Trio Shows Offense’s Potential in Win Over Cardinals

Francisco Alvarez hit one 439 feet off the batter’s eye. Jorge Polanco showed off his power from the right side of the plate. Brett Baty added two hits.

The Mets offense Tuesday produced six runs on 14 hits in a victory over the Cardinals at Clover Park. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come when the games count.

Alvarez hit 25 home runs in 2023, injuries limited him to 100 games the following year and last season was supposed to be his breakout. But last spring training he got hurt again, fracturing the hamate bone in his left hand during batting practice. He missed Opening Day, struggled upon his late April return and was sent to the minors in June.

He flourished at Triple-A Syracuse, earned a call-up after the All-Star break and hit eight homers with a .276/.360/.561 slash line in the second half. So, this year could be his breakout. Believe it or not, he is only 24 years old. He is 6-for-11 in five Grapefruit League games.

Polanco, who went 2-for-2 with a walk and a 396-foot home run, is 3-for-9 this spring. He hit .265/.326/.495 for the Mariners in 2025 with 26 homers and 78 RBIs. He will not make up for the offense that Pete Alonso took to Baltimore, but if Alvarez can play a full, healthy season, the production for first base and catcher combined could be about the same, if not better, for the Mets this year.

Baty was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI singles and a sliding catch in right field. He is 6-for-13 overall with a home run, five RBIs and a stolen base. Baty made 60 starts at third base last year and 46 at second, slashing .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs in 432 plate appearances. Barring injuries to Bo Bichette or Marcus Semien, he is unlikely to see that many starts at those positions in 2026. But he could see some time there, along with starts at first base, designated hitter and in right field.

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