MLB.com makes the lamest prediction possible for the hottest NY Mets lineup battle

Among all of the New York Mets spring training battles going on right now, the most hotly contested one is happening in right field. MLB.com made a prediction for every ball club’s starting lineup in 2026 along with the rotation for each of the 30 teams.

Rather than actually go full ABBA and take a chance on anyone, they went with the lamest possible choice, Tyrone Taylor.

It’s nothing personal against Taylor. He’s going to play a lot more than expected because of what he brings to the field. Taylor is practically a given to get into game 1 of 162 in some role. It won’t be in the starting lineup.

Tyrone Taylor starting in right field for the Mets on Opening Day means a lot of things went wrong

Firstly, Paul Skenes starting for the Pittsburgh Pirates favors a left-handed bat. It’s virtually impossible to imagine the Mets not having Carson Benge or Mike Tauchman on the Opening Day roster. The lefty vs. righty matchup is a given.

Furthermore, there’s a real shot Brett Baty is out in right field over Taylor. If the Mets simplify things and sit Mark Vientos against right-handed starters to begin the year, there’s little justification as to why Taylor would be out there in right field instead. Choosing Taylor over Benge, Tauchman, Baty, and even MJ Melendez is unrealistic.

The full lineup they have feels a little different from what others have speculated. Assuming all are healthy, the easy and obvious Francisco Lindor-Juan Soto-Bo Bichette at the top is a given. Everyone seems to believe Jorge Polanco gets fourth ups. It’s in the number five spot when the debate begins.

MLB.com has Luis Robert Jr. batting fifth with Roster Resource naming Marcus Semien as the selection. Each is capable of a wide range of results. They’re both coming off of two inferior offensive seasons after an amazing 2023. I’d guess Semien is more favored by the organization and a spot at number five would happen for a couple of reasons. One is respect for the locker room leader. Another is to get Robert’s speed a little lower in the lineup when he can help in different ways.

For whatever it’s worth, the Mets are one of only two teams with a projected six-man rotation. Only the Houston Astros have six starters listed as well. Even if the Mets suffer an injury to a starting pitcher, Tobias Myers seems ready to step in.

There are a lot of possibilities for the Mets Opening Day lineup, rotation, and roster. One you shouldn’t bet on is to see Taylor out in right field.