Spring Training is effectively over for the Mets. The regular season will begin against the Pirates at Citi Field.
The Mets turned over around a third of their roster. They are hoping to cure the issues that resulted in them missing the playoffs last season.
Rotation Stability and Key Players
The rotation must be better than a year ago. Last year, the Mets’ starting staffs collapsed in June. Freddy Peralta is now on the team to stabilise things. Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga still represent major what-ifs for the Mets.
The team will also look for Nolan McLean to continue developing into a superstar. Clay Holmes and David Peterson will be expected to provide steady veteran production.
Senga’s Comeback and Uncertainties
Senga needed to re-establish himself following injury-plagued down years in 2024 and ‘25. He did so with a 1.86 ERA over three Grapefruit League outings. He hit 99 mph on the radar gun and looked every bit the frontline starter he was back in 2023.
The regular season is quite another animal. Senga still must prove he can withstand the rigors of a long year. If he continues down this path, the Mets will have another top-of-the-rotation arm to pair with Peralta and McLean. But if he falters, the Mets have seen that before.
Early MVP Prediction
Juan Soto is predicted to be the Team MVP. He is considered one of the five best players in baseball. Soto was better in his Mets debut despite a change-of-scenery slump to start the year.
Soto has none of the lingering injury concerns that Francisco Lindor does. He’s still just 27. Soto decided he wanted to be better at stealing bases last year and wound up leading the league. He is motivated to win an NL MVP, and is good enough to do it.
McLean Tipped for Cy Young
Nolan McLean is predicted to be Team Cy Young. That’s no slight on Peralta, who will start Opening Day and has all the pedigree to be New York’s ace. McLean features some of the best pure stuff in baseball, which gives him a higher ceiling if he’s able to harness it.
The best version of this Mets team has McLean starting Game 1 of a playoff series. The potential is there for him to blossom into a Cy Young-caliber pitcher.
Bold Prediction for the NL East
There will be no NL East drama this year. No Game 162 theatrics.