One of many largest challenges the Mets will face in 2025 will likely be determining how one can recapture the magic of 2024. There was Grimace, there was “OMG” and there was the playoff pumpkin, however the magic solely took them to date.
A number of months after the Los Angeles Dodgers ended their season, the Amazin’s made it identified that they’ll be coming for the champs in 2025. They signed slugger Juan Soto to a document 15-year, $765 million contract, and introduced again fan favorites like Sean Manaea and Pete Alonso this winter.
However whereas Los Angeles looms giant throughout the nation, the Mets’ focus is solely on themselves as they descend on Port St. Lucie for spring coaching. Pitchers and catchers report Tuesday. Right here’s a take a look at the place the Mets stand and the most important questions they’ll search to reply earlier than Opening Day on March 27.
COACHING STAFF
Supervisor Carlos Mendoza and his whole 2024 massive league workers return this season, offering the Mets with stability and familiarity. Final season was Mendoza’s first because the skipper and it was evident early on that he was prepared for the job. Aaron Boone’s former bench coach within the Bronx deftly navigated a difficult early season stoop and turned the ship round, guiding the Mets to a Wild Card playoff spot and Sport 6 of the NLCS. For his efforts, he was named a finalist for NL Supervisor of the 12 months.
His gamers admire that he’s partaking and personable with them. The Venezuela native has introduced accountability to the clubhouse and collaborative teaching tradition. Hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez return, in addition to pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. New this season is assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who labored with Mendoza when the 2 have been with the Yankees.
STARTING PITCHING
Manaea was in tears the final time he wore a Mets uniform, however he’s again on a three-year, $75 million pact. Manaea was the ace the Mets wanted final season when right-hander Kodai Senga was injured, delivering a profession 12 months and reinventing himself after two difficult seasons with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. Senga, Manaea and left-hander David Peterson undertaking to be the Mets’ prime three.
His former Oakland A’s teammate, right-hander Frankie Montas, is hoping to construct off of his second-half efficiency with the Milwaukee Brewers final season. Hefner is rapidly constructing a popularity as a coach who may help remodel scuffling back-end starters into frontline rotation choices, and the Mets are hoping Montas can profit from his teaching. The identical goes for right-hander Clay Holmes, a former Yankees nearer who will stretch out to begin this spring.
Depth choices embrace right-hander Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning. The Mets will want these two, in addition to others all through the season, as they plan to make use of a six-man rotation.
PROSPECT TO WATCH: Proper-hander Brandon Sproat, the membership’s prime pitching prospect, will probably begin the season in Triple-A, however might make his massive league debut later in 2025.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS: Senga’s well being will likely be a query till he proves it shouldn’t be. The Mets contemplate him wholesome, however there was some hypothesis of additional harm after his agent, Joel Wolfe, described his offseason exercises as a rehab development in the course of the winter conferences in December. Holmes will even be a narrative to look at for the reason that 31-year-old hasn’t began an enormous league sport since 2018.
RELIEF PITCHING
Nearer Edwin Diaz headlines the bullpen group as soon as once more. The proper-hander had an up-and-down season in 2024, his first since a World Baseball Traditional knee harm in 2023. However when it mattered most, Diaz got here via with a 3.00 ERA and 10 saves within the second half of the season. Ryne Stanek, a hard-throwing right-hander who was acquired forward of the commerce deadline final 12 months, returns to arrange for Diaz, and left-hander A.J. Minter and right-hander Reed Garrett carry high-leverage expertise.
This group underwent a big makeover this winter, however there are acquainted faces returning with right-hander Dedniel Nuñez and Sean Reid-Foley. They each ended the season injured, however are anticipated to be able to compete for roster spots this spring.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Mets have loads of arms with massive league expertise seeking to earn roster spots out of camp, together with right-handers Max Kranick, Tyler Zuber and Dylan Covey, and left-hander Danny Younger.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS: Tylor Megill is probably going going to maneuver to the bullpen this season. The Mets have been intrigued by the potential of his velocity in a reduction function, however valued the beginning pitching depth up to now. The massive right-hander has by no means been capable of set up any type of consistency as a starter and this transfer feels prefer it’s been a very long time coming. Proper-hander Jose Butto struggled because the lengthy man in reduction late within the season and within the postseason, however the Mets nonetheless appear inclined to make use of him out of the bullpen.
