HARBOR ST. LUCIE – Marcus Semien has seen two major developments in the Mets infield in recent weeks that could not have been expected when he was traded to the club in November.
First, they signed Semien’s former Blue Jays teammate Bo Bichette as a third baseman.
Then, before Semien even reported for spring training, he learned that doubles partner Francisco Lindor would be sidelined in camp, with Opening Day in question, after undergoing hamate bone surgery on his left hand.
The new Mets second baseman entered his first spring training games on Saturday, optimistic about reuniting with Bichette and lamenting Lindor’s absence.
Bichette, a former shortstop, began his transformation to third base last week after being signed to a three-year contract worth $126 million.
“He’s a little older, a little more seasoned and now he’s learning a new position,” former short stop Semien said of the 27-year-old Bichette, with whom he played in 2021. “I was in that position when I met him. I was learning second base, so there are things we can talk about.”
“They’re two different positions, but being in a new place and learning a new position can be uncomfortable at times, I’m sure. And because he’s such a pure hitter and a great hitter, you know he’s going to be one of the best hitters. I think we’ll just talk about defense and see how well we play together.”
Lindor underwent hamate bone surgery on Wednesday and will spend six weeks recovering.
It leaves Semien to work primarily with Ronny Mauricio, Vidal Bruján, Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff in the center infield.
“It was really unfortunate,” Semien said of Lindor’s surgery. “I was looking forward to this time of spring, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’ll be back, hopefully on Opening Day, and we’ll play as many games together as we can. But I think communication is a big thing. We’ve already discussed this offseason how we want to do things, and I just can’t wait for him to get here to talk through some of the things that we might not be able to work on here in the spring.”
The Mets acquired Semien, 35, in a trade that sent Brandon Nimmo to Texas.
Semien brings the Gold Glove defense to second base, but was below average offensively last season, when he posted a .230/.305/.364 slash line with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs.
It was the second straight season in which his OPS fell below .700.
The Mets also like the veteran’s leadership skills.
“This is a guy who has played that role in winning teams,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s been in the league for a long time and all he has to do is lead by example. We have some leaders in the clubhouse and he’s another leader that we count on. Not just in posting, playing and performing, but the way he works, the way he goes about his business. He’s not someone who’s going to say a lot.”
Semien said his discussions with the team’s new batting staff, led by Major League hitting director Jeff Albert, began immediately after the trade.
Troy Snitker is the team’s new hitting coach.
“Conversations about what they thought offensively about my last two seasons and what adjustments I might be able to make to get back on track,” Semien said. “Those conversations were good. I think I was able to control the strike zone for the most part, but it’s about hitting the ball with more authority and getting my body in the right position to do that more consistently.”
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