Meet the new-look Mets.
Gone are Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz and Jeff McNeil after a second-half collapse resulted in the Mets missing the playoffs.
Here are Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta and numerous other fresh faces after an offseason overhaul in which third-year president of baseball operations David Stearns reshaped the roster in his vision.
Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto remain the core of this team, and big seasons from both will be necessary for the Mets to meet their potential.
But the Mets need production from many beyond Lindor and Soto in order to improve on last year’s 83-79 record and return to the postseason.
Here are the X-factor players whose performances could determine how this season goes for the Mets:
JORGE POLANCO
Stearns’ mission this offseason was to improve the Mets’ run prevention, an amalgam encompassing both pitching and defense.
In that vein, the Mets are counting on Polanco to provide a defensive upgrade at first base over Alonso, even though Polanco — a middle infielder throughout his career — has made only one MLB appearance at first.
But Polanco’s ability to transition to a new position isn’t the only reason he is an X-factor.
The switch-hitting Polanco also carries a heavy burden on offense, potentially as the cleanup hitter behind Lindor, Soto and Bichette.
While the Mets are not asking Polanco to replace Alonso’s offensive output — that will need to be more of a team effort — a big season by the 32-year-old would prevent this lineup from being too top-heavy.
Polanco hit 26 home runs with an .821 OPS for the Seattle Mariners last season, up from 16 homers and a .651 OPS in 2024.
NOLAN MCLEAN
The Mets’ rotation can go from a weakness in the second half of last season to a major strength this year.
That’s not only because of the addition of the ace Peralta, but because the Mets have sky-high hopes for what McLean can accomplish over a full season in the majors.
Behind an elite spin rate, McLean dominated after his call-up last August, going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 48 innings over eight starts.
If McLean, still technically a rookie, can continue his ascent, he and Peralta would form an enviable one-two punch atop the Mets’ rotation.
As a bonus, that would take some pressure off of Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea and others in the Mets’ starting staff.
DEVIN WILLIAMS
The Mets are banking on a bounce-back season from Williams, who is set to replace Diaz — now a Los Angeles Dodger — as their closer.
Last season with the Yankees, Williams posted a career-worst 4.79 ERA and was twice removed from the closer role.
But Williams believes he has now adjusted to New York, and the metrics suggest he was the victim of some bad luck last year, when his chase percentage, swing-and-miss percentage and strikeout rate all ranked within MLB’s 97th percentile.
He finished last year strong, with 13 consecutive appearances without an earned run, including the postseason.
If Williams returns to being one of baseball’s best relievers — as he was with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2020-24 — then his three-year, $51 million contract will be a bargain.
But he has big shoes to fill in Diaz, who pitched to a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings last year.
CARSON BENGE
Whether it happens on Opening Day or not, the rookie Benge appears poised to take over right field sooner rather than later.
Benge, the Mets’ No. 2 prospect, entered spring training with a chance to win a starting job, and he has repeatedly flashed his upside.
Through 12 spring games, Benge was hitting .412 (13-of-32) with a double, a triple and a .987 OPS.
The Mets may decide Benge would benefit from more seasoning, as he appeared in only 24 games at Triple-A last year.
But if Benge can live up to the hype as a power and speed threat, he would add another dynamic option to the Mets’ lineup and bolster the bottom of their order.
Either way, the Mets’ outfield is set to look different this season, as Soto moved to left field (from right), while Luis Robert — another bounce-back candidate — was added to play center.