Mets Notes: Jorge Polanco's defensive future, Kodai Senga's role next season still to be determined
· Yahoo Sports
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns spoke prior to Friday's series opener against the Giants and touched on what he's learned from a few new players and the expectations from others going into next season...
Polanco's defensive future
Stearns signed Jorge Polanco this past offseason to be the team's everyday first baseman, but that hasn't gone according to plan.
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Injuries have marred Polanco's first season in Queens. Polanco appeared in just 37 games, slashing .148/.201/.230 with an OPS of .431 to go along with his two home runs and six RBI. A combination of a right wrist contusion and left ankle bursitis took Polanco out for the rest of the season.
After Polanco underwent surgery to address his ankle, Stearns was asked about what he believes the veteran slugger's defensive future looks like.
"It’s a little TBD, unfortunately," Stearns said. "Clearly, it did not work out the way we anticipated this year. If there’s one thing I learned about Jorge, he’s going to work incredibly hard to do everything in his power to be a good player for us next year. I think he will be. We’re not going to know exactly where he is physically until he gets on the field for us."
Of the 36 games he's appeared in this season, he's played first base three times and started just twice at the position.
Young's production 'is real'
With Polanco absent, Jared Young has taken advantage of the playing time.
This season has given the 31-year-old his most playing time in the bigs and he's provided the Mets with ample production. In 91 games, Young has slashed .265/.324/.434 with an OPS of .758, to go with his eight homers and 35 RBI.
Stearns was asked about Young and how he assesses, him and the POBO believes what he's seen out of Young.
"This is a good hitter. It’s someone who we thought of as a good hitter going back to last year, we just couldn’t give him the consistent runway at the big league level," Stearns explained. "He’s done it for a prolonged stretch now. We think it’s real. He controls the strike zone well, he gives you consistently good at-bats. He understands game situations. He’s a good player and he’s demonstrated that."
New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) hits a RBI single during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. / Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesMets want more from Semien offensively
Marcus Semien was another high-profile acquisition by Stearns, as the POBO traded for the veteran second baseman, dealing Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers.
And while Stearns has publicly expressed that the move was for defensive purposes, the offensive production from Semien has been stark. The 35-year-old offense has continued to dip year-over-year, and in 2026, it's arguably at its lowest.
Stearns recognizes it, but believes Semien can still provide offensive production next season and that the veteran infielder offers more to the clubhouse than what we see on the field.
"Marcus remains someone who can be one of those steadying forces on a team. He posts every day, he takes his craft incredibly seriously he works very hard," Stearns said. "He’s still a very good defender. We’ve seen that. The offensive performance in its totality hasn’t been what he wants or what we want. We’ve seen flashes, but the totality, he would want more, we would want more. In terms of who he is as a person, how he’s contributed to the team from a work ethic standpoint, has been outstanding."
Entering Friday, Semien is batting a career-low .218 with career lows in OBP (.283), slugging (.348) and OPS (.631) across 120 games.
Senga's uncertain future in the 'pen
The Mets transitioning Kodai Senga to the bullpen has been successful so far.
Since Aug. 4, when Senga first came out of the bullpen regularly, Senga has pitched to a 1.74 ERA, allowing just two runs across 10.1 innings pitched. He's been 5-for-5 in save opportunities since Devin Williams went down to injury, and has stabilized the bullpen.
However, Williams will be back soon and with two more years left on Williams' deal, where Senga fits next season and beyond is anyone's guess. Stearns is also unsure of Senga's future but credited the right-hander for handling the move like a professional.
"It’s fun to see," Stearns said of Senga coming out of the bullpen. "I think his investment in that role, even though he views himself as a starter. I think he prefers to start, but his investment in that role, the way he’s embraced that role, is a great example for his teammates, for the organization as a whole. And he’s done a great job.
"Where that is moving forward to next year, is still to be determined. It’s great to see and he has shown some really good stuff at times out of the pen."
Relying on Manaea next season
Opposite of Senga, Sean Manaea began the year in the bullpen before working his way back into the rotation.
While 2026 continues to be a rollercoaster for the southpaw, Stearns believes Manaea can attack the offseason and help anchor the rotation next year.
"Clearly didn’t get off to the start he wanted to," Stearns said. "Worked really hard and saw sustained success in the middle and the last couple, especially toward the end in outings; the outings have gotten away from him."
Manaea had a stretch of four straight starts of allowing two or fewer runs (Jul. 9- Aug.9), before he faltered. Over his last four starts, he's allowed 19 runs across 23.2 innings.
Next season, the Mets will likely go into the year with a rotation that includes Manea, Nolan McLean and Christian Scott, with youngster Zac Thornton being in the mix. If the Mets hope to compete, they'll need Manaea's veteran presence and effectiveness.
"In general, we need Sean to have a very good offseason, come back and he’s going to be a part of this team next season," Stearns continued. "We’re going to count on him. He’s demonstrated that he can perform at a high level and contribute to the team and that’s what we’ll need him to do."