PORT ST. LUCIE — It’s not misplaced on Carlos Mendoza that this time final yr, as he was starting spring coaching within the supervisor’s seat for the primary time, the narrative concerning the Mets was far totally different than it’s right this moment. Many of the preseason projections in 2024 had the Mets ending exterior of a playoff spot whereas the group acknowledged a aim of merely competing for a kind of coveted spots, harkening again to a time when “meaningful September baseball” was part of the lexicon.
“Last year, I remember sitting here and nobody talked about expectations from the Mets,” Mendoza stated Tuesday at Clover Park.
How instances have modified.
The Mets open spring coaching this week as respectable contenders within the NL. The Los Angeles Dodgers might need the entire fanfare and what looks like half of the Japanese nationwide group out in Arizona proper now, however by signing Juan Soto and bringing again a lot of the core that took the Dodgers to 6 video games within the NLCS final yr, the Mets are poised to be the group to beat within the east.
“I get it, there are people talking,” Mendoza stated. “But at the end of the day, we need to take care of the things that we need to take care of. Everything that is said outside of his locker room does not matter. We’ve got to go out there. We know we’ve got a good team, but there’s a long way to go.”
Mendoza characterised the sky-high expectations as exterior. It’s far too early to foretell the end result of a 162-game season, and there are too many variables to even make any guesses. However final season, the shortage of perception from across the league galvanized the Mets. Former designated hitter J.D. Martinez stated it finest hours after the Mets clinched a postseason berth in Atlanta: “You know what, they say we suck? We suck. Let’s suck. Let’s go suck together. Let’s go have fun sucking.”
The sentiment stays. Mendoza desires the group to “embrace” the expectations.
“What’s the alternative?” he stated.
Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns have laid the framework for the success after their first season working collectively. Now, in Yr 2, a lot of the identical group returns, although questions stay. The lineup is loaded with Francisco Lindor and Soto offering what may very well be the most effective 1-2 punch within the recreation on the prime. Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and rising younger slugger Mark Vientos present energy within the center. Catcher Francisco Alvarez might carry the identical decrease down whereas former batting champ Jeff McNeil doubtlessly provides size towards the underside.
The rotation stays the largest query mark. Kodai Senga threw solely 5 innings final season and was unable to supply the Mets with what they wanted within the playoffs. Ought to Senga return to his 2023 type, he’ll be a giant “addition” of kinds, however the beginning rotation presently lacks a real ace. Left-hander Sean Manaea returns as a free agent and left-hander David Peterson is hoping to observe up a breakout marketing campaign, however as soon as once more, the Mets are counting on tasks to fill out the remaining spot.
Clay Holmes hasn’t began since 2018, Frankie Montas hasn’t posted an ERA beneath 4.05 since 2022, Paul Blackburn ended 2024 with a freak damage, Griffin Canning by no means developed into the frontline starter the Los Angeles Angels hoped he would, and Tylor Megill has been up and down over the previous few seasons.
The group wish to use a six-man rotation, however their capability to take action will hinge on the well being of Senga and others. Even when they will roll six starters, these six aren’t precisely as imposing because the Dodgers’ six. However the Mets had success with revamping starters final season, and so they assume they’ve discovered a formulation with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
“That’s more like outside noise,” Mendoza stated. “We feel comfortable with the front end of our rotation, especially if everyone is healthy, but we also feel good about our depth.”
Since Day 1, Mendoza has seemed exceptionally snug with the job. This yr, it’s extra snug for everybody. There are fewer new names to be taught and the techniques and processes introduced by Mendoza, Stearns and others have already been applied. The teaching employees is identical, with the one new addition being a well-known face — assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who beforehand coached the Yankees with Mendoza.
However Mendoza is aware of the Mets can’t relaxation on what they did final season. It was a enjoyable experience, however one which finally stopped in need of the last word vacation spot.
It’s a brand new season with new expectations.
“We need to become a team,” Mendoza stated. “We’ve got a lot of talent, we’ve got some new faces, and it might not happen in six weeks. I want to see guys continue to work on other crafts, continue to get better, continue to work on the details. And we need to keep guys healthy.”
