Two winters ago, the Mets made a minor-league signing that largely slipped under the radar but would alter the team’s trajectory for the 2024 season.
At the end of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, the Mets brought Jose Iglesias on board and invited him to spring training.
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Two months into the season, with Brett Baty scuffling, Iglesias was summoned from Triple-A. With his veteran leadership, affable personality and a Latin pop hit, Iglesias helped galvanize the Mets and spark them on a run to the playoffs and National League Championship Series.
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets fields a ground ball during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 13, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets fields a ground ball during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 13, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets fields a ground ball during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 16, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets Photo Day at Clover Park on February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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Feb 13, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) looks on during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 13, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) walks on the field during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 13, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (center) speaks to infielder Marcus Semien (left) and third base coach Tim Leiper (right) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 19, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) poses for a photo during media day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 21, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) looks on against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 21, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) throws to first base but cannot retire Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) plays his position against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) runs onto the field before the game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) throws a baseball into the stands against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) returns to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets Photo Day at Clover Park on February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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Feb 11, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) warms-up during spring practice. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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Feb 11, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) warms-up during spring practice. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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The New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta throws during spring training on the back fields of Clover Park on Feb. 11, 2026, in Port St. Lucie.
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) warms up against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Marcus Semien #10 of the New York Mets looks on during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 16, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Marcus Semien #10 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets Photo Day at Clover Park on February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Marcus Semien (10) walks on the field during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) returns to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) tosses a baseball into the stands against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Mar 3, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) throws to first to retire Nicaragua right fielder Ismael Munguia (not pictured) during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Christian Arroyo (28) throws to first base to retire St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages (not pictured) during the third inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 25, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets second baseman Christian Arroyo (28) stretches out his legs befor the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 22: Luis Torrens #13 of the New York Mets helps up teammate Christian Arroyo #28 after Arroyo made a sliding grab during the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images)
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Christian Arroyo (21) fields a ground ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Feb 19, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Christian Arroyo (28) poses for a photo during media day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
In the cracks of the Mets roster, behind the veil of star power provided by the likes of Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and others, there are players not on the 40-man roster who could ultimately provide a massive lift at some point this season. They could be elite prospects, journeymen or veterans with elite careers down the back stretch of their careers.
For the Mets, here are five non-roster players who could ultimately provide a spark at some point in 2026:
Carson Benge
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge (93) warms-up during spring training on Feb. 12, 2026, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Position: Outfield
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Outlook: The 23-year-old Benge is the Mets’ top position player prospect and the No. 16 overall prospect in Major League Baseball, but he is still in only his first major league camp and needs to prove that he belongs this spring.
The early returns have been strong for Benge, who has only played 24 games in Triple-A last season. He is 4-for-13 with two runs and a stolen base. He made a sharp diving catch and held opponents at bay with his big arm in just five Grapefruit League games. The left-handed hitter belted an opposite-field home run against Team Israel on March 4.
Benge, who would need to be added to the 40-man roster before a debut, is in a five-man race for the starting right field spot and presents the most dynamic upside of all the candidates.
Mike Tauchman
New York Mets right fielder Mike Tauchman (50) returns to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the first inning on Feb. 24, 2026, at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Position: Outfield
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Outlook: Tauchman, who the Mets signed to a minor league deal on Feb. 19 as camp was getting underway, provides arguably the highest floor among the candidates to grab the right-field spot.
In his last three seasons between the Cubs and White Sox, the 35-year-old has never had an OPS under .723 or an on-base percentage lower than .356. He has never struck out more than 86 times in his career.
Tauchman is coming off a torn meniscus in his right knee but remains a valuable asset on an outfield depth chart as a tough at-bat and a capable defender. He is 2-for-7 with a home run, three RBI and one run so far this spring. Is there a world in which the Mets would carry Tauchman as a fifth outfielder or where Benge scuffles and needs to begin in the minor leagues? Those are his paths forward.
Robert Stock
Position: Right-handed pitcher
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Outlook: Stock was among the first few additions that the Mets made after the 2025 season had ended as he signed a minor league deal last November after spending the season with the Red Sox organization.
The 36-year-old, who pitched for the Mets in 2021, is a hard thrower, constant tinkerer and analytical mind. This season, he voiced his intentions to debut a knucklecurve.
Stock, who only pitched in two games for the Red Sox last season but maintained a 3.96 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 85 innings in Triple-A, could fill the valuable role of an inning-eater if the team ends up needing one at some point in the 2026.
He made a strong opening impression in his first Grapefruit League action, striking out six in three scoreless innings with one hit allowed.
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Craig Kimbrel
New York Mets pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws during spring training on Feb. 11, 2026.
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Outlook: Before long, Kimbrel might find himself in Cooperstown as one of the rare closers inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but the Mets don’t necessarily need him to be that dominant anchor to fill a bullpen role for this season’s team.
The club added Kimbrel, who is fifth all time in saves with 440 across his 16-year career, to a minor league deal with $2.5 million if he makes the major league team.
Kimbrel does not possess the same velocity on his fastball as he once did, seeing it drop by 2.3 mph over the last two seasons and his knucklecurve has not been as diabolical but he still managed a 34.7 percent strikeout rate and 29.8 percent whiff rate. But his walks spiked across stops with the Braves and Astros last season.
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The 37-year-old reliever has added a cutter to diversify his look this spring and seen mixed results. He allowed a run in each of his first two spring appearances.
Cristian Pache
Position: Outfield
Outlook: Spring training results should always be taken with a grain of salt but there are a few times where the results can outweigh the logic. Pache is off to one of the best offensive starts of any position player in MLB as he’s managed eight hits in 11 at-bats (.727) with one home run, two RBI and three runs.
The 27-year-old has seen limited action in MLB with four different teams in the last three seasons. He has been traded twice, suffered a torn meniscus and never seemed to find his footing.
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While Pache is a supreme defender, with a strong arm and expansive range, the offense has never really translated despite some strong springs in the past. He had a .736 OPS with the Phillies in 2023 but a combined .552 mark between three stops in 2024. If he can find hit bat in MLB, he can be a valuable asset.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets non-roster players to watch beyond 2026 season