The position groups for the Mets might be mostly set coming into spring training, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any competition in camp. The Mets plan to foster competition among their young rising prospects. With a handful of players learning new positions, the Mets also need to make sure they’re insulated with solid options behind them.
The club typically has a big camp with a lot of minor leaguers starting on the big league side to get them time around established minor leaguers. This also gives them a chance to impress the powers that be in games against major league talent.
Of course, health will be a big factor in the Opening Day roster, but assuming everyone is healthy coming into spring training, here’s a look at who will be competing for playing time in Port St. Lucie.
LEFT FIELD
Since the early days of the offseason, president of baseball operations David Stearns has been consistently saying the club will give Carson Benge a chance to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in the outfield. Benge, 23, has mostly played center field and right field, and was expected to compete for time in center before the Mets traded left fielder Brandon Nimmo and acquired center fielder Luis Robert Jr. With Juan Soto in right field, left field is open for Benge.
He’ll compete with Tyrone Taylor, an excellent defender with a ton of speed and range. Taylor has historically been streaky with his bat, and is coming off of the worst offensive season of his career (.223 average with a .598 OPS, 70 OPS+). But if Taylor starts hitting, the Mets could have an outfield that matches the strength of its lineup. If that’s the case, Benge, a left-handed hitter, could platoon with Taylor, a right-handed hitter, and get some time to develop in a low-pressure, fourth outfielder role to start the season.
BULLPEN
Reed Garrett and Dedniel Nuñez are out this season, rehabbing from elbow surgeries. A.J. Minter is healthy after tearing his lat last season, but the Mets intend to have him start slowly this spring and have said there is a possibility he starts the season on the injured list. The only role that’s set is the closer role with Devin Williams slotted in to finish games.
The Mets don’t currently have a setup man, with Stearns saying that role will likely be determined this spring. The likely candidate is Luke Weaver, another former Yankees closer, but left-hander Brooks Raley could step into that role as well, with Minter also seeing high-leverage innings against top left-handed hitters once he’s off the IL.
Veteran closer Craig Kimbrel has a chance to make the club as well. Signed to a minor league deal recently, Kimbrel isn’t the same pitcher he was at his peak, but he pitched well enough in a low-leverage role for the Houston Astros last season.
Tobias Myers, a right-hander who can start or pitch out of the bullpen, will compete for a long-relief role with Justin Hagenman and Brandon Waddell. In 2022, Trevor Williams was extremely valuable to the Mets as a spot starter and long reliever. Myers is likely the new Williams.
Adbert Alzolay, a right-hander who saved 22 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2023, is healthy after Tommy John surgery. Homegrown arms who will also compete for spots are right-handers Dylan Ross and Jonathan Pintaro, and left-hander Nate Lavender.
INFIELD
Brett Baty will play a utility role as a left fielder, third baseman, second baseman and first baseman, but the Mets are also expected to carry another middle infielder. It appears to be a battle between Ronny Mauricio and Vidal Bruján. The two infielders share the same hometown, San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, but offer some differing elements of their games.
Mauricio is a homegrown infielder whose hit tool is his most important. A switch-hitter, when in the lineup, Mauricio was able to produce somewhat consistently last season, but Baty ran away with third base late in the season, leaving Mauricio on the bench. He’s no longer a prospect and still has plenty to prove, but he’s useful and versatile with the ability to play second base, shortstop and third base.
Bruján, a 27-year-old who played for three teams last season, offers plenty of versatility as well with his ability to play in the outfield. He’s more experienced and possibly more reliable at the plate than Mauricio, but doesn’t offer the same pop or the same speed.
ROTATION
The Mets could open the season with six starting pitchers: Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga. A six-man rotation is something the Mets have talked about over the last few years, but haven’t always been able to use because of injuries. It’s not a plan for the entire season, only during particularly busy stretches of the calendar.
The problem is McLean is the only one in that group who can be optioned to the minor leagues. That puts the Mets in a tough spot with their rookie right-hander. But playing time typically tends to work itself out, and the likelihood of the Mets breaking camp with all six pitchers healthy is slim.
Realistically, the Mets will need all six starters plus several more next season. If they can’t get out of St. Lucie with all six able to start the season, they’ll look to right-handers Christian Scott or Jonah Tong.
