PORT ST. LUCIE — It’s not lost on Carlos Mendoza that this time last year, as he was beginning spring training in the manager’s seat for the first time, the narrative about the Mets was far different than it is today. Most of the preseason projections in 2024 had the Mets finishing outside of a playoff spot while the team stated a goal of simply competing for one of those coveted spots, harkening back to a time when “meaningful September baseball” was a part of the lexicon.
“Last year, I remember sitting here and nobody talked about expectations from the Mets,” Mendoza said Tuesday at Clover Park.
How times have changed.
The Mets open spring training this week as legitimate contenders in the NL. The Los Angeles Dodgers might have all of the fanfare and what seems like half of the Japanese national team out in Arizona right now, but by signing Juan Soto and bringing back much of the core that took the Dodgers to six games in the NLCS last year, the Mets are poised to be the team to beat in the east.
“I get it, there are people talking,” Mendoza said. “But at the end of the day, we need to take care of the things that we need to take care of. Everything that is said outside of his locker room does not matter. We’ve got to go out there. We know we’ve got a good team, but there’s a long way to go.”
Mendoza characterized the sky-high expectations as external. It’s far too early to predict the outcome of a 162-game season, and there are too many variables to even make any guesses. But last season, the lack of belief from around the league galvanized the Mets. Former designated hitter J.D. Martinez said it best hours after the Mets clinched a postseason berth in Atlanta: “You know what, they say we suck? We suck. Let’s suck. Let’s go suck together. Let’s go have fun sucking.”
The sentiment remains. Mendoza wants the team to “embrace” the expectations.
“What’s the alternative?” he said.
Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns have laid the framework for the success after their first season working together. Now, in Year 2, much of the same team returns, though questions remain. The lineup is loaded with Francisco Lindor and Soto providing what could be the best 1-2 punch in the game at the top. Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and emerging young slugger Mark Vientos provide power in the middle. Catcher Francisco Alvarez could bring the same lower down while former batting champ Jeff McNeil potentially adds length toward the bottom.
The rotation remains the biggest question mark. Kodai Senga threw only five innings last season and was unable to provide the Mets with what they needed in the playoffs. Should Senga return to his 2023 form, he’ll be a big “addition” of sorts, but the starting rotation currently lacks a true ace. Left-hander Sean Manaea returns as a free agent and left-hander David Peterson is hoping to follow up a breakout campaign, but once again, the Mets are relying on projects to fill out the remaining spot.
Clay Holmes hasn’t started since 2018, Frankie Montas hasn’t posted an ERA under 4.05 since 2022, Paul Blackburn ended 2024 with a freak injury, Griffin Canning never developed into the frontline starter the Los Angeles Angels hoped he would, and Tylor Megill has been up and down over the last few seasons.
The team would like to use a six-man rotation, but their ability to do so will hinge on the health of Senga and others. Even if they can roll six starters, those six aren’t exactly as imposing as the Dodgers’ six. But the Mets had success with revamping starters last season, and they think they’ve figured out a formula with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
“That’s more like outside noise,” Mendoza said. “We feel comfortable with the front end of our rotation, especially if everyone is healthy, but we also feel good about our depth.”
Since Day 1, Mendoza has looked exceptionally comfortable with the job. This year, it’s more comfortable for everyone. There are fewer new names to learn and the systems and processes brought by Mendoza, Stearns and others have already been implemented. The coaching staff is the same, with the only new addition being a familiar face — assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who previously coached the Yankees with Mendoza.
But Mendoza knows the Mets can’t rest on what they did last season. It was a fun ride, but one that ultimately stopped short of the ultimate destination.
It’s a new season with new expectations.
“We need to become a team,” Mendoza said. “We’ve got a lot of talent, we’ve got some new faces, and it might not happen in six weeks. I want to see guys continue to work on other crafts, continue to get better, continue to work on the details. And we need to keep guys healthy.”