The New York Mets are trending toward a historic Opening Day starting lineup.
That's because of what they plan to do defensively with the positions of new signings Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco.
The current plan would see Bichette start at third base and Polanco at first base.
Bichette has never played third base in professional baseball, at any level.
Polanco has appeared in just one game at first base in the major leagues, and it wasn't even a full game.
There's been only one team in MLB history prior to this to do that, according to Sarah Langs: The 1948 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Jackie Robinson started at second base for the first time after playing his rookie campaign at first. And Billy Cox got the start at third.
The Mets could start Bo Bichette (0 MLB games at 3B) & Jorge Polanco (1g at 1B) at 3B/1B on Opening Day
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) January 16, 2026
Only team in last 100 years to start 2 non-rookie INFs on Opening Day w/1 or 0 prior MLB games at that position:
1948 Dodgers: Jackie Robinson 2B, Billy Cox 3B @EliasSports
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Bichette was widely expected during his free agency to be moving off of his natural shortstop, but many figured that would mean second base.
But the Mets traded for Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien, and with Francisco Lindor at shortstop, that left third.
Polanco takes over first base for Pete Alonso.
It's certainly going to be fascinating to see how it all works out.
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