Mets’ Depth Options At Third Base Following Mauricio Injury

The New York Mets took a punch to the gut upon hearing the news that top prospect Ronny Mauricio tore his ACL in a freak non-contact accident while running the bases in a Dominican Winter League game on Sunday and thus will likely miss the entirety of the 2024 season. Mauricio was in line for considerable playing time at third base next season and had a chance to lock down a long-term role with a strong showing in what’s largely being viewed as a transition year for the Mets.

Instead, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos will now face elevated pressure as they continue to adapt to the position and attempt to prove themselves after struggling to varying degrees as they have opened their careers. The team has been adamant about the solution at the position being in-house amongst likes of Baty, Vientos, and free agent signee Joey Wendle, but the injury to Mauricio may force them to change that line of thought. With that, let’s take a look at several depth options the Mets could consider as the offseason rolls along.

Justin Turner

Justin Turner has long been a white whale for David Stearns. After missing out on his services while in the Milwaukee Brewers’ front office ahead of both the 2021 and 2023 seasons, Stearns stands as good a chance as ever of finally getting his guy and bringing him back to the Mets over a decade after originally departing the franchise.

Turner is coming off of a season where he slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs, 96 RBI and a 114 wRC+ over 626 plate appearances and 146 games with the Boston Red Sox. The 39-year-old played just 57 innings at the hot corner with poor results, however, recording -4 Outs Above Average and -3 Defensive Runs Saved during that stretch.

Turner doesn’t figure to be an adequate solution strictly as a third baseman for the Mets, but that doesn’t render him useless for the team and their current situation. Turner has remained a threat at the plate and would supply the team with a potential solution as a factor in the designated hitter mix while also providing value as a mentor for Baty and Vientos. He has also demonstrated proficiency at first base to the tune of three Defensive Runs Saved last year and can play second base in a pinch as well.

If Turner can remain productive at the plate and give the Mets insurance at third base amidst all the uncertainty at the position, his veteran presence and leadership would be of substantial value.

Brian Anderson

Another player with ties to Stearns, Brian Anderson, would seem to fit the Mets’ organizational mantra of run prevention to a tee. Anderson was a Gold Glove finalist at third base in 2020 during his time with the Miami Marlins and amassed 12 Defensive Runs Saved along with seven Outs Above Average at the position from 2019 to 2021 before struggling in 2022. He bounced back in his lone season as a Brewer last year, however, with three Defensive Runs Saved and three Outs Above Average in just under 500 innings at third base.

Anderson was released by Milwaukee ahead of their playoff run after hitting .226/.310/.368 with nine home runs, an 85 wRC+ and 0.5 fWAR through 96 games with the team. Anderson hasn’t finished a season with a double-digit home run total or a wRC+ greater than 95 since 2020, so his offense may not be of great value to the Mets. Regardless, Anderson profiles as a solid bench piece with extensive experience at third base who can adequately relieve either Baty or Vientos if needed while also showcasing the ability to shift to the outfield and utilize his arm strength if needed.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Isiah Kiner-Falefa has seemingly earned a bad rap for his light-hitting nature, but his value has also been undersold in the process.

Kiner-Falefa is a former Gold Glove winner at shortstop who played every position besides first base in his career and appeared at six of them in 2023 with the New York Yankees, though third base might just be his strongest. In just over 1200 innings at third, Kiner-Falefa has posted 19 Defensive Runs Saved and 22 Outs Above Average, which includes three of each in 240.1 innings at the position last season.

To reiterate a previous point, Kiner-Falefa hit just .242/.306/.340 with six home runs and an 82 wRC+ last season. His offensive numbers aren’t incredibly relevant, however, especially in regard to the Mets’ needs and what they are looking for from a bench piece. With Kiner-Falefa’s unique versatility, defensive prowess and strong base-running, he is a well-rounded player who would immediately step in as a plus-defender at third base and fill several needs for the Mets as they fill the roster.

Andruw Monasterio

While a trade doesn’t feel like the most likely course of action for Stearns in this case, perhaps a player with three minor league options who is in pre-arbitration, like Andruw Monasterio, could represent an exception.

Monasterio signed with the Chicago Cubs when he was 17 years old in 2014 and proceeded to spend parts of five seasons in the minor leagues with the organization before being traded for Daniel Murphy at the waiver trade deadline in 2018. He then spent parts of five seasons in the minors with the Washington Nationals, Cleveland Guardians and Brewers before earning a call-up in May of 2023. From there, he became an integral part of Milwaukee’s trek towards the National League Central division title as he appeared in 92 games and hit .259/.330/.348 with an 88 wRC+ and 0.4 fWAR.

Monasterio, much like Anderson and Kiner-Falefa, isn’t the type of player to “wow” anyone with his power or overall skill set at the plate, but his value goes beyond that aspect of his game. For starters, Monasterio is an ideal platoon candidate, considering his .291/.387/.392 slash line and 118 wRC+ against lefties last season. Furthermore, Monasterio is a quick and versatile defender who spent time at second base, shortstop and third base while recording seven total Defensive Runs Saved, six of which came at the hot corner.

It’s unknown if the Brewers would entertain trading Monasterio, but it’s at least worth a call by Stearns. With Milwaukee’s up-and-coming position player talent on the horizon, it’s feasible that they would consider moving on from Monasterio should the return warrant a deal. As for the Mets, Monasterio represents a definite roster fit that wouldn’t impede Baty or Vientos’ development while providing strong value.