Juan Soto’s arrival, reworked bullpen among biggest Mets storylines entering spring training

One of the biggest challenges the Mets will face in 2025 will be figuring out how to recapture the magic of 2024. There was Grimace, there was “OMG” and there was the playoff pumpkin, but the magic only took them so far.

A few months after the Los Angeles Dodgers ended their season, the Amazin’s made it known that they’ll be coming for the champs in 2025. They signed slugger Juan Soto to a record 15-year, $765 million contract, and brought back fan favorites like Sean Manaea and Pete Alonso this winter.

But while Los Angeles looms large across the country, the Mets’ focus is solely on themselves as they descend on Port St. Lucie for spring training. Pitchers and catchers report Tuesday. Here’s a look at where the Mets stand and the biggest questions they’ll seek to answer before Opening Day on March 27.

COACHING STAFF

Manager Carlos Mendoza and his entire 2024 big league staff return this season, providing the Mets with stability and familiarity. Last season was Mendoza’s first as the skipper and it was evident early on that he was ready for the job. Aaron Boone’s former bench coach in the Bronx deftly navigated a challenging early season slump and turned the ship around, guiding the Mets to a Wild Card playoff spot and Game 6 of the NLCS. For his efforts, he was named a finalist for NL Manager of the Year.

His players appreciate that he’s engaging and personable with them. The Venezuela native has brought accountability to the clubhouse and collaborative coaching culture. Hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez return, as well as pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. New this season is assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who worked with Mendoza when the two were with the Yankees.

STARTING PITCHING

Manaea was in tears the last time he wore a Mets uniform, but he’s back on a three-year, $75 million pact. Manaea was the ace the Mets needed last season when right-hander Kodai Senga was injured, turning in a career year and reinventing himself after two challenging seasons with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. Senga, Manaea and left-hander David Peterson project to be the Mets’ top three.

His former Oakland A’s teammate, right-hander Frankie Montas, is hoping to build off of his second-half performance with the Milwaukee Brewers last season. Hefner is quickly building a reputation as a coach who can help transform scuffling back-end starters into frontline rotation options, and the Mets are hoping Montas can benefit from his coaching. The same goes for right-hander Clay Holmes, a former Yankees closer who will stretch out to start this spring.

Depth options include right-hander Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning. The Mets will need those two, as well as others throughout the season, as they plan to use a six-man rotation.

PROSPECT TO WATCH: Right-hander Brandon Sproat, the club’s top pitching prospect, will likely start the season in Triple-A, but could make his big league debut later in 2025.

BIGGEST QUESTIONS: Senga’s health will be a question until he proves it shouldn’t be. The Mets consider him healthy, but there was some speculation of further injury after his agent, Joel Wolfe, described his offseason workouts as a rehab progression during the winter meetings in December. Holmes will also be a story to watch since the 31-year-old hasn’t started a big league game since 2018.

RELIEF PITCHING

Closer Edwin Diaz headlines the bullpen group once again. The right-hander had an up-and-down season in 2024, his first since a World Baseball Classic knee injury in 2023. But when it mattered most, Diaz came through with a 3.00 ERA and 10 saves in the second half of the season. Ryne Stanek, a hard-throwing right-hander who was acquired ahead of the trade deadline last year, returns to set up for Diaz, and left-hander A.J. Minter and right-hander Reed Garrett bring high-leverage experience.

This group underwent a significant makeover this winter, but there are familiar faces returning with right-hander Dedniel Nuñez and Sean Reid-Foley. They both ended the season injured, but are expected to be ready to compete for roster spots this spring.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Mets have plenty of arms with big league experience looking to earn roster spots out of camp, including right-handers Max Kranick, Tyler Zuber and Dylan Covey, and left-hander Danny Young.

BIGGEST QUESTIONS: Tylor Megill is likely going to move to the bullpen this season. The Mets have been intrigued by the possibility of his velocity in a relief role, but valued the starting pitching depth in the past. The big right-hander has never been able to establish any sort of consistency as a starter and this move feels like it’s been a long time coming. Right-hander Jose Butto struggled as the long man in relief late in the season and in the postseason, but the Mets still seem inclined to use him out of the bullpen.

CATCHERS

The big league catching crew is set with Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens. But the organizational depth is somewhat thin. The Mets don’t have another backstop on their 40-man roster but minor league free agents Chris Williams and Jakson Reetz will provide some depth at Triple-A. Kevin Parada and Hayden Senger are the prospects to watch. Senger hasn’t hit much in the minor leagues, but is excellent defensively. Parada, a first-round pick in 2022, will look to take the next step in his development.

INFIELD

Up the middle it’s Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil. Lindor, the heart and soul of the Mets, was snubbed last season for the All-Star Game and a Gold Glove, despite being an elite defensive shortstop. The leadoff hitter nearly turned in another 30-30 season and likely would have if a late-season back injury didn’t cost him games.

With Alonso rejoining the Mets, the corners are set. Mark Vientos won’t have to move across the diamond from third to first, allowing one of the Mets’ top young hitters to come into spring training with his spot solidified for the first time. Vientos and Alonso don’t exactly rate high defensively, but Vientos made tremendous improvements last season when playing every day at the hot corner, and Alonso is a solid enough defender that the Mets don’t worry about first base.

PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Luisangel Acuña impressed in a 14-game stint last September and gained valuable experience with the team during the postseason. His speed on the basepaths is his calling card and running game coordinator Antwan Richardson will work with him this spring on to help him understand when and how to best utilize it. Jett Williams, the team’s second-ranked prospect, is expected to be in big league camp once again.

BIGGEST QUESTIONS: What will the Mets do with Brett Baty? The third baseman is blocked at third base by Vientos, at second by McNeil and Nick Madrigal is expected to start the season as the utility man. Ronny Mauricio missed all of last season with a knee injury, and while he was recently able to resume baseball activities, the Mets plan to take it slow with him as spring training begins.

OUTFIELD

Soto will be the big draw for fans at Clover Park this spring. A generational hitter, the Mets are hoping he can improve his right field defense. The Mets consider it “league average” and scouts have long predicted that he’ll end up becoming a designated hitter full-time. Starling Marte didn’t rate well defensively last season, but Mets officials felt that his defense and effort were better than what the numbers said. The veteran right fielder, who is entering the fourth and final year of his contract, is expected to platoon with Jesse Winker at DH in addition to spelling Soto on occasion in the outfield.

Brandon Nimmo will man left field, though where he will hit this year is a different story. With Soto expected to hit second, Nimmo may have to move down toward the middle of the order.

The only position battle could come in center field with Tyrone Taylor and Jose Siri, though it may not be much of a battle. Taylor offers more with his bat than Siri, and he also plays all three outfield positions. Siri has great range and speed in the outfield. He uses that speed at the plate, but he’s known to be a bit wild on the basepaths at times.

PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Drew Gilbert, acquired in the Justin Verlander trade in 2023, battled injuries last season but should be coming into camp healthy. He’s an undersized outfielder, but his size has never limited him. He’s aggressive, fast and has a strong arm in the outfield, and can get the ball in the air at the plate.

BIGGEST QUESTIONS: Nimmo battled plantar fasciitis during the postseason but is expected to come into camp healthy. It’s a crowded outfield with Marte and Soto and it’s unclear just how much time Marte is expected to get defensively.