Jorge Polanco signing doesn’t completely flush recent unsatisfying NY Mets rumors

Just because the New York Mets signed Jorge Polanco doesn’t mean one of the most recent unsatisfying rumors is over with. Last week, upon the loss of Pete Alonso, there were Mets rumors of one of the planned attacks at first base. It was about as weak as it can get.

Rather than go out and get a complete first baseman, the report was that the Mets could platoon Jeff McNeil and Paul Goldschmidt at first base. The Polanco signing erases this plan, but maybe not completely.

Don’t dump all of the water out of these Mets rumors

McNeil, Goldschmidt, and Polanco existing on one roster together seems a bit extreme. They can’t all co-exist. It’s just not reasonable. It has no flexibility. It doesn’t seem to make the team a whole lot better. What could happen is a trade of McNeil and signing of Goldschmidt.

Polanco’s one inning at first base in his career and zero chances doesn’t bode well for him to be the heaviest taker of innings at the position in 2026. He’s more of a DH than an actual defensive player. He’ll bring his glove to Citi Field, but to expect him to take on the bulk of starts at first base is an ambitious undertaking.

Because he is a switch hitter who can handle both sides of the plate, Polanco isn’t exactly ideal for a platoon. Consider this; what if Goldschmidt is the one to start at first base when the team plays lefties with Polanco sliding over to the DH exclusively in those instances? When the team faces a righty, Polanco and a different left-handed hitter could handle the position. Those possibilities are pretty endless with Brett Baty and even switch hitter Ronny Mauricio who has been pretty awesome against right-handed pitchers as internal choices.

If run prevention is truly at the top of what the Mets are trying to accomplish, Polanco fits on the hand like a three-fingered glove. He has been a bad defender throughout his career and doesn’t have any indication he’d transition well as a first baseman. 

Equally frustrating as it is exciting, this signing for the Mets has left a lot open. Goldschmidt would be a half-hearted attempt to fill first base and require the Mets to go even bigger with whomever they choose to man left field. If the end result is Kyle Tucker, which can work in one specific scenario very well, it becomes easier to digest.