1 NY Mets player who will play more than expected in 2026, 1 who will play less

Expectations vs. reality makes for a good meme. It also has its place in baseball. There are certain New York Mets players we fully expect to challenge for 162 games. There are others who’ll have less time planned for them.

Based on how the Mets are handling things early on in spring training, we can see how they may deploy certain sets of players at a variety of positions. Injuries can and will alter many of these blueprints. However, it’s becoming clear how specific players may have a larger role than expected while others may watch more games from the bench than first believed.

Tyrone Taylor will play more than expected in 2026

Tyrone Taylor will, yet again, be a valuable member of the Mets roster. In his two years he has been asked to take over the larger share of center field. In 2024, it was more earned by outplaying Harrison Bader in the latter part of the year. In 2025, he was simply their only guy available until Jeff McNeil tried his best.

130 and 113 games in the last two seasons respectively with 345 and 341 plate appearances, his role in each of the last two years was very different. He played more complete games last year 87 total starts versus 76 the year prior. Despite the presence of Luis Robert Jr., Taylor will yet again see himself in the lineup regularly.

The role hasn’t changed. The circumstances have. The ease in which the Mets are uncaging Robert in spring training suggests there are opportunities for Taylor to get into the lineup. It’ll never be for defensive purposes in center field. More so, he’ll be someone who can help keep Robert fresh.

Taylor should also see a little more time in the corners than he did last year. Only 27 total innings combined in left field and right field, a late inning replacement for Juan Soto in left field as well as someone to take on those final 3 outs in right field especially if Carson Benge doesn’t make the team seems appropriate. What’s more, Taylor may very well end up as the team’s best runner off the bench. He might not play more than last year. He’ll still be heavily featured.

Jorge Polanco will play less than expected in 2026

Especially early on, we should see the Mets get choosy when they play Jorge Polanco. It may be difficult to find ways to get Polanco, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos into the lineup with Benge on the team. With that in mind, a once a week or so view from the bench for Polanco could make sense.

Crafting those games will be a challenge for Carlos Mendoza and whoever assists in putting together the lineup. Polanco, as a switch hitter, is a theoretical everyday option. Baty and Vientos are the obvious lefty/righty platoon.

Polanco’s injury history is another reason to be cautious with him. Last year was the first time in four seasons where he topped 500 plate appearances. He’ll be capable of reaching that total with the Mets in 2026. If Baty and Vientos are hitting, the focus should be on keeping him available rather than running him out there 7 days a week.

Yet to debut this spring, Polanco’s role with the Mets will be significant as one of the candidates to hit cleanup for the club for the majority of 2026. He has mammoth shoes to fill as one of the main sluggers they’ll be relying on to replace the offense lost with the trade of Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso’s free agency departure. The 138 games he played last year with the Seattle Mariners will be a good goal to reach this year with the Mets. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the total even less even with Polanco staying healthy.