solution. Would they be so daring as to put Baty in left field? One inning at the position in 2023 and another 249 in the minor leagues, we’re long past trying to turn Baty into something he doesn’t need to be.

Baty can certainly be a left field option. It’s hypocritical to see Acuna as a center field candidate without keeping an open mind about Baty in what is often regarded as the weakest position for an outfielder. You don’t need the range of a center fielder or arm of a right fielder. Left fielders are future first basemen. Let’s skip that step and just stick Baty on the infield where he can be far more useful. Teach him left field, but never ask him to play it unless you actually need to.

The Mets didn’t heed this advice back when the National League had no DH and there was no other way to get Smith regular playing time with Pete Alonso around. Even in small samples, he rated poorly as a left fielder. His -9 OAA in 2021 was the topper.

Baty proved he can handle second best well enough last year. Left field shouldn’t be in the instruction manual, just another insane pivot to leave in the cupboard unless absolutely necessary.