Mets 2026 Season Preview: What the Team Looks Like Today

Baseball is finally on the horizon. With 40 days until pitchers and catchers report, six weeks until spring training, and 66 days until the World Baseball Classic, the 2026 MLB season is fast approaching. While the offseason has been relatively quiet, fans are beginning to wonder what the New York Mets will look like on paper if Opening Day arrived today.

For the Mets, this offseason has been a mixed bag. The team lost four of its core players in an effort to shake up the lineup and reshape payroll flexibility. While this may feel unsettling to fans, there is still roughly two months before the panic button officially hits. Several of the league’s top free agents remain available, giving GM David Stearns time to make impactful moves.

Let’s take a detailed look at the Mets roster as the 2026 season approaches.

Offense

Catcher: Francisco Alvarez (24), Luis Torrens (29)

The catching situation in New York remains stable. Francisco Alvarez, once MLB’s top prospect, has shown flashes of brilliance and steady improvement, though injuries have hampered his consistency over the past three seasons. When Alvarez returned from the minors on July 21, 2025, he batted .276 with a .360 OBP and .921 OPS in 41 games, hitting nine home runs with 21 RBIs.

Behind him is Luis Torrens, a reliable backup who led the National League with a 40.8% caught-stealing rate last season. This tandem provides a solid mix of offensive upside and defensive reliability at the position.

First Base: Jorge Polanco (32)

The Mets will start the season with Jorge Polanco at first base, a surprising but intriguing move. Polanco, primarily known as a utility infielder, has only logged one MLB inning at first base before this offseason. However, he has consistently worked at the position to seize this opportunity.

Offensively, Polanco provides balance to a lineup that was heavily top-heavy in 2025. In Seattle, he hit .265 with a .326 OBP and .821 OPS, demonstrating a well-rounded bat that can complement the Mets’ stars.

Second Base: Marcus Semien (35)

The departure of Jeff McNeil cleared the path for Marcus Semien, a two-time Gold Glove winner. At 35, Semien is clearly a defensive-first acquisition. After a down year offensively (.233 batting average in 127 games), his value lies in improving the infield’s defensive stability—a glaring need for the Mets.

Shortstop: Francisco Lindor (32)

Despite offseason rumors, Lindor remains a cornerstone of the Mets’ infield. His consistency and leadership continue to anchor the team, and he will be counted on to perform alongside Juan Soto in what has been labeled a “dynamic but occasionally tense” duo. Lindor’s top-10 finish in MVP voting for four consecutive seasons underscores his importance both offensively and defensively.

Third Base: Brett Baty (26)

Patience with prospects can pay off, and Brett Baty is proof. The former top prospect delivered a strong finish to 2025, batting .311 with a .872 OPS over 42 games from August onward, while also providing elite defense at third base. Baty’s progress gives fans hope for consistent production in the hot corner.

Left Field: Jared Young (30)

Left field remains a significant hole. Jared Young, a minor-league journeyman, is slated as the placeholder, but the Mets are actively linked to free agents like Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker, both of whom could dramatically upgrade the position and overall lineup depth.

Center Field: Carson Benge (23), Tyrone Taylor (31)

The Mets appear committed to letting Carson Benge play, a top prospect currently ranked No. 21 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list. His defensive skills and offensive promise make him the leading candidate for starting center field. Tyrone Taylor offers veteran depth and strong defense, though his bat is limited.

Right Field: Juan Soto (26)

Juan Soto remains the Mets’ best player and one of baseball’s elite talents. His plate discipline—walking 127 times last season—makes defensive concerns secondary. Soto’s presence ensures the lineup’s top tier remains formidable for the foreseeable future.

Designated Hitter: Mark Vientos (26)

Vientos provides another question mark. After a strong 2024 season, he struggled in 2025 and has no minor league options remaining. The Mets face a decision: give him another opportunity or package him in a trade to bolster pitching or fill roster holes.

Starting Rotation

Nolan McLean (24), David Peterson (30), Clay Holmes (32), Sean Manaea (32), Kodai Senga (32)

Pitching remains the team’s most pressing concern. In 2025, injuries decimated the rotation, and top-of-the-rotation arms were sorely lacking.

Nolan McLean, the No. 11 overall prospect, debuted last August with a 5-1 record, 2.07 ERA, and 57 strikeouts in eight starts, showing immense promise. David Peterson, after a stellar first-half All-Star campaign, struggled late, while Clay Holmes and veterans Manaea and Senga offer experience but carry injury concerns.

Stearns is expected to pursue a frontline starter via free agency or trade, but the internal options provide a foundation heading into Spring Training.

Bullpen

Devin Williams (31), Luke Weaver (32), A.J. Minter (32), Brooks Raley (37), Adbert Alzolay (30), Huascar Brazoban (36), Richard Lovelady (30), Cooper Criswell (29)

The Mets’ bullpen has been rebuilt with several former Yankees relievers, including Devin Williams, who will serve as closer, and Luke Weaver as setup. The strategy is a gamble, as the duo struggled in New York last season.

Additional arms like Minter, Raley, and Alzolay provide flexibility, but three bullpen spots remain question marks. With many solid relievers still available in free agency, the Mets may make further adjustments before opening day.

Conclusion

On paper, the Mets are a team of intriguing potential and clear needs. The offense is anchored by Soto, Lindor, and Alvarez, with several young players poised to break out. However, holes at left field, DH, and pitching depth leave questions about the team’s ability to compete in a stacked National League East.

With six weeks until Spring Training, GM David Stearns still has time to address roster gaps. While the offseason has been slow, the promise of 2026 lies in a mix of young talent, veteran leadership, and strategic moves that could finally elevate the Mets back to contention.