The New York Mets’ Offense: A Rollercoaster Ride in 2026
So far in 2026, the New York Mets’ offense has been a mixed bag. In their first game of the season, they managed to knock Paul Skenes out of his first start in the first inning, and New York would go on to score 11 runs to secure a victory. However, over the next six games, the Mets struggled, posting a 2-4 record while scoring just 14 runs. This included a particularly embarrassing series against the St. Louis Cardinals. In the last two games, though, the Mets showed signs of life, scoring a total of 19 runs behind the contributions of several players, including Mark Vientos, who appears to be making a strong case for a return to form.
stats as of April 5th
Could Mark Vientos Re-Emerge as a Mets Superstar?
In 2024, Mark Vientos was one of the most promising offensive players for the New York Mets. While Pete Alonso had a solid season with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs, it wasn’t quite up to his usual standards. Francisco Lindor, on the other hand, delivered an incredible season, hitting 33 home runs with 98 RBIs and even achieving a 30/30 season. He finished second in MVP voting.
Vientos, however, stood out as a fascinating story. In just 111 games, he hit 27 home runs with a .266 batting average. His performance only improved in the postseason, where he hit five home runs with 14 RBIs and posted a .327 batting average in 15 games. Vientos was arguably the best hitter for the Mets during the playoffs, hitting multiple walk-off home runs and delivering clutch hits in key moments against the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A Disappointing 2025 and Awful Spring Training Lowered Expectations
The 2025 season was not kind to Vientos. He struggled with both consistency and health. At times, he looked good, but overall, his performance fell short of expectations. In 117 games, he hit 17 home runs but batted just .233. He also struck out 115 times while drawing only 30 walks, resulting in a negative WAR of -0.2. That’s a stark contrast to his 2024 season, where he was a dominant force.
Spring training didn’t help either. Vientos went 2-34 with seven strikeouts and just one walk, which made many Mets fans question whether he would even make the roster. With players like Bret Baty and Bo Bichette providing depth at infield positions and offering better performance against right-handed pitching, Vientos seemed like a potential bench player.
A Strong Series Could Signal a Return to Form
Vientos had limited plate appearances before the series against the San Francisco Giants. During that time, he hit a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates that helped tie the game and eventually led to a win. Against the Cardinals, he went 1-4 but still looked solid. With Jorge Polanco injured and the Mets struggling to score runs, Vientos was finally given a chance to start.
In the first game of the series against the Giants, Vientos went 1-4 with a moonshot home run in a 7-2 loss. He started again and put together an impressive 2-3 line with two walks and an RBI single. In his next appearance, he went 3-5 with another RBI single. So far this season, he’s hitting 8-17 with two walks and a home run. While it’s a small sample size, it’s a very encouraging sign.
What Does This Mean for the Mets?
Going 8-17 to start the season isn’t the same as batting .300 over 40 games, but Vientos’ early performance suggests he could be returning to the dominant version of himself from 2024. If he can maintain this level of play, he could become a key piece in the Mets’ lineup. The team already has a lot of talent, and Vientos could be the X-factor that takes them to the next level.
There’s no telling what a healthy and consistent Vientos can do in 2026. For now, he’s earned a starting role, and if he continues to perform, he may once again be considered one of the top stars in the Mets’ lineup.
