After the quietest offseason since Steve Cohen became owner in September of 2020, the New York Mets open spring training with lower expectations this season. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t several intriguing and important storylines for the Mets as they report to camp in St. Lucie, Florida.
There’ll be a new vibe at Mets spring training. David Stearns is now running baseball operations and Carlos Mendoza is a rookie MLB manager, replacing veteran Buck Showalter. New York is coming off a massively disappointing 75-win season, though just a year removed from a 101-win campaign that was second most in their history.
Playing in the uber-competitive National East, dominated by the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets likely begin spring training with their sights set on competing for a wild card. However, there are those who feel the Mets had a sneaky good offseason and could be a surprise team pushing for the pennant.
But there’s plenty to consider.
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Mets top spring training storylines for 2024
Will Mets add to their roster during spring training?
In his pre-camp press conference Monday, Stearns noted that these days MLB teams continue to build their rosters well into spring training. And that appears to be the case with so many top free agents still unsigned.
Assuming prices come down as players get antsy to get their deals done, will the Mets jump in to make a bargain signing or two? That plan seems to fit the Stearns playbook, so keep an eye on the Mets possibly adding another arm to the bullpen in this scenario.
And let’s see if there’s fire with the smoke of rumors linking the Mets to free agent DH J.D. Martinez. That could be a game-changing move if New York adds the elite designated hitter to bat behind Pete Alonso in the lineup, making the Mets a more appealing wild card option in the National League.
Are Brett Baty, Mark Vientos more MLB-ready in 2024?
Neither Brett Baty nor Mark Vientos had a smooth transition to the majors last season after blitzing through triple-A. Baty was handed the starting third base job early in the season and coughed it back up, eventually getting sent back to the minors. Way too many weak ground balls populated the former first-round pick’s 353 at bats last season, leading to a .212 average and .598 OPS.
With Ronny Mauricio likely out for the season after knee surgery, Baty is expected to play most days at third. But has he rediscovered that sweet line-drive stroke? If so, he’ll be a valuable left-handed bat in the middle of the order. If not, Vientos may get some run at the hot corner.
Known for his bat not his glove, Vientos is likely in the mix for DH at bats this season. The 24-year-old finished strong in 2023 after finally receiving consistent playing time and hit nine home runs in 218 at bats. But, like Baty, the jury is still out if he’s a major league hitter.
Based on Stearns’ comments, it appears the kids will get their chance this season. Stearns said that’s part of his philosophy, giving opportunity to young players even when they struggle or fail. If the Mets are to be any type of playoff contender in 2024, they need this pair to live up to their previous hype.
Can Edwin Diaz regain his 2022 magic after missing all of last season?
Well this spring training can’t go nearly as terribly for Edwin Diaz as it did in 2023. Right?
Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his knee during the World baseball Classic last spring and missed the entire 2023 season. This after Diaz emerged as MLB’s elite closer in 2022, when he had a 1.31 ERA, 0.839 WHIP, 34 saves and a crazy 17.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
The soon-to-be 30-year-old is confident he’ll be a dominant closer again.
“I think I will be the same guy.”
His return to that elite level is crucial for the Mets in 2024.
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Is Starling Marte completely healthy, capable of igniting Mets offense?
Diaz isn’t the only Mets player who needs to bounce back big time from injury this season.
Starling Marte must show that, at 35, he can still be a catalyst for this Mets offense. Last season was a lost one for Marte, who never seemed right after undergoing double groin surgery the previous winter. Marte lost his power and chased pitches out of the strike zone, cheating at the plate when trying to compensate for his physical limitations.
It was painful to watch. Marte batted a soft .248 with a .324 slugging percentage before shutting it down after playing 86 games. This after he was an All-Star in 2022, igniting the Mets out of the two-hole with a .292 batting average, .347 on-base percentage, .814 OPS, 16 home runs and 63 RBI.
“Watching him play (in Winter Ball), it’s clear he’s healthy,” Stearns said.
The Mets better hope that’s the case. So much of their success depends on Marte being healthy, so expect the Mets to be very cautious with him this spring.
How will Pete Alonso handle pressure of pending free agency?
Not unexpectedly, Stearns basically punted on trying to negotiate a contract extension with Pete Alonso during spring training or the season. Of course, that could lead to the slugging first baseman leaving New York as a free agent when the season ends.
So, like Aaron Judge with the Yankees two years ago, the pressure is on Alonso to handle the daily scrutiny he’ll face being unsigned past 2024. His track record of delivering the goods likely means Alonso will be just fine. But you never know.
Plus the Mets run the risk of alienating one of the best homegrown position players in franchise history. Perhaps the lack of contract talks will piss Alsonso off and have him seeking riches outside New York, where he’s beloved by the Mets faithful.
The specter of losing Alonso, who’s hit 40+ home runs and driven in 100+ runs three times in five MLB seasons should frighten the Mets no end. But all bets are off now, not even a deadline trade of the slugger, in the absence of negotiations.
Lets’ see how Alonso handles the pressure, beginning with the expected barrage of contract questions during spring training.