A subtle NY Mets lineup philosophy change capable of saving the season

It was late January. The dust of a frantic month of major additions was settling. We all wanted to learn more about offseason additions of Freddy Peralta, Luis Robert Jr., and Bo Bichette. The Athletic took a look into all of that and more about the New York Mets while settling on the idea of them doing things a little differently at one spot in the lineup.

The DH hasn’t been welcomed by the Mets since it became a permanent fixture in the National League. It has given players at-bats. We got to experience J.D. Martinez for a couple of months. Overall, it has been a mostly dismissive spot in the lineup used on guys like J.D. Davis, Daniel Vogelbach, Darin Ruf, and fading defensive players like Starling Marte.

It’s definitely good to have the DH spot available under just about every circumstance. The Mets are finally approaching this year with no individual player or duo expected to share those duties. How the Mets are handling Jorge Polanco and more so Luis Robert Jr. in the early part of spring training, with great caution, furthers the suggestion that the DH spot is indeed wide open and welcoming to anyone who might need a half-day of PTO.

The DH spot is critical to keeping all of the Mets players healthy

It’s not the case, but if it were, the injury facing Francisco Lindor to begin the year might not be such a talking point if it was a matter of him being able to hit but not defend. The Mets could just as easily put him in as the DH and let someone else handle the defense for a bit. That’s not the precise situation with him. Hitting is a big part of the question with him, if not the greatest.

The Mets are easing Polanco into spring action. Already considered a regular DH candidate throughout the year, if not the most frequently used player of all, it’s a good way to make sure he stays healthy. The same goes for Robert whose defense will be missed in center field, but regular spot starts out of Tyrone Taylor and maybe even Carson Benge should keep him fresher.

This seems far more ideal than the Mets signing Pete Alonso to be a DH 5 out of 7 games. It could imply more defensive games out of Mark Vientos or simply less playing time altogether for the power-hitting righty who lacks a real defensive position.

All plans have curveballs along the way. Just because the Mets currently show signs of giving those DH at-bats to a variety of players doesn’t mean they’ll stick to it. Polanco and Vientos putting up career numbers at the plate will make it difficult for anyone else to ever squeeze in those opportunities.

Last year’s Mets had Marte at DH for 77 games, Vientos for 44, and Jesse Winker for 22. Jared Young with 14 and Jeff McNeil with 10 were next on the list. Other than McNeil, it was a true designated hitter’s spot for guys who can’t really field.

Expect something different in 2026. It should be a tool they use to keep everyone on the field.