NY Mets Opening Day lineup prediction with Jeff McNeil officially ruled out

MLB spring training is the new NFL preseason. When do we get to the point where we reduce the number of games simply for the sake of getting everyone into the regular season healthy? Beasts of a different nature as many MLB players feel the need to hone some skills before Opening Day, every New York Mets injury in exhibition action (or practice) begs a question of how much is too much.

Most recently, the Mets learned they’ll be without Jeff McNeil for at least a few weeks. Ruled out for Opening Day, the team will turn to one of its many other infield options to replace him—or so we believe.

McNeil might not be a fan-favorite like he was in the past. Two straight frustrating seasons since winning a batting title in 2022, he was still going to serve a purpose and at least get a chance to show there’s something left to offer. Instead, he’ll go into recovery mode as the Mets move forward without him in their Opening Day lineup. Speaking of, what will it look like?

Predicting the Mets Opening Day starting lineup without Jeff McNeil

Assuming the Mets face a lefty, Framber Valdez as the projected Houston Astros Opening Day starter, we’ll need to believe the Mets are probably going to tackle the lineup favoring the use of as many righties as possible. Not much changes at the top of the order. It’s the bottom-third where the debate can rage.

1) Francisco Lindor, SS
2) Juan Soto, RF
3) Pete Alonso, 1B
4) Mark Vientos, 3B
5) Brandon Nimmo, LF
6) Starling Marte, DH
7) Jose Siri, CF
8) Luis Torrens, C
9) Luisangel Acuna, 2B

Jose Siri followed by Luis Torrens and finally Luisangel Acuna gives the Mets a righty-loaded lineup at the bottom. Jesse Winker will wait for his opportunity to pinch hit for someone. Brett Baty, who should already have a roster spot locked up, will have to wait his turn to get his first hacks of the 2025 season.

Acuna has yet to officially make the team, but if not now, when would the Mets possibly give him a chance? A separate roster move to get Donovan Walton or Luis De Los Santos on the roster on top of already needing to add a backup catcher is impractical. Give Acuna a chance to split time with Baty at second base. In fact, even consider using him in center field a few times depending on the length of McNeil’s absence.

I’d bat Siri seventh merely for the possibility of him hitting a home run being greater than Torrens or Acuna. Torrens in the eighth spot isn’t as much about his ability as it is what Acuna can possibly do. His speed from the number nine spot is a minor bonus. Imagine him leading off with a single and turning it into a double with a stolen base. Even if he remains stuck at first, a line drive single by Francisco Lindor immediately after can put runners on the corners for Juan Soto. Suddenly, the Mets are in business.

We saw the Mets regularly use their bench last year with platoons aplenty. This shouldn’t change, especially at the start of the season with so many injuries and a more even-competition between the starters and members of the bench.