Are the Mets the Biggest Threat to the Dodgers in 2026? Here’s Why That Might Be the Case
The New York Mets didn’t just tweak around the edges this offseason - they tore it down and rebuilt with purpose. After a 2025 campaign that ended in disappointment, the front office went all in, reshaping the roster with top-tier talent in hopes of flipping the narrative in 2026. And according to insiders around the league, including ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Mets may just be the most legitimate threat to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ throne this season.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t your typical offseason shuffle. The Mets lost two franchise cornerstones in Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, but instead of retreating, they reloaded. Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., Marcus Semien, Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco - this is a haul that doesn’t just plug holes, it raises the ceiling.
The big question is how all the new pieces will fit together. There’s no shortage of talent, but this roster comes with a wide range of outcomes. If Bichette finds his groove at the plate, if Robert Jr. can finally put together a full, healthy season, if Peralta holds up over 30-plus starts - that’s a lot of “ifs,” but the upside is undeniable.
And don’t overlook the infield shake-up. The Mets will be asking their corner guys to adjust to new positions, which could be a make-or-break factor early in the season. But if that transition goes smoothly, and if Nolan McLean continues his late-2025 surge on the mound, this team could be cooking with gas by midsummer.
The Mets didn’t just replace talent - they added experience and versatility. Semien brings leadership and pop from the middle infield.
Williams has the stuff to close games with the same dominance Díaz once provided. Polanco adds depth and flexibility, giving the Mets options they sorely lacked down the stretch last year.
Speaking of last year, the Mets’ 2025 season was a tale of two halves. After a promising start, they collapsed post-All-Star break, ultimately finishing 13 games behind the Phillies in the NL East and missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker. It was a bitter pill, but one that clearly fueled this winter’s aggressive rebuild.
Now, the question is whether they can challenge Philadelphia for the division - and potentially push the Dodgers in the National League as a whole.
Head-to-Head: Mets vs. Dodgers
If you’re wondering how the Mets stack up against the defending champs, look no further than last season’s matchups. New York took four of seven from Los Angeles in 2025, outscoring them by seven runs in the process. That’s not nothing - especially considering how dominant the Dodgers have been in recent years.
Of course, 2024 told a different story. The Dodgers owned the season series and eliminated the Mets in six games in the NLCS. That memory still lingers, but so does the knowledge that the Mets have closed the gap.
The Dodgers, for their part, aren’t standing still. They signed Edwin Díaz away from New York, landing the top reliever on the market.
They’ve also made other key improvements since hoisting the trophy at the end of 2025. This is still the team to beat - deep, experienced, and built for October.
But if the Mets’ new core clicks, and if their high-variance bets pay off, the Dodgers might have their hands full. This isn’t just about one team catching lightning in a bottle - it’s about a franchise that’s decided it’s time to win now.
The NL East race is going to be a dogfight. The Mets and Phillies both have the firepower to go deep. But when it comes to threatening the Dodgers’ reign, New York might just have the highest ceiling of anyone in the league.
So, who are you most looking forward to seeing square off in 2026? Mets-Dodgers might be the rivalry we didn’t know we needed - until now.