Mets' Carlos Mendoza addresses Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco shifting to new positions

Before New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns dismantled what was the core of the club's roster this offseason, he insisted that the Mets needed to improve their "run prevention." 

Part of that process involves new acquisitions Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco shifting to different positions. Bichette is going from shortstop to third base, while Polanco is making a move to first base. 

During the latest edition of "The Show" podcast, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with MLB insiders Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman about how Bichette and Polanco are handling their transitions ahead of spring training. 

Carlos Mendoza impressed by how Bo Bichette has looked at third

"He’s an athlete," Mendoza said about Bichette, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. "We’re looking at a guy that has played shortstop pretty much his whole career. And just watching him today, moving around third base, taking ground balls, creating angles, and then the throws to first base, I was telling him, 'It looks like you played there before.'" 

Bichette signed a three-year, $126M contract to join the Mets. He essentially is replacing Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, two younger players who could be packaged in a trade for a proven commodity. 

As for Polanco, he has the difficult task of taking over for departed fan-favorite Pete Alonso at first base. Stearns let Alonso leave the Mets in free agency, and the "Polar Bear" ultimately signed with the Baltimore Orioles. 

Carlos Mendoza preaching patience regarding Jorge Polanco

"[Polanco] is a guy that came up as a shortstop, playing in the middle of the diamond," Mendoza added. "He moves around as well, and the same thing with Baty and Vientos, guys who have got some experience there. But I feel like it’s going to take some time getting used to some game action."

For whatever reasons, Stearns clearly felt that the Mets needed a roster makeover following the club's collapse during the 2025 season that resulted in the Amazins failing to qualify for the playoffs. His latest gambles could blow up in his face if Bichette or Polanco struggles to impress in the field this coming spring.