3 things that will decide the New York Mets’ 2026 season

The New York Mets want to overcome the failure of the 2025 MLB season, when they collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs entirely.

They'd also love to take even a further leap forward and make a run at dethroning the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League.

Every baseball season, there are lots of things, big and small, that define what happens. It's impossible to predict it all before Opening Day.

That doesn't stop it from being a worthwhile exercise. For the Mets, a handful of aspects of their team seem like they'll be major keys to what happens this season. 

Here, we've got three of those to examine.

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These 3 things will decide the Mets' 2026 season

1. Closer

The Mets let Edwin Diaz get away this offseason in free agency. Making matters worse, he signed with the Dodgers.

That leaves the Mets relying on Devin Williams, formerly of the Brewers and Yankees, to replace Diaz. They also signed reliever Luke Weaver from the Yankees.

If Williams and Weaver can finish off wins with the same effectiveness as Diaz, that'll be a big help to getting the Mets back to the postseason.

2. Corner infield defense

Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco will hit. But will they field?

Bichette has never played third base, but that's where he'll be on Opening Day. Polanco has nearly no experience at first base, but that'll be his spot.

The Mets prioritized bringing in guys who could help in the batter's box with the hopes that they'd figure out the part with gloves on their hand. But if this experiment doesn't work, it could make it tough for New York to put together its best lineup each day.

3. Is there finally an ace?

The Mets didn't have a clear pitching ace last season, and it hurt down the stretch.

The offseason trade for the Brewers' Freddy Peralta likely solved that.

On top of that, the Mets have the youngster Nolan McLean developing in a hurry, and his stuff is immensely impressive.

The Mets want to make it to the playoffs, and they want to have an obvious Game 1 starter. If Peralta is that guy, the Mets can be dangerous.

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