Hall of Famer Keith Hernandez has voiced his displeasure with the New York Mets' handling of the first base position, citing a perceived nonchalant attitude toward defensive fundamentals. Hernandez, a former Gold Glove winner at first base, expressed his criticism during a broadcast of the Mets' recent 4-3 road loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
"It seems like in today’s game, they don’t give first base enough credit," Hernandez stated, observing Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn. "Certainly, the Mets don’t."
Hernandez, known for his emphasis on "good fundies," or fundamentals, has often been critical of teams that he believes play with a lack of essential baseball skills.
For the past seven seasons, the Mets primarily utilized Pete Alonso at first base. While Alonso was not considered a Gold Glover, he worked to be a serviceable defender at the position. This season, the team appears to have adopted a more "Moneyball"-esque approach, treating first base as a less demanding position and rotating various players.
Players who have seen time at first base for the Mets this season include Mark Vientos, Jorge Polanco, Jared Young, and Eric Wagaman. According to Baseball Savant metrics for outs above average, Young is ranked +1, Polanco at 0, Wagaman at -1, and Vientos at -8.
The Mets' first basemen have struggled both offensively and defensively. The team ranks 23rd in defensive runs saved with a -3 mark, according to FanGraphs. Offensively, their first basemen are collectively hitting .220/.281/.397 with a combined -0.6 wins above replacement (fWAR), a figure surpassed only by the Arizona Diamondbacks among Major League Baseball teams.
This combined ineffectiveness at first base has contributed to the Mets' overall record of 43-60, placing them last in the National League East and positioning them as likely sellers at the trade deadline.