The Mets' starting lineup will look completely different this year after all their offseason moves.
Carlos Mendoza envisions Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Bo Bichette hitting in the top three spots in the Mets' lineup this year.’ roster, a makeover that’s featured the acquisitions of several notable position players, Carlos Mendoza doesn’t have plans to change the top of New York’s batting order.
Mendoza gave a sneak peek into how he’ll construct his starting lineup in 2026 — assuming everybody is healthy — during a new episode of “The Show” with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman this week. The Mets’ manager said he envisions Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto occupying the top two spots in his new-look order. That was the most-common alignment in those first two spots in 2025.“I could see Lindor, Soto, Bo out of the gate,” Mendoza said. “Then you’re looking at Polanco, Semien, whoever is in the lineup.” Bichette’s skills from the right side of the plate make him the best internal option to slot in behind Soto. He can hit for average with pop from the right side — he might not be a direct replacement to Pete Alonso’s power production, but his presence will make it tougher for opposing pitchers to work around Soto or intentionally walk him throughout the year. Polanco makes plenty of sense in the cleanup spot as well. The Mets signed the veteran switch-hitter earlier this winter on a two-year deal worth $40 million, injecting more thump into the middle of the lineup after Alonso’s departure. Last year was one of the best seasons of Polanco’s career offensively. He hit .265 with a .821 OPS and 26 homers over 138 games with the Mariners. His numbers with runners in scoring position — .337/.408/.577 — are particularly appealing as well when it comes to batting behind Soto and Bichette. It’s also possible that new Met Luis Robert Jr. could find his way into the cleanup spot. He has the power to hit 30-plus homers if he can recapture his 2023 form. That ceiling and his offensive upside are a big reason why the Mets were willing to take on his $20 million salary for this year and part with Luisangel Acuña and a pitching prospect to acquire the center fielder. It all comes back to the depth and balance that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has bolstered through a handful of offseason additions. If returning phenoms like Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos can take steps forward on that side of the ball as well, the Mets could end up with one of the most high-octane lineups in the National League. That all starts with Lindor and Soto at the top. “I can put together a very balanced lineup whether it’s righties or lefties,” Mendoza said. “The switch-hitting from Lindor and Polanco, it allows me to protect certain guys. I like our lineup one through nine.”Max Goodman is the New York Mets beat reporter for NJ Advance Media at NJ.com. He spent the last three seasons working as a Yankees beat reporter for NJAM. Max graduated from Northwestern University in 2019...
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