David Stearns on the state of the Mets infield and who might return in 2027

The Mets’ young outfield group has difference-making potential.In a mostly lost season, there have been emergences in both the rotation and bullpen that provide hope for 2027 and beyond.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.Which is part of why much of David Stearns’ time Friday afternoon during his homestand availability was spent discussing what has gone wrong (plenty) and right (a bit) with the club’s infield. With the exception of Bo Bichette — who would plug in as the everyday third baseman if he opts in for next season, a contractual decision that Stearns said he has not discussed with the infielder — Stearns provided hints at how the Mets’ infield could look next season, including: Despite a rough defensive season, Francisco Lindor will be the everyday shortstop in 2027.In just about every metric, from the traditional (10 errors in his first 82 games) to the more advanced (ranking 52nd among 62 shortstops who had logged at least 150 innings this season in Defensive Runs Saved), Lindor has taken a step back defensively. The position is mostly patrolled by younger kids, and Lindor turns 33 in November.

The only players who are older and have spent most of their time at shortstop this year are Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Trea Turner. Lindor’s glove has regressed, with several booted balls, including Tuesday at Tropicana Field, but perhaps more notably, his sprint speed is down for a third straight season, falling from 28.1 feet per second in 2023 in his fastest one-second window in 2023 to 26.8 feet this season. But there is “no question” the normally steady and two-time Gold Glover will be the Mets shortstop next year, Stearns said. “Certainly a few more mistakes than we’re accustomed to s...