LAS VEGAS — Marcus Semien’s self-motivation is his biggest asset in trying to improve on his underwhelming first season in Queens.
That was the assessment of president of baseball operations David Stearns on Tuesday when asked about the Mets’ plans at second base for next season.
The 36-year-old Semien will have an opportunity to play “a lot of” second base next season, according to Stearns.
“This is an extremely motivated player,” Stearns said at the general managers meetings. “This is someone who works as hard as anyone, who believes in his own ability, and who I know is going to get everything out of what he has.”
Brett Baty remains an option at the position, but the Mets also have prospects such as Jefferson Rojas, Émilien Pitre and Mitch Voit who could be ready at some point next season.
Semien posted a .620 OPS and struggled defensively, finishing at minus-9 outs above average, according to Statcast, which ranked in MLB’s fifth percentile.
He still has $46 million remaining on his contract over the next two seasons.
“[Semien] didn’t have the type of year that he wanted to last year,” Stearns said. “He didn’t have the type of year we believe he’s capable of. We also think we have got a lot of options, both guys who played in the big leagues last year for us and guys who are knocking on the door of the big leagues that we feel good about that position.”
Though Bo Bichette has flexibility to play other infield positions, Stearns said the plan is to keep him at third base. Bichette switched to the position from shortstop last season upon joining the Mets.
Bichette is returning after opting in to a contract that will pay him $42 million next season.
“I was happy about it,” Stearns said. “We expect Bo to have a really good year next year. We saw what he’s capable of doing over the last three or four months of the season, and I think he is excited to come back. He’s comfortable with our group, he’s emerging as a leader in our clubhouse. I am very excited to have him back.”
Last year at the general managers meetings, Stearns placed Carson Benge in the conversation for a starting job by saying the top prospect would head to spring training with an opportunity to win a major league job.
Stearns isn’t prepared this offseason to make such a pronouncement on a prospect.
“That could change by the time we get to spring training or Opening Day,” Stearns said. “But sitting here right now there’s not a name that I am going to put out there like that.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
