Better, worse, or the same, what can the NY Mets expect from Tyrone Taylor in 2025?

The New York Mets' offseason moves, particularly the early acquisition of José Sirí, sent a clear message about their outfield priorities and, perhaps more importantly, about Tyrone Taylor's projected role. Sirí's arrival, signaling a focus on defensive prowess and outfield depth, should have raised eyebrows about Taylor's standing with the team.

While Taylor remains an elite defender with an above-average arm and good speed, his offensive trajectory appears to be trending downwards. This development raises concerns about his future contributions to the team.

Tyrone Taylor's 2025 looks like a more reduced role, with offensive concerns included

Taylor's calling card has always been his glove, but his bat has become a growing concern. While he showed improved plate discipline in the past season, especially in his BB%, his contact issues persisted.  

Another troubling sign was the decrease in his hard-hit ball percentage by 4.2 percentage points compared to 2023. This dip is significant, as hard contact was previously a positive aspect of his offensive profile. Further compounding matters, Taylor's ground ball rate increased by nearly five percentage points, a shift that often translates to fewer BABIP. In the same way, his wOBA against breaking balls and offspeed pitches also saw a considerable decline, suggesting a growing vulnerability against varied pitching approaches.

These trends paint a concerning picture, especially considering Taylor's age. Entering his age-30 season, he's at a point where many baseball players begin to experience a natural decline in production. This biological reality, combined with the aforementioned statistical downturn, sets the stage for potentially diminished returns.

The acquisition of Sirí further underscores this point. Sirí not only brings a higher level of defensive ability but also offers more offensive upside and baserunning ability. His presence suggests the Mets are prioritizing a more dynamic outfield, potentially relegating Taylor to a reduced role.

Given all these factors – the worsening offensive trends, Taylor's age, and the arrival of Sirí – it's reasonable to temper expectations for Taylor in 2025. Less playing time, combined with his declining offensive performance, likely means his overall production will be worse than it was in 2024.

While his defensive value remains, the Mets' moves and Taylor's statistical profile point to a diminished role and a likely decrease in offensive output. The best-case scenario might be a repeat of his 2024 performance, but the more likely outcome is a decline in offensive production and potentially overall value to the team.