Dream NY Mets starting lineup for the 2026 season

The starting nine for the Mets in 2026 when we close our eyes.
Apr 4, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and right fielder Juan Soto (22) and first baseman Pete Alonso (20) and left fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) stand for the national anthem before the Mets home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Apr 4, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and right fielder Juan Soto (22) and first baseman Pete Alonso (20) and left fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) stand for the national anthem before the Mets home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Batting fourth Kyle Schwarber, DH

New blood! It was bound to happen eventually in this dream lineup. Should we realistically believe there’s any chance of Alonso and Kyle Schwarber teaming up in the waking world? Absolutely not. Our eyes are closed. There are no rules here. We fly to work by flapping our arms. Our jobs involve tasting the world’s most delicious foods and deciding which movies Hollywood makes. We choose who wins every election. A literal dinosaur (not the figurative ones in charge) holds an important governorship. Welcome to the dreaming.

A 56 home run, 132 RBI season should be enough to convince you Schwarber would be a delight to have in Flushing. Although incredibly limited on defense, especially in the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets can get away with it by outhitting the opponent. They don’t really lose anything by signing Schwarber. There’s far more to gain by inserting him in there at the DH spot and only asking him to grab a glove a half-dozen times.

A massive amount of playoff experience on top of his dominant regular season he just put together, you’ll have a hard time finding any better protection behind Alonso in the order. We can debate the exact order which they should all hit. Schwarber can handle himself against lefties and righties.

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