A wild offseason for the Mets is nearing a conclusion. Pitchers and catchers report to the Clover Park complex on Tuesday, and their first workout is scheduled for Wednesday. Position players will start to trickle into the complex signaling a new season ahead.
Spring training always features new faces, but this spring, the Mets aren’t just integrating new role players or minor league prospects, they’re working in new stars and new coaches.
Here are some of the most important storylines to watch for this spring in Port St. Lucie.
POSITION SWITCHES
Jeff McNeil is no longer around to reject Brett Baty’s hugs, so it’s Baty’s job to play all around the infield and outfield, and maybe even reject some hugs. The Mets were so encouraged by Baty’s ability to learn second base and field the position well that they decided to have him add a few new clubs to his bag. In addition to second and third base, Baty will take reps at first base and in left field this spring.
Baty is making this in part to accommodate Bo Bichette, a career shortstop who signed with the Mets in January to play third base. Jorge Polanco, another career middle infielder, signed to play first base after having worked out at the spot last season with the Seattle Mariners.
It’s a strange alignment for a team that put so much emphasis on run prevention and defense this winter, and the Mets have acknowledged that there will be a learning curve. They feel comfortable moving these specific players around because of their aptitude and their work ethics.
Bichette is exceptionally determined and hard-working, and was able to pick up second base during the World Series. Polanco has been working on this conversion for a year. Baty took reps in left field as recently as 2023. At one point, the organization debated whether or not to convert him to outfield full-time, but eventually settled on keeping him at third.
STARTING PITCHING HEALTH
Every year, the Mets seem to lose a starting pitcher for the start of the season. They’re no different than other teams in this respect, though sometimes it feels like the Mets lose their top pitchers more often than other teams. Right-hander Tylor Megill has ended up starting the home opener a few times as a result of pitchers going down like dominoes.
But the Mets can’t rely on Megill this season since he’s rehabbing from elbow surgery. The Mets have six starters penciled in to start spring, and two more who are capable of pitching in the big leagues but will likely have to start the season in Triple-A. Nolan McLean is the only starter of the six who has minor league options, but the Mets aren’t expected to exercise them unless they have to. The club is very bullish on a full season of McLean.
All eyes will be on Freddy Peralta, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Manaea and McLean as camp begins.
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
McLean and Holmes will both pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, while Juan Soto suits up for the Dominican Republic team and Mark Vientos represents Nicaragua, his mother’s native country.
A total of 17 players from the Mets will leave camp to play for their respective countries, but only five from the Major League roster. This is different than in previous seasons when the Mets lost several of their top players to the tournament. It’s not exactly a major disruption, but it can be challenging when so many leaders are missing. For the minor leaguers, it opens up opportunities to play in Grapefruit League games.
Of course, there is always the fear of injuries in the event. Edwin Diaz’s knee injury in the 2023 WBC has undoubtedly left the Mets and their fans scarred, but there are injury risks in spring training as well.
Diaz, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, plans to participate again, pitching for Puerto Rico. Francisco Lindor was expected to be the captain of the team, but in a frustrating turn of events for the Puerto Rican team, he was denied the insurance needed to participate.
NEW VOICES
Despite three managerial changes, the Mets had several coaches return from 2021-2025. This season, manager Carlos Mendoza has an entirely new on-field staff. A disappointing 2025 season spurred significant change. Mendoza’s staff has been overhauled and some of the most prominent voices in the clubhouse departed.
No longer is Brandon Nimmo around to organize team parties, now it’s up to his former co-leader, Lindor. Bichette has also displayed leadership potential, as has Peralta. Peterson has also been increasingly vocal, and catcher Francisco Alvarez has long been a player that others rally around.
