3 NY Mets players who’ll challenge to take Jared Young’s roster spot early in 2026

Jared Young made the New York Mets Opening Day roster in a somewhat surprising call.. Although useful in the right circumstances, envisioning how he gets regular playing time is difficult. The Mets can use him against tough right-handed pitching matchups, but he wouldn’t really pinch hit for any of the regulars and the toughest righty they’ll face maybe all year comes on Opening Day when they go against Paul Skenes.

Young still has a minor league option so even if he doesn’t stick around, the Mets have flexibility to stick him back in the minor leagues. Capable of playing multiple positions although not extremely well, we can understand the move even if we question it.

His time with the Mets won’t last 162 games. These three Mets players will certainly like to challenge for that roster spot.

All three can offer the Mets something a little different than what Jared Young can

1) Vidal Brujan

It was either going to be Vidal Brujan or Young who finished off the Mets roster. Entirely different players, Brujan has speed and defensive versatility. Young has power. If Brujan successfully passes through waivers and accepts a minor league assignment, he’ll be someone the Mets can call upon early to retake what should have, in the opinions of many, been his spot to begin with.

2) MJ Melendez

MJ Melendez spent a lot of time away from the Mets this spring to participate in the WBC. So did Young. However, it’s Young who was granted the Opening Day roster spot. Melendez is a similar player to Young with high power potential and a lot more experience. If the Mets want to keep the roster structure similar but add in someone new, Melendez is the player to call upon.

3) Cristian Pache

Cristian Pache had an incredible spring training with the Mets. However, they didn’t buy into him becoming a Mike Tauchman replacement, which Young essentially became. Right-handed with a strong track record of running well and fielding at an above-average rate, his challenge will be differentiating himself enough from Tyrone Taylor, a more proven in the majors version. Pache doesn’t have minor league options remaining and his non-presence on the 40-man roster will make it necessary for the Mets to time any Pache promotion correctly. He can’t be a limited time offer. His MLB promotion needs to come with some trust he’ll linger around. If the Mets are looking for more speed or defense off the bench than what Young can offer, Pache isn’t a bad choice.