3 NY Mets player role changes that make too much sense for 2026

Role changes are nothing unique in any business. You start by scrubbing the floors and before you know it, you get to shine the doorknobs. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Is there anything more American other than being born into it? The New York Mets have been no strangers to role changes. This is the same organization that signed Clay Holmes to become a starter.

What else is on the way? In 2026, these three role changes seem to make too much sense.

1) Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio seeing time at first base

Regardless of what the Mets end up doing at first base in addition to or primarily instead of Jorge Polanco, it might not hurt to see this pair of youngsters get some time at the position. Brett Baty does seem like a big leaguer now and a capable third baseman. Ronny Mauricio’s bat needs to hold up and there are still some lingering questions about how he can play third base although he did pretty well in his limited time last year.

These two will have more trouble co-existing than Baty and Mark Vientos. Mauricio’s struggles against left-handed pitchers has made him less of a switch hitter and more of an automatic out versus southpaws when he turns around and bats from the right-side. There’s no large need for them both unless one becomes a good defensive player at first base.

Mauricio, with Triple-A calling him to begin the year, might get first crack at it. He’s slightly taller than Baty, not that it matters much. Less experienced at third base than his Mets counterpart, he’d have fewer things to "unlearn" if that makes any sense. To put it another way, the Mets can abandon the process of investing 100% of their time into teaching him the hot corner and instead focus elsewhere. Spread it out equally at both corner spots.

Measuring defense at first base can vary greatly. Fans have been debating Pete Alonso’s ability for years. No permanent change needs to take place in 2026, but the addition of first base eligibility in fantasy baseball can add a new dimension to both of these players.