QUEENS, NY — Jared Young is one of the few members of the Mets organization to benefit from the Pete Alonso drama and the subsequent disaster that was their situation at first base.
The veteran first baseman, who had just 44 career MLB games to his name entering this season, is making a case to at least be in the Mets’ first-base conversation moving forward — a consolation of sorts after the failed Jorge Polanco experiment.
In 87 games, the 31-year-old is batting .272 with a .780 OPS, eight home runs, and 35 RBI. The bulk of his production has come over his last 44 outings dating back to July 5, where he has slashed .317/.368/.482 (.850 OPS) with two round-trippers and 21 RBI.
“I’ve been able to show what I believe the whole time,” Young told amNewYork. “I’ve been a quality player for a long time in my own eyes, and then you just need a spot and an opportunity, and those are hard to come by in the big leagues.”
When asked if he thinks that this sort of production is sustainable, and if the chance to cement his spot at first base beyond 2026 exists, he added, “I fully believe it, but it’s not up to me.”
At this rate, his fate ultimately rests in what president of baseball operations David Stearns does this offseason. The organization still believes that Polanco can be a valuable contributor in 2027, but whether that is as an everyday first baseman remains to be seen. If the team needs to find days to keep him off his feet due to the ankle bursitis that ultimately ended his debut campaign in Queens early, relying on him would be a foolhardy move.
Another in-house option does not appear readily available. Mark Vientos struggled mightily when he was healthy, making his coming-out party of 2024 appear more like a mirage than anything. Prospect Ryan Clifford, who was supposed to be the heir apparent at first, has seen his value plummet due to an alarmingly high strikeout rate in Triple-A.
Free agency, funded by Steve Cohen, always remains a quick fix to the problem. Still, Young should at least be in the conversation.
“He worked too hard for this opportunity to relax and feel like he’s earned it,” interim manager Andy Green said of Young. “We’ll offer him some real positive reassurance based on what he’s accomplished this year. But keep going, man. Keep working. Keep the nothing’s earned mindset. Look up in a decade from now, and you’ll have had a great career.”
For more on Jared Young and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
