Juan Soto may not have talked to any of his former teammates on the Yankees about free company, however there’s a member of the Mets he talked about Thursday throughout his introductory press convention: Proper fielder Starling Marte, the participant whose place he’s taking in proper area.
Soto talked about having talked to Marte prior to now and having talked with him all through the season. This isn’t essentially stunning, contemplating the 2 each come from the Dominican Republic and performed for the Nationwide League group on the 2022 MLB All-Star Sport. Marte even welcomed Soto to the Mets with an Instagram story earlier this week.
Having a longtime friendship may very well be helpful for the reason that outfield is just a little crowded proper now.
The 36-year-old Marte has one 12 months left on his four-year contract, Brandon Nimmo has left area locked down and Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor are anticipated to share time in heart area. With out Soto, that’s a reasonably stable defensive outfield. Whereas Marte’s metrics haven’t been what they was during the last two years, he’s nonetheless received a robust arm and good instincts in proper area.
However you don’t pay somebody greater than $50 million a 12 months to have them play second-fiddle to a veteran, even when Soto doesn’t charge effectively defensively. Ultimately, Soto may transfer to a full-time DH function, however that transfer isn’t coming anytime quickly.
“I think he is probably about a league average right fielder, and we think he has the ability to get better,” mentioned Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. “That’s something that we actually talked to Juan about during our meetings with him, and he is very motivated to continue to improve his defense. He got better this past year and we think we can take another step.”
So for now, it sounds prefer it could be Marte shifting to that DH function. With a lot of the 2025 roster nonetheless being constructed, the Mets haven’t but determined the right way to use Marte. They know he prefers to play within the area every single day, saying it retains him engaged in all points of the sport. However after two years of battling groin and knee accidents, a DH function may very well be simpler on his physique.
“Look, he’s a big part of what we’re doing here,” Mendoza mentioned of Marte. “We’ve still got ways to go and we’re going to be very honest with him, but what he told me is, ‘I’m willing to do whatever you guys need me to do. I’m ready to go, I just want to win.’”
Soto is happy to hit behind Francisco Lindor, calling him “one of the best leadoff hitters in the game.” The highest of the lineup is already shaping as much as be a nightmare state of affairs for opposing pitchers, with Lindor, Soto, Nimmo and Mark Vientos. All of them take quite a lot of pitches and have energy. And whereas the Mets are nonetheless discussing a transfer for lineup safety — probably Pete Alonso — Mendoza famous that safety goes each methods.
“As far as protection goes, I see it as who is hitting in front of them as well,” Mendoza mentioned. “If the guys who are hitting in front of him are not getting on base, you know, that’s a way of protecting him, too. And we do have some really good players. So like I said, comfortable with what we have right now.”
The scenario with Alonso stays fluid. A market has not but emerged however it’s anticipated to quickly. The Mets have been vocal about their need to deliver again the homegrown first baseman with Steve Cohen reiterating it Thursday.
“We think he’s a great Met and we’re still engaged. We hope he stays as a Met,” the proprietor mentioned. “He’s entitled to go out, test his market and see what it is. Hopefully we’ll get there.”
What the roster will appear to be by spring coaching remains to be unknown. It’s no secret the Mets want extra pitching, however they may proceed so as to add to the lineup as effectively. Soto is the centerpiece, however after seeing how lengthy the Dodgers’ lineup performed within the postseason, the Mets are hoping so as to add extra depth and Cohen is greater than prepared to spend so as to add extra.
