Stearns: Mets Are Set At Third Base

David Stearns talked to the media on Monday for the first time at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, and he made it clear that the New York Mets are set at third base.

“I am,” Stearns said when asked if he’s comfortable with the Mets in-house options at third base. The Mets presumably have youngsters Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio as those in-house options battling for playing time at the spot. Stearns said that recently signed Joey Wendle is a “utility player” who will be likelier to play all over than be at a particular spot like third base.

When asked again about third base and potentially adding a player there, Stearns made it clear again that the Mets are happy with their in-house options and they will not look to the free agent or trade market for a third baseman.

Now we know that the Mets are happy with Baty and Mauricio as options, though we don’t know how that playing time will shake out yet and might not know on Opening Day.

“I don’t have anyone in my head right now that’s got the job. And we may not go into Opening Day with anyone who’s got the job. I think it’s important for us organizationally to learn about our younger players and to provide them with opportunities at the major league level. Again, that doesn’t have to be all on Opening Day. But over the course of the year, we’ve gotta learn about these guys.”

Baty, 24, struggled overall in his first chance at being the Mets everyday third base when he hit .212/.275/.323 with 12 doubles and nine home runs in 389 plate appearances this season.

Mauricio, 22, showed flashes of his big-time power in his short major league stint with the Mets this season, but ultimately slashed only .248/.296/.347 with four doubles and two home runs in 108 plate appearances. Mauricio has limited experience at third base, with five games in the majors, 17 in the minors, and 10 in winter ball. Mauricio is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, going 4-for-4 with extra-base hits and three errors at third base in his second game of the season.

The Mets certainly have plenty of additions to make to their roster this offseason. Stearns mentioned at least one starter and an outfielder who can play a lot is among them, but third base is not a place they will be making any moves.

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