The NY Mets rumors we’ll be happiest the team spiked into the ground

An offseason full of New York Mets rumors and maybe the winner for the worst one involved a first base plan in lieu of Pete Alonso. Between Alonso going to the Baltimore Orioles and Jorge Polanco coming to the Mets, there was speculation of a first base platoon that would have left us taking a knee on the 2026 season.

The rumor? Jeff McNeil and Paul Goldschmidt sharing first base duties. How incredibly lopsided would this have felt? The head and the heart hate it.

If you weren't aware of this once existing rumor, apologies for ruining your day. You've probably lost a little trust in David Stearns for this to ever even be a consideration. Or maybe it was all a part of the early offseason smokescreen. In which case, bravo.

Out of all of the Mets rumors, this would have felt like intentional grounding more than anything else

Okay, so Goldschmidt wouldn’t be the absolute worst fit for the Mets. In their current incarnation, with Polanco, he’s a bit redundant. Give me what Mark Vientos can potentially do over the last sips Goldschmidt can offer. Please!

Goldschmidt can still smash left-handed pitchers. His power is diminishing, his defensive abilities are fading, and his $4 million from the New York Yankees this offseason is about right for what he can do.

Then there’s McNeil. Someone we all believed would get traded by the Mets was dealt. If there’s one thing that would have been absolutely wasteful to do with him it would have been regular appearances at first base. McNeil’s defensive versatility goes entirely to waste as a first baseman. Second base or a corner outfield spot is where he belongs most. First base works in a pinch.

The first base plan for the Mets remains slightly unclear with continued trade rumors involving Vientos. We know Polanco is a big part of the plan, but they’ve asserted nothing and there are other opportunities. One could include trading Vientos and signing free agent Ty France.

The key to a good platoon is for the players to land correctly in the role. From an offensive standpoint, Goldschmidt pairs well with a lefty who dominates against right-handed pitchers. That has never been who McNeil was. He was more balanced.

Fortunately, this plan never got a first down. It would have been a devastatingly weak transition away from the franchise’s best slugger. Fortunately, it never dragged on for long.