What's the story at third base for Mets?

This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo’s Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Two hours before the Mets’ series finale in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Eduardo Escobar entered Buck Showalter’s office alongside third-base coach Joey Cora, who closed the door behind them.

Escobar, notably, was missing from the starting lineup for the second time in three days, and for the second consecutive game against a right-handed pitcher. A chat seemed to be in order.

“He knows,” Showalter said later, when asked multiple times about his team’s complicated third-base situation. “I don’t have to explain it. He knows exactly what we’re trying to do here as a team and as an organization, and he wants to be a part of it.”

For Escobar, remaining part of the Mets’ plans will require producing more than he did during the first week of the season, when he went 2-for-20 with seven strikeouts.

After second-ranked prospect Brett Baty outperformed Escobar in Spring Training by a wide margin, the Mets sent Baty back to Triple-A ostensibly so he could further his own development.

But a significant part of the equation hinged -- and still hinges -- on Escobar. Not only did the veteran enter the season with $10 million guaranteed left on his contract, but he was coming off a September during which he hit .321/.385/.596 with eight home runs in 30 games.

If Escobar doesn’t produce, things could quickly become awkward for the Mets -- particularly if Baty, who was batting .400/.471/.867 at Syracuse before a minor thumb injury temporarily sidelined him, continues thriving. The Mets on Thursday showed their willingness to take action if necessary, making plans to promote top prospect Francisco Álvarez in the wake of Omar Narváez's calf injury.

But Escobar won’t easily recover from his early-season issues if the Mets play him only sporadically.

“We live in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world,” Showalter said. “You’re trying to win that day’s game and put your best foot forward. I’ve got to keep the big picture in mind but also try to win that game today.”

Asked if he intends to platoon Escobar with left-handed hitting infielder Luis Guillorme, Showalter acknowledged all possibilities while adding, “we’re not there yet.”

In the short-term, Baty’s health is a factor in the Mets’ third-base plans. Escobar is set to return to the starting lineup on Friday, but it’s unclear how close he is to running out of rope. If Escobar hits, he’ll likely stay there for the foreseeable future. If his weeklong slump turns into a monthlong slog, the situation could rapidly change.

“He cares. A lot. Of course he does,” Showalter said. “Frustration -- I don’t even think that’s the right word. His teammates want it so bad for him because they know what he’s about. He wants to contribute, almost to a fault.”