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Current Mets second base options for the 2022 season

By Tim Boyle |
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In the greatest baseball lineup of all time, Who was on first and What was on second. The New York Mets won’t go the Abbott and Costello route with their 2022 lineup. They’ll have someone other than What playing second base when the season begins.

Right now, it’s unclear exactly which big leaguer will open the season at the position. When the offseason began, Javier Baez was a possibility. He has since joined the Detroit Tigers, prematurely ending the double-play combination up the middle with potential to become the greatest in Mets history.

With Opening Day around the corner, down the street, another mile up a hill, and a county or so over, there’s time to consider a variety of options. Internally and externally, these seem to be the best options to start at second base for the Mets on Opening Day 2022.

NY Mets second base candidate: Jeff McNeil

Jeff McNeil has to be the clear favorite to start at second base for the Mets merely because he is there and the most recent guy on the roster to play the position on a regular basis. Even if it means pairing him up with Lindor again, it may be the best thing the Mets can do.

McNeil has emerged as a stronger trade candidate in the last few weeks. Details about the “ratcoon” incident coming out played a larger role into this. Although, the water may have truly passed under the bridge and things between him and Lindor could be good again.

Compared to J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith, McNeil may also provide the Mets with their greatest trade chip. He’s coming off a down year but teams have been interested in the past and nothing should change too drastically. He’s going to get significant playing time somewhere in 2022. As of right now, it’s at second base for the Mets.

Ask again in a few months and the answer could be very different.

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New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies / Mitchell Leff/GettyImages

NY Mets second base candidate: Robinson Cano

It seems that Robinson Cano will be back with the Mets in 2022. Following his year-long suspension, the veteran second base is coming back with something to prove.

If you believe there will be a DH when baseball returns, Cano seems to fit in as a regular in this role. He shouldn’t throw out his glove for good, but for him to get the bulk of the starts at second base next season could be a mistake.

Those with little faith McNeil will return in 2022 have to then believe Cano will begin the year as the team’s starting second baseman. It’s not what anyone wants to see. He broke the cardinal rule of baseball: don’t cheat.

Not only did Cano take PEDs and get caught, he did it all over again. It’s hard to forgive such arrogance.

The downside to Cano not playing regularly is that the Mets will have over $20 million invested in one player riding the pine. It’s a waste of payroll and a roster space, particularly if it hinders future moves.

The front office has done nothing to indicate Cano will be shown out the door prior to next season beginning. Unless they reach outside the organization to add another player, it seems like he's the next guy in line after McNeil.

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Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers / Justin Casterline/GettyImages

NY Mets second base candidate: Eduardo Escobar

What if the Mets signed Eduardo Escobar to play second base? It’s not too big of a leap to make. The team could always add a third baseman and leapfrog Escobar over shortstop from third base and implant him at second.

Escobar has played far more third base and shortstop in his career than he has second base. It’s a spot where he actually has some of his better defensive numbers. Understandably so, second base isn’t as rigorous as the two infield spots on the left side of the field.

Escobar only moves over to start at second base if the Mets add a third baseman. The team hasn’t shown much faith in Davis, the club’s top trade candidate. Brett Baty probably will need some seasoning at Triple-A before they leap to that step, too. This leaves Mark Vientos as the final internal option. Even he could probably use a few plate appearances in Triple-A before getting a big league promotion.

One reason to like the Escobar signing is how flexible it allows the Mets to be. They may not get to see the full benefit of his versatility until later in the season when someone struggles or gets injured. An outside chance to become the everyday second baseman for the Mets at the moment, one big signing or trade could make him the obvious best candidate.

Next. Top 5 second basemen in Mets history. dark

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