3 third base scenarios for the Mets next year with Manny Machado off the board

Manny Machado didn’t keep it a secret from the San Diego Padres. He was going to use his opt-out at the end of the 2023 season and become a free agent again. Only days into Spring Training games being played, the New York Mets lost their shot at signing the star third baseman.

Machado has an 11-year deal worth $350 million. The ridiculous contract overtakes what the Mets are already paying Francisco Lindor. For as much credit and disdain as Steve Cohen gets for spending money, we need to tip our caps to the Padres for being just as outrageously courteous to the fans.

For the Mets, this means looking elsewhere for their future third base options. This year’s plans are set. What about the 2024 season and beyond?

1) NY Mets could continue with Brett Baty at third base and retain Eduardo Escobar

Everyone and their mother is hoping Brett Baty is the real deal. The young Mets prospect is likely to have an impact on the 2023 season to some degree. To what extent remains unknown. If he doesn’t seem quite ready, the Mets could always pick up the third year option on Escobar’s deal.

Escobar is signed through 2024 with a $500K buyout or a $9 million salary. It’s not so bad for a guy who could contribute as more of a part-time player. It’s not likely, though. There are much better ways to spend money. Plus, with another year of experience, Baty is probably going to close in on winning the third base job.

One hiccup in the Baty starting at third base next year plan could be his defense. Escobar isn’t exactly in the Gold Glove conversation. As long as his bat is doing its job, the Mets could look to fill out the bench with a more skilled defender. Or, you know, ask Luis Guillorme for help.

3) NY Mets could attempt to trade for Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon or someone similar

My first thought: what about the Mets trade for Kris Bryant and move him back to third base and have the Colorado Rockies pay a big part of his salary? Then I saw the numbers. No. Thank. You.

What about their current third baseman, Ryan McMahon? Younger, maybe on the rise, and already extended for a very reasonable amount, he’s an infielder with a good glove and the ability to play second base as well. His contract goes through the 2027 season with the highest salaries in those final two years at $16 million each.

This would be an absolute longshot. The Mets would have to give up something pretty good. Removing Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty from the table, it could mean surrendering someone else. Kevin Parada is far too valuable at the moment to trade away for McMahon. It is, however, exactly the type of player the Rockies should be asking for in exchange for McMahon.

The pitcher-needy Rockies wouldn’t find too many prospects they could fall in love with in the Mets’ system. Perhaps a deal centered more on the MLB-ready arms such as David Peterson and/or Tylor Megill makes more sense for them. McMahon hasn’t exactly taken off and done the Nolan Arenado thing in Colorado. Just a .244/.324/.427 hitter in his first 605 games spanning back to 2017 already, he’s a guy who hasn’t taken advantage of playing half of his games at Coors Field.

Clearly, the best case scenario for the Mets is to roll with Baty and maybe supplement the roster with a right-handed hitter just in case he isn’t so successful against lefties. With this in mind, a year of Gio Urshela wouldn’t be such an awful idea. But let’s root for Baty to grab the job.