4) Jared Young
Jared Young’s roster role for the 2026 Mets is largely dependent on whether or not the team adds significant players to their 40-man roster. He does have a remaining minor league option left, giving the Mets some leverage with the situation. And for what it’s worth, his .557 slugging percentage combined from his brief time in the majors and larger sample in the minor leagues led the entire Mets organization in 2025.
Young is the kind of player you don’t mind hitting .186 and popping 4 home runs in 47 tries. Precisely what he gave the Mets as a DH this past year, he’s simply a role player you add when your lefty DH option gets hurt or you’re going against a team with no southpaws in the bullpen.
The thing with Young is the Mets should be able to find players with more upside. And with Nick Morabito on the 40-man roster and not quite close to MLB-ready plus a group of others headlined by Carson Benge coming our way, Young’s 40-man roster spot will quickly be in jeopardy. We know Stearns loves to stack optional relievers on the team. All of the young players, even with minor league options, will make this more difficult. DFA’ing Young and potentially re-signing him to a minor league deal is far more preferred.
