Mets 26-man roster predictions: Who opens the season with the Amazins?

In only a few weeks, 26 men will be selected as members of the 2021 New York Mets Opening Day roster. Some won’t last the season. Others may evolve into heroes.

The Mets don’t have too many major decisions to make for their roster, leaving very little to compete for this spring in terms of the big roles. However, there are still some roles and roster spots up for grabs.

Rather than share my own predictions, I thought I would ask three Rising Apple writers for what they believe the Mets look like on Opening Day. Adrian Cervantes, Mason Smoller, and Zach Rotman were each given the task to put together their 26-man roster predictions. Although quite similar, there were a few minor differences between the three roster submissions I received.

Mets 26-man roster starting rotation predictions

Only one job is fully open for the Mets Opening Day starting rotation. The fifth starter spot appears to be a race between David Peterson and newcomer Joey Lucchesi. The fact that there is even a spring competition between these two has me convinced Mets fans may be disappointed with Lucchesi winning the job.

It’s only fair to let spring performance decide which of these two arms finds a spot in the starting rotation. I favor Peterson yet I tend to lean toward the belief that Lucchesi actually ends up with the gig.

When posed with the question as to what the rotation will look like, all three of our guests predicted the same thing, in no particular order:

1) Jacob deGrom
2) Carlos Carrasco
3) Marcus Stroman
4) Taijuan Walker
5) David Peterson

It’s the safest prediction to make even with Peterson’s job yet to be locked up. We may be making more of his spring competition with Joey Lucchesi than it actually is. Perhaps it’s what the Mets are using to motivate the young lefty to be even better.

Predicting the 26-man roster’s rotation is one thing. The bullpen would be a little more difficult.

Mets 26-man position player predictions

Something major will happen in order for any change to the expected starting eight. Adding a DH to the National League would alter things. So would an injury. Or a late winter/early spring trade.

Barring some kind of major catastrophe or transaction, the starting eight is easy to predict. Adrian, Mason, and Zach all added in the same guys:

14) Brandon Nimmo
15) Jeff McNeil
16) Francisco Lindor
17) Michael Conforto
18) Pete Alonso
19) Dominic Smith
20) J.D. Davis
21) James McCann

This brings us to the final piece of the roster, the bench. In a typical year, this is where we see a lot of battling. Rookies and veterans battle it out with each other and amongst themselves for a spot on the roster.

In spring 2021, there’s a different feel. The Mets added multiple players this offseason to the organization and there doesn’t appear to be much movement available. All three of the Rising Apple writers I asked to predict the bench came back with the same answer:

22) Tomas Nido
23) Jonathan Villar
24) Luis Guillorme
25) Kevin Pillar
26) Albert Almora Jr.

The only debate to make here would be to possibly replace Almora Jr. with Jose Martinez. I don’t think it’ll happen.

It goes without saying—so here’s me saying it anyway—something will happen this spring to throw a wrench in the Mets’ plans. No team gets through spring training unscathed.

If they can, the Mets Opening Day roster should closely resemble this:

1) Jacob deGrom
2) Carlos Carrasco
3) Marcus Stroman
4) Taijuan Walker
5) David Peterson
6) Edwin Diaz
7) Dellin Betances
8) Jeurys Familia
9) Miguel Castro
10) Trevor May
11) Aaron Loup
12) Robert Gsellman
13) Joey Lucchesi or Jerry Blevins
14) Brandon Nimmo
15) Jeff McNeil
16) Francisco Lindor
17) Michael Conforto
18) Pete Alonso
19) Dominic Smith
20) J.D. Davis
21) James McCann
22) Tomas Nido
23) Jonathan Villar
24) Luis Guillorme
25) Kevin Pillar
26) Albert Almora Jr.

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What changes, if any, would you make to the Mets Opening Day roster?