{"id":504409,"date":"2026-01-03T20:05:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T20:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/504409\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T20:05:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T20:05:10","slug":"mets-2026-roster-projection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/504409\/","title":{"rendered":"Mets 2026 Roster Projection"},"content":{"rendered":"

40 days until pitchers and catchers meet, six weeks until spring training, and 66 days until the World Baseball Classic kicks off. The offseason has been a slow process, but baseball is around the corner. For the Mets, it\u2019s been a disappointing offseason. Losing four of their core players in efforts to shake things up around their lineup, finally. Still, there are two months until it\u2019s time to hit the panic button officially. Many of the top free-agent names remain on the market<\/a>, meaning David Stearns has time to steer the ship in the right direction.<\/p>\n

However, fans have the right to wonder: What will this team look like on paper if the season started today? With that, here\u2019s how the Mets shape up as the season approaches.<\/p>\n

Offense
\nCatcher<\/p>\n

Francisco Alvarez \u2013 24
Luis Torrens \u2013 29<\/p>\n

The Mets\u2019 catcher room likely remains the same as last season, and that is perfectly fine. Francisco Alvarez<\/a>, the former top prospect in all of baseball, has seemingly shown promise and improvement in all aspects of the game. But has struggled to consistently remain on the field after dealing with multiple injuries over the last three seasons. Behind him is Luis Torrens<\/a>, a legit backup catcher who led the National League in caught-stealing percentage (40.8%) last season.<\/p>\n

After being recalled from the minors on July 21 last season<\/a>, Alvarez served as one of the best hitters on the entire team, playing in 41 games and batting .276 with a .360 OBP and .921 OPS. Along with nine home runs and 21 RBIs. With a new hitting coach and a potential team hitting approach, the sky\u2019s the limit for Alvarez.<\/p>\n

First Base<\/p>\n

Jorge Polanco \u2013 32<\/p>\n

For the first time since the 2018 season, the Mets will field a new starting first baseman. Jorge Polanco<\/a>, the super-utility infielder, is set to play first on Opening Day \u2014 a weird but intriguing approach from David Stearns. Polanco has recorded just one major league inning at first base. But was consistently working at the position to pursue an opportunity this offseason.<\/p>\n

The former Mariner is an excellent, balanced hitter, having had one of his best seasons to date in Seattle, batting .265 with a .326 OBP and an .821 OPS. The addition of the 32-year-old gives the Mets something they seriously lacked last season: a balanced lineup that stretches throughout, rather than just the top four hitters.<\/p>\n

Second Base<\/p>\n

Marcus Semien \u2013 35<\/p>\n

The Jeff McNei<\/a>l saga is over. Marcus Semien<\/a> will take over at second base, which promises better defense. Semien, the two-time Gold Glove winner, was acquired in a one-for-one deal that sent Brandon Nimmo<\/a> to the Rangers, a strategy by the Mets to shed Nimmo\u2019s multi-year contract off the books.<\/p>\n

The 35-year-old is obviously no longer the player he once was, having a declining bat after a career-low season. With a batting average of just .233 in 127 games. It\u2019s clear Semien wasn\u2019t brought here to improve the offense \u2014 a clear-cut sign to the fan base that defense must improve, which Semien will contribute to.<\/p>\n

Shortstop<\/p>\n

Francisco Lindor \u2013 32<\/p>\n

No matter what rumors you see, Francisco Lindor<\/a> is here to stay. The slow offseason has brought many slow news days, with some creating false narratives and potential talk of a Lindor trade. The key to this offense remains better than ever, finishing top 10 in MVP voting for the fourth straight season in New York.<\/p>\n

Lindor will be the Mets\u2019 starting shortstop for the long run, one half of the new dynamic duo alongside Juan Soto<\/a>, which has supposedly been labeled a \u201ctoxic\u201d relationship.<\/p>\n

Third Base<\/p>\n

Brett Baty \u2013 26<\/p>\n

Brett Baty<\/a> is yet another example of why patience with baseball prospects is necessary. His development and long-term commitment finally paid off in 2025. Baty was one of the bright spots in a disappointing season. Holding elite defense at the hot corner along with a bat that consistently came through.<\/p>\n

From Aug. 1 on, the former top prospect batted .311 in 42 games, delivering seven home runs and 16 RBIs, along with a .872 OPS \u2014 a promising end to his season that gives all Mets fans hope for 2026.<\/p>\n

Left Field<\/p>\n

Jared Young \u2013 30<\/p>\n

Likely the biggest hole on the team: Who will be playing left field in 2026? Clearly, it won\u2019t be Jared Young<\/a>. The minor league journeyman who\u2019s slotted into the position due to the Mets being empty at the corner outfield spot.<\/p>\n

After trading Brandon Nimmo, the Mets were clearly in the left field market. Being linked<\/a> to the likes of Cody Bellinger<\/a> and Kyle Tucker<\/a> throughout the offseason. Both players could bring immense improvement to the lineup.<\/p>\n