CATCHERS
The massive league catching crew is ready with Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens. However the organizational depth is considerably skinny. The Mets don’t have one other backstop on their 40-man roster however minor league free brokers Chris Williams and Jakson Reetz will present some depth at Triple-A. Kevin Parada and Hayden Senger are the prospects to look at. Senger hasn’t hit a lot within the minor leagues, however is superb defensively. Parada, a first-round decide in 2022, will look to take the subsequent step in his improvement.
INFIELD
Up the center it’s Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil. Lindor, the center and soul of the Mets, was snubbed final season for the All-Star Sport and a Gold Glove, regardless of being an elite defensive shortstop. The leadoff hitter practically turned in one other 30-30 season and sure would have if a late-season again harm didn’t price him video games.
With Alonso rejoining the Mets, the corners are set. Mark Vientos gained’t have to maneuver throughout the diamond from third to first, permitting one of many Mets’ prime younger hitters to come back into spring coaching along with his spot solidified for the primary time. Vientos and Alonso don’t precisely price excessive defensively, however Vientos made large enhancements final season when taking part in each day on the sizzling nook, and Alonso is a stable sufficient defender that the Mets don’t fear about first base.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Luisangel Acuña impressed in a 14-game stint final September and gained priceless expertise with the crew in the course of the postseason. His pace on the basepaths is his calling card and operating sport coordinator Antwan Richardson will work with him this spring on to assist him perceive when and how one can finest put it to use. Jett Williams, the crew’s second-ranked prospect, is predicted to be in massive league camp as soon as once more.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS: What’s going to the Mets do with Brett Baty? The third baseman is blocked at third base by Vientos, at second by McNeil and Nick Madrigal is predicted to begin the season because the utility man. Ronny Mauricio missed all of final season with a knee harm, and whereas he was not too long ago capable of resume baseball actions, the Mets plan to take it sluggish with him as spring coaching begins.
OUTFIELD
Soto would be the massive draw for followers at Clover Park this spring. A generational hitter, the Mets are hoping he can enhance his proper discipline protection. The Mets contemplate it “league average” and scouts have lengthy predicted that he’ll find yourself changing into a chosen hitter full-time. Starling Marte didn’t price properly defensively final season, however Mets officers felt that his protection and energy have been higher than what the numbers mentioned. The veteran proper fielder, who’s getting into the fourth and closing 12 months of his contract, is predicted to platoon with Jesse Winker at DH along with spelling Soto from time to time within the outfield.
Brandon Nimmo will man left discipline, although the place he’ll hit this 12 months is a unique story. With Soto anticipated to hit second, Nimmo could have to maneuver down towards the center of the order.
The one place battle might are available in heart discipline with Tyrone Taylor and Jose Siri, although it is probably not a lot of a battle. Taylor affords extra along with his bat than Siri, and he additionally performs all three outfield positions. Siri has nice vary and pace within the outfield. He makes use of that pace on the plate, however he’s identified to be a bit wild on the basepaths at occasions.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Drew Gilbert, acquired within the Justin Verlander commerce in 2023, battled accidents final season however needs to be coming into camp wholesome. He’s an undersized outfielder, however his dimension has by no means restricted him. He’s aggressive, quick and has a robust arm within the outfield, and might get the ball within the air on the plate.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS: Nimmo battled plantar fasciitis in the course of the postseason however is predicted to come back into camp wholesome. It’s a crowded outfield with Marte and Soto and it’s unclear simply how a lot time Marte is predicted to get defensively.
