The New York Mets will have a decision to make in 2017 as far as who it is that will be manning first base for the team.
The Metropolitans will have a few options to choose from in the coming year. Lucas Duda is eligible for salary arbitration and it is expected that the Mets will tender him a contract at this time. He is projected to make $6.7MM through arbitration.
2016 was a lost year for the Mets slugging first baseman due to a back injury as he only appeared in 47 games. In 153 plate appearances, Duda hit to a .229/.302/.412 batting line with seven homers and 23 RBI.
Duda is also a positive when it comes to defense and will provide the team with a good glove at first. If Duda is back at full strength in 2017, he could be the team’s best option going forward.
Then of course there is the man who kept first base warm for Duda in 2016, James Loney. The veteran castoff did a fine job replacing Duda for the season, providing good defense while having a reliable bat.
In 100 games for the Mets in 2016, Loney hit to a .265/.307/.397 batting line to go along with nine homers and 34 RBI. Loney was never known for his power, but did give you solid at-bats. He came up big in spots down the stretch with some huge homers, one that helped the team clinch a playoff spot in Philadelphia.
Loney would return as a low-cost option, should the team want someone to fall back on in case Duda is unable to stay healthy. With other options though, I do not see the Mets bringing back Loney.
That brings us to our “Wild Card” option to play first base for the Mets in 2017. It has been said that the Mets will hand Michael Conforto a first baseman’s glove in the offseason to have him prepare to play the position.
With a crowded outfield, the Mets need to give their young player some versatility to get him into the game as much as possible. 2016 was a trying year for Conforto as he found himself up and down between the big leagues and the minors.
In 109 games played, Conforto hit to a .220/.310/.414 battling line to go with 12 homers and 42 RBI. He looked overmatched for most of the season, losing his confidence along the way. He would always though show flashes of his 2015 dominance, giving hope that he can come back to form.
2017 will be a big season for Conforto, given the opportunity it would be great to see him as a regular in the lineup, splitting time between first base and the outfield.
The Mets could end up going a whole other route at first base, possibly giving Jay Bruce some time there as well or signing a free agent such as Edwin Encarnacion. Who do you believe will be playing first base for the Mets in 2017?
