General Manager David Stearns responded to missing the playoffs by eliminating emotion, and taking a cold, business approach to team building. The New York Mets are going to report to Port St. Lucie without several fan favorites — Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo.
PROJECTED OPENING DAY ROSTER
Projected Opening Day Lineup
- Francisco Lindor, SS (S)
- Juan Soto, RF (L)
- Luis Robert Jr., CF (R)
- Bo Bichette, 3B (R)
- Jorge Polanco, 1B (S)
- Mark Vientos, DH (R)
- Francisco Alvarez, C (R)
- Marcus Semien, 2B (R)
- Tyrone Taylor, LF (R)
Projected Opening Day Reserves
- Luis Torrens, C (R)
- Ronny Mauricio, INF (S)
- Brett Baty, UTIL (L)
- Vidal Bruján, UTIL (S)
PROJECTED OPENING DAY PITCHING STAFF
Starting Rotation
- Freddy Peralta, SP (R)
- Nolan McLean, SP (R)
- Sean Manaea, SP (L)
- Clay Holmes, SP (R)
- David Peterson, SP (L)
- Kodai Senga, SP (R)
Bullpen
- Devin Williams, Closer (R)
- Luke Weaver, Setup (R)
- J. Minter, Setup (L)
- Brooks Raley, Setup (L)
- Tobias Myers, Middle Relief (R)
- Huascar Brazobán, Long Relief (R)
- Luis Garcia, Long Relief (R)
Q&A FROM OUR READER RANTBACK FILES
Q: Do you think the Mets’ lineup is too right-handed?
A: Exactly why I thought Cody Bellinger was a better free agent fit for the Mets, and Bo Bichette for the Yankees. But in fairness, the expectation is that they will still have four lefty hitters in the lineup against right-handed pitching. In addition to Juan Soto and switch-hitters Francisco Lindor and Jorge Polanco — we expect Brett Baty to play somewhere (2B, 3B, LF) against all righties. Plus, they are very high on 23-year-old rookie outfielder Carson Benge. We are projecting him to start in Syracuse but he could be back in Queens by June.
Q: Will the Mets miss Edwin Diaz?
A: In a perfect world, Diaz is still the closer and former Yankees Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are setting him up. But Diaz wanted to bring Timmy Trumpet to Hollywood. Stearns did a great job pivoting, as Williams was his old Brewers-self in September and October. Plus, Weaver has closing experience too.
Q: Are you surprised the Mets didn’t cut bait with Kodai Senga to make room for Jonah Tong?
A: No, because they would’ve been selling Senga for pennies on the dollar. By acquiring Freddy Peralta as their ace, they have taken pressure off of Senga as he hopes to regain his 2023 form. Tong, who has only logged 11.2 innings in Triple A, will be able to continue to work on his craft in Syracuse until the Mets need him.
IMPORTANT DATES
2-20-26 — Spring Training Opener vs Miami (1:10p)
3-05-26 — 2026 World Baseball Classic Begins (TBD)
3-17-26 — WBC Final Game in Miami (TBD)
3-26-26 — Citi Field Home Opener vs Pittsburgh (1:15p)
5-15-26 — Subway Series in Citi Field (7:10p)
5-16-26 — Subway Series in Citi Field (7:15p)
5-17-26 — Subway Series in Citi Field (1:40p)
8-03-26 — MLB Trade Deadline (6:00p)
9-11-26 — Subway Series at Yankee Stadium (7:05p)
9-12-26 — Subway Series at Yankee Stadium (1:35p)
9-13-26 — Subway Series at Yankee Stadium (1:35p)
9-27-26 — Final Regular Season Game at Washington (3:05p)
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