Center Field<\/p>\n

Carson Benge \u2013 23
Tyrone Taylor \u2013 31<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to let the kids play, and that starts with Carson Benge<\/a>. Benge has been one of the team\u2019s most promising prospects in recent memory. Shooting up the ranks<\/a> last season after strong production in Double-A and currently sitting at No. 21 on MLB Pipeline\u2019s Top 100 prospects list.<\/p>\n

Alongside Benge, the Mets have Tyrone Taylor<\/a>, a realistic depth option who provides excellent defense but a quiet bat. Benge has the opportunity to be the Mets\u2019 starting center fielder on Opening Day \u2014 and rightfully so.<\/p>\n

Right Field<\/p>\n

Juan Soto \u2013 26<\/p>\n

What is there to say? Juan Soto is the best Met and one of the best players in all of baseball. You can argue his defense isn\u2019t great. But when you have a guy who walks 127 times a season, is that truly a problem?<\/p>\n

Like Lindor, Soto is here to stay, playing through just one year of his 15-year deal.<\/p>\n

DH<\/p>\n

Mark Vientos \u2013 26<\/p>\n

Like left field, the designated hitter position is another hole to fill. Still, there\u2019s a slight chance the Mets choose to give Mark Vientos<\/a> one more opportunity to find his bat again.<\/p>\n

After a very promising 2024 season that played a key role in their push to the NLCS, Vientos completely disappeared in 2025\u2014struggling to hold a spot on the roster. With zero minor league options remaining, the Mets face a tough decision. Do they bite the bullet by playing Vientos, or do they trade him in a package that hopefully improves their rotation or lineup? Time will tell.<\/p>\n

Starting Rotation<\/p>\n

Nolan McLean \u2013 24
David Peterson \u2013 30
Clay Holmes \u2013 32
Sean Manaea \u2013 32
Kodai Senga \u2013 32<\/p>\n

The biggest worry on the team: Will the Mets seriously go the entire offseason without adding to their rotation? The clear problem in 2025 was their lack of starting pitching, which can be attributed to two things. Both a majority of starters suffering injuries and the idea that Stearns failed to bring in a legitimate top-of-the-rotation arm.<\/p>\n

In 2024, the Mets successfully gambled on Sean Manaea<\/a>, Luis Severino<\/a>, and Jose Quintana<\/a>, but the repeated process in 2025 proved to be a failure.<\/p>\n

The Mets have real promise in Nolan McLean<\/a>, the No. 11 prospect in baseball. Who debuted in August and went 5-1 through eight starts with a 2.07 ERA and 57 strikeouts. Besides McLean, New York still has David Peterson<\/a>,\u00a0who appeared in his first career All-Star Game after an outstanding first half. But fell off to close the season due to heavy reliance from the Mets. The 27-year-old had yet to serve as the focal point of a rotation.<\/p>\n

Clay Holmes<\/a> did exactly what he was supposed to do, serving as a surefire fourth or fifth option, which will likely remain the case in 2026.<\/p>\n

Besides that, the Mets keep Kodai Senga<\/a> and Sean Manaea<\/a> \u2014 two pitchers who suffered serious injuries last season and were never the same afterward. The Mets are more than likely to add a top arm via free agency or the trade market, but there is still internal promise, with Jonah Tong<\/a> and Brandon Sproat<\/a> expected to start the season in the minors if they remain with the organization.<\/p>\n

Bullpen<\/p>\n

Devin Williams \u2013 31
Luke Weaver \u2013 32
A.J. Minter \u2013 32
Brooks Raley \u2013 37
Adbert Alzolay \u2013 30
Huascar Brazoban \u2013 36
Richard Lovelady \u2013 30
Cooper Criswell \u2013 29<\/p>\n

The Mets have taken an interesting approach to the offseason: bringing in multiple former Yankees to construct the backend of their bullpen.<\/p>\n

After a dramatic close to the Edwin Diaz<\/a> tenure in New York, the Mets are set to use Devin Williams<\/a> as their primary closer. Followed by Luke Weave<\/a>r as a setup man. This duo has been seen before, struggling together for the Yankees last season. Which led the Bronx Bombers to acquire multiple backend relievers to improve their bullpen.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s certainly a gamble, but beyond that, the Mets\u2019 bullpen seems shaky. A.J. Minter<\/a> was solid in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury, with Brooks Raley<\/a> serving as the best reliever on the team not named Edwin Diaz. Adbert Alzolay<\/a> shows promise, leaving New York with three potential bullpen holes that can be filled on cheap contracts by the many solid relievers still available on the market.<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credits: Jasen Vinlove-USA Today Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"40 days until pitchers and catchers meet, six weeks until spring training, and 66 days until the World…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":504410,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2290],"tags":[5,358,1365,1347,227,120,134,5214,386,228,2517,74],"class_list":{"0":"post-504409","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-baseball","8":"tag-baseball","9":"tag-brett-baty","10":"tag-cody-bellinger","11":"tag-francisco-alvarez","12":"tag-francisco-lindor","13":"tag-jorge-polanco","14":"tag-juan-soto","15":"tag-luis-torrens","16":"tag-marcus-semien","17":"tag-mark-vientos","18":"tag-nolan-mclean","19":"tag-pete-alonso"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/115832968114178530","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504409","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=504409"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504409\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/504410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=504409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=504409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=504409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}