Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Mets run production has been disappointing for much of the season, especially from center field and third base. With the July 31 trade deadline approaching, both positions would seem in serious need of upgrading. But Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that while he would engage with teams, he doesnt expect to acquire a third baseman and is comfortable with the duo of Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil in center. Asked specifically during a news conference before the if he believed the teams third baseman the rest of the way would come from the group thats currently on the roster which has been primarily Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio, with some Mark Vientos mixed in Stearns said, That would be my expectation. And thats a spot where perhaps the most intriguing position player who could hit the market Eugenio Surez could come from, if the Diamondbacks opt to sell. New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty #7 scores on an error by Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan OHoppe #14 in the 8th inning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post David Stearns, speaking to the media during a pre s conference at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post And in center, where the Mets planned on having Jose Siri before a leg injury sidelined him in April, Stearns added that the combination of Taylors stellar defense and McNeils growing comfort at the position gave him confidence the team could continue down that path. CHECK Kyle Hurt Jersey OUT THE AND For me, the bar to improve center field has probably risen over the last two weeks, Stearns said of the combination of McNeil and Taylor. Obviously, in that position, certainly were gonna be engaged, but weve got to clear a bar that actually makes us better, given the cost. Explore More For now, theyll continue with that kind of platoon in center, but the larger question is at third base, where Baty started Monday against Angels lefty Tyler Anderson who is atypically hit harder by left-handed hitters. Baty entered Monday with just a .647 OPS in his previous 44 games, but in his past 22, his OPS was .852. He remains bad against most lefties. As for Mauricio, he wasnt in Mondays lineup with Baty at third and Luisangel Acua at second and was in a 2-for-19 rut. Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor (15) catches a blast to center by Tampa Bay Rays first base Yandy Daz (2) to end the top of the third inning when the New York Mets played the Tampa Bay Rays Friday, June 13, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post The Mets have been waiting for one of those young players to take hold of a spot and its yet to happen. And Stearns insisted he was OK if the team continued to have to use multiple players at some positions. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! It would be wonderful if someone would take a step forward and solidify himself as a really good, everyday regular, Stearns said. But we have 26 roster spots. We want to use them all, and if that means certain positions need to be timeshares, certain positions will be timeshares. If the lineup had hit better with runners in scoring position, their current problems wouldnt be so glaring. I think a fair critique is we havent scored runs, Stearns said of a lineup that entering Monday was 21st in the majors in runs scored since May 1. Weve taken pretty good at-bats, get guys on base and we havent scored runs. And that goes back to a theme weve talked about a lot here and executing with runners in scoring position, which has been a challenge for us all year. I dont have an answer for that. I wish I did. Wander Suero Jersey