Mets spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla. is about halfway over, with the regular season starting in about three weeks against the Astros in Houston.
While New York assembled a deep roster that should be able to withstand some injuries, there have been some significant recent hits — especially in the starting rotation.
And injury questions have caused some uncertainty pretty much everywhere except the expected regular everyday lineup.
Here is our 26-man roster prediction 3.0 for Opening Day…
REGULAR LINEUP
Francisco Alvarez: C
Pete Alonso: 1B
Jeff McNeil: 2B
Francisco Lindor: SS
Mark Vientos: 3B
Brandon Nimmo: LF
Jose Siri: CF
Juan Soto: RF
Jesse Winker: DH
The one thing that changed here from our roster prediction 2.0 is the presence of Jose Siri as the regular in center field instead of Tyrone Taylor.
An elite defender, Siri has been getting some serious burn in center in grapefruit league games. And at the plate, he has flashed the power he’s known for.
If Siri can have a season like he did in 2023 (.761 OPS) instead of the results he put up in 2024 (.620 OPS) he could be one of the steals of the offseason.
Elsewhere, there really aren’t many decisions for the Mets to make.
They’ll have to decide how to order everyone, but Francisco Lindor is locked into the leadoff spot and Juan Soto will hit second. After those two MVP candidates, it will likely be some combination of Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Vientos.
As far as second base goes, there is nothing to indicate that it isn’t Jeff McNeil‘s job.
The regular DH should be the lefty-swinging Jesse Winker, who had a .788 OPS and 13 of his 14 home runs last season against right-handed pitchers.
Winker has mashed righties during his career, with an .841 OPS against them, compared to his .661 mark against lefties.
STARTING ROTATION
Kodai Senga: RHP
Clay Holmes: RHP
David Peterson: LHP
Paul Blackburn: RHP
Griffin Canning: RHP
Injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas have shaken things up.
Manaea (oblique) and Montas (lat) will both miss the beginning of the season, with Manaea possibly returning at some point in April and Montas’ return more murky. Montas could potentially be back in May, but a June return to action might be more likely.
Manager Carlos Mendoza has been asked recently about whether the Mets will stick with their plan to use a six-man rotation now that they’re down two starters. He’s kind of danced around the answer, but the guess here is that the Mets will open the season with a five-man starting staff.
The absences of Manaea and Montas mean the Mets will be counting even more on a smooth transition from reliever to starter for Clay Holmes (who has looked fantastic during spring training games) and a bounce back health-wise for Kodai Senga (who missed almost all of last season).
Meanwhile, New York will also have to choose two starters from the group of Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, Tylor Megill, and the recently-signed Jose Ureña.
Megill has a minor league option remaining, so it’s fair to believe Canning and Blackburn (who are both out of options) have a leg up in the rotation battle.
As far as Ureña, he’s a solid depth option, but it’s hard to see him making the Opening Day roster if everyone else remains healthy.
Brandon Sproat, who opened eyes this past Friday in 2.0 dominant innings, could make an impact in the rotation sooner rather than later. But unless there’s a big surprise, he’ll open the season with Triple-A Syracuse.
BULLPEN
Edwin Diaz: CLS
Reed Garrett: RHP
Ryne Stanek: RHP
Dedniel Núñez: RHP
Jose Butto: RHP
Sean Reid-Foley: RHP
Genesis Cabrera: LHP
Max Kranick: RHP
There are four locks here — Edwin Diaz, Reed Garrett, Ryne Stanek, and Jose Butto.
Dedniel Núñez will be on the roster if healthy, and Sean Reid-Foley seems like a very strong bet to make it.
That leaves two open spots.
A.J. Minter threw his first live batting practice session of the spring on Sunday, and he’s progressing well following offseason hip surgery. But he could need some extra time to get ready. And if Minter isn’t on the roster from the jump, it could open the door for lefty non-roster invitee Genesis Cabrera to slot in.
Cabrera has upside, is out of options, and has pitched well this spring — with four strikeouts in 2.0 scoreless innings.
As far as the last spot in the bullpen, that should be Max Kranick‘s to lose.
Making a transition from starter to multi-inning reliever, Kranick has fired 4.0 scoreless innings with a 0.75 WHIP this spring. And his stuff — including a high-octane fastball — is legit.
BENCH
Tyrone Taylor: OF
Luis Torrens: C
Brett Baty: INF
Alexander Canario: DH/OF
With infielder Nick Madrigal likely lost for the season, there are only two bench locks.
One is Tyrone Taylor (or Jose Siri), who will be on the bench when not starting in center field. The other is Luis Torrens. Beyond that, there is room for one backup infielder and one backup outfielder/DH option.
While Luisangel Acuña is in the mix for the backup infielder spot — along with Jared Young and Donovan Walton — it’s hard to make an argument against Brett Baty, who can play third base, second base, first base, and corner outfield in a pinch.
Mendoza spoke earlier this spring about Baty getting some reps at shortstop. And as long as he can handle that spot in an emergency, he should be on the team.
When it comes to the final spot, it would be Starling Marte‘s. But Marte is dealing with a knee issue and hasn’t played in games yet. That could open the door for Alexander Canario to make it.
Canario, who brings a blend of speed, power, and versatility, is out of options.
Read the full article here
