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3 NY Mets players who could lose playing time in 2027 despite a pleasant 2026 season

There's a potential for them to get bumped out in favor of someone else.
ByTim Boyle
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Sep 12, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Zac Thornton (49) takes the mound in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Sep 12, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Zac Thornton (49) takes the mound in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Plans always change and the MLB offseason is the opportunity to make adjustments to allow them to happen. The New York Mets have some wiggle room for what the team looks like next year. Mapping out playing time, for some, will depend on what the club does this winter.

These Mets players, despite having a pleasant year in 2026, could see their playing time reduced rather quickly.

These Mets might play less because the team believes someone better is worthy of replacing them

1) Zac Thornton

Zac Thornton was easily one of the more pleasant surprises of the 2026 season. He passed over Jonah Tong at least temporarily despite not having a whole lot of red on his Baseball Savant page. Thornton got batters to chase and rarely walked anyone. Aside from that, there were some reasons to pause about what he can offer in the immediate future.

Thornton’s 3.42 ERA across 15 starts is more than you’d ever ask for from most rookies. But with poor expected statistics and an entire winter to make upgrades, there’s a good chance the Mets bump him down to sixth starter and have him begin the year in Triple-A. Of course, he’ll constantly be one injury away from a promotion.

2) Jared Young

Jared Young won our hearts and the first base job in Queens. Slashing .266/.330/.429 with 9 home runs helped save the position from being the possible literal worst in MLB. Oh, and his defense was pretty good, too.

Young could very well end up as the strong half of a platoon with a right-handed hitter. The Mets might prefer to pair him with someone that can handle lefties as well as righties well enough to maybe take the job. If they end up with Teruaki Sato or Ty France, Young becomes less relevant. Paul Goldschmidt makes the most sense and probably never steals much playing time from Young against right-handed pitchers. Whatever they do, Young has to battle hard to keep his first base job.

3) Dedniel Nunez

Coming back from injury, Dedniel Nunez ended up with a strong 3.32 ERA performance spanning 19 innings. He didn’t issue a single walk and struck out 20 batters. He left a good taste in our mouth to end the year after starting off shaky upon his IL return.

How the Mets structure their bullpen will say a lot about how much playing time Nunez gets. Surely someone capable of being a permanent fixture, his remaining minor league option could have him as an unfortunate temporary roster casualty at some point. Nate Lavender is in the same boat, however, as a left-handed pitcher, he might get the greater benefit. Nunez should never stay down in the minors for too long with the Mets likely managing any in-season demotion in a way where they can hold onto his final minor league option for 2028.

